board members

The men and women keeping the memorial alive.

We are extremely grateful for our board members who help keep the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial running, making sure the men and women who made great sacrifices for Arkansas are not forgotten.

joel hess

chairman

2017 - June 2018:  Asst Chief Administration Sheridan Fire Department


2009 - 2017:  Captain / Training Officer Sheridan Fire Department


2009 - Present:  Arkansas State Firefighter Association Member


2010 - 2019:  Arkansas Fire Chief's Association Member


2013 - Present:  Secretary & Treasurer Grant County Mutual Aid Fire Association


2019 - Present:  Training Officer Prattsville Fire Department


2022 - Present:  Chairman AFFM


2022 - Present:  Arkansas Association of Fire Chief's Member

Kevin Kilcrease

vice chairman

1977 - 1997:  Crossett Fire Department , Retired Assistant Chief


1999 - 2007:  Arkansas Forestry Commission, Ranger Ashley County


2007 -2012:  Arkansas Fire Training Academy, Rookie School Coordinator


2013 - Present:  Arkansas Forestry Commission, Firewise Coordinator, serving as Staff Development Coordinator

jackie warren

secretary, treasurer, poi

1995-2004: IAM&AW Local 2907-SWA


2001 - Present: Arkansas Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Volunteer, Fundraiser, Event Organizer, Public Information Officer, Grant Writer, & Board Member

Bill James

2022-Present: Member of North Pulaski Fire Department


2018-2024: Arkansas Forestry Commission


2015-2018: Arkansas Department of Emergency Management


1999-2015: Jacksonville Fire Department Retired Captain/Paramedic

jackie warren

secretary, treasurer, poi

1995-2004:  IAM&AW Local 2907-SWA


2001 - Present:  Arkansas Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Volunteer, Fundraiser, Event Organizer, Public Information Officer, Grant Writer, & Board Member

Bill James

Title

2022-Present:  Member of North Pulaski Fire Department


2018-2024:  Arkansas Forestry Commission


2015-2018:  Arkansas Department of Emergency Management


1999-2015:  Jacksonville Fire Department Retired Captain/Paramedic


Bradley Vick

title
2024-Present: Captain/ Training Officer at Camp Robinson Fire Dept.
2016-2024: Firefighter Camp Robinson Fire
2016-Present: Assistant Chief/ Fire Marshal Arch Street Fire Dept.
2014-2016: DynCorp Intl.- Fire Crew Chief 
2009-2014: Arkansas Fire Academy Instructor for Basic Standards Class
Professional Affiliations:
Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial Board: Representative for Arkansas Firefighters Association 
Arkansas Firefighters Association- Central Chapter President
Arkansas Fire Marshals Association-Board Member
International Assoc. of Arson Investigators
International Assoc. of Arson Investigators- Arkansas Chapter
Arkansas Fire Chiefs Assoc.
Pulaski Country Firefighters Assoc.- Board Member


Bradley Vick

title
2024-Present: Captain/ Training Officer at Camp Robinson Fire Dept.
2016-2024: Firefighter Camp Robinson Fire
2016-Present: Assistant Chief/ Fire Marshal Arch Street Fire Dept.
2014-2016: DynCorp Intl.- Fire Crew Chief 
2009-2014: Arkansas Fire Academy Instructor for Basic Standards Class
Professional Affiliations:
Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial Board: Representative for Arkansas Firefighters Association 
Arkansas Firefighters Association- Central Chapter President
Arkansas Fire Marshals Association-Board Member
International Assoc. of Arson Investigators
International Assoc. of Arson Investigators- Arkansas Chapter
Arkansas Fire Chiefs Assoc.
Pulaski Country Firefighters Assoc.- Board Member


Rachel Nix

Rachel started in the fire service at 16 as a volunteer, and later as a part paid with Camden Fire Department with 47 total years in the fire service.


She received her Associate Degree from SAU-Tech in 1980 in Fire Science.


She taught in the Firefighter Standards program “Rookie School” for 20 years as well as working as a regional coordinator.


In 2001, she was promoted to Assistant Director and promoted to Director in 2005.


In 2002, Rachel was inducted into the Arkansas Firefighters Hall of Fame.


In 2020, Rachel received the Arkansas State Fire Fighters Association Presidents award in recognition of Outstanding service, achievements and contributions to the Firefighters profession.


Rachel Nix retired as Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in March of 2022.


Rachel has been a long time supporter of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial. In 2006 she received the ultimate honor of being one of the models for the Memorial statues. In 2022, she was appointed to The Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial Board.



Rachel has been married to her husband Wayne for 45 years. She has two children, son, David and

daughter, Katie as well as two grandsons Gavin, 9 and Owen 3.

Seth Rainwater

Seth Rainwater is the President of the Arkansas Professional Firefighters Association. The APFF is a labor organization that represents 70% of the paid firefighters in Arkansas.


Seth serves the International Association of Firefighters in numerous international committees such as:

The IAFF Emergency Operations Committee, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the IAFF think-tank on redesigning bunker gear. Seth also serves as an Assistant Chief at the El Dorado Fire Department currently assigned to the training division. Seth is married (Rebecca) with 2

children (Grace and Jake).

Rachel Nix

Title

Rachel started in the fire service at 16 as a volunteer, and later as a part paid with Camden Fire Department with 47 total years in the fire service.


She received her Associate Degree from SAU-Tech in 1980 in Fire Science.


She taught in the Firefighter Standards program “Rookie School” for 20 years as well as working as a regional coordinator.


In 2001, she was promoted to Assistant Director and promoted to Director in 2005.


In 2002, Rachel was inducted into the Arkansas Firefighters Hall of Fame.


In 2020, Rachel received the Arkansas State Fire Fighters Association Presidents award in recognition of Outstanding service, achievements and contributions to the Firefighters profession.


Rachel Nix retired as Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in March of 2022.


Rachel has been a long time supporter of the Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial. In 2006 she received the ultimate honor of being one of the models for the Memorial statues. In 2022, she was appointed to The Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial Board.


Rachel has been married to her husband Wayne for 45 years. She has two children, son, David and daughter, Katie as well as two grandsons Gavin, 9 and Owen 3.


Seth Rainwater

Title

Seth Rainwater is the President of the Arkansas Professional Firefighters Association. The APFF is a labor organization that represents 70% of the paid firefighters in Arkansas.


Seth serves the International Association of Firefighters in numerous international committees such as: The IAFF Emergency Operations Committee, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the IAFF

thinktank on redesigning bunker gear. Seth also serves as an Assistant Chief at the El Dorado Fire Department currently assigned to the training division. Seth is married (Rebecca) with 2 children (Grace and Jake).

Tim Nutley

2000-2006 -  Custer Volunteer Fire Department, firefighter/ instructor.


2007-2009 -  Waldron City Fire Department, firefighter.


2000-2006 -  U.S. Forest Service Assistant Engine Captain.


2006-2019 -  U. S. Forest Service. District Fire Management Officer.


2019-2023 -  U.S Forest Service, Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer.


2023- Present –  Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division, Training Supervisor.

past board members

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