PBF&ES holds Junior Fire Camp

A large group of kids and adults, wearing matching shirts, pose in front of a fire truck from Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services.
Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services personnel, including Fire Chief Randy Compton (center), along with Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers (center), pose with Junior Fire Camp participants in front of the city's largest fire engine, Ladder 1, on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Station 1 in downtown Pine Bluff. 

Dozens of kids swarmed Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services' Station 1 on the morning of Monday, June 8, 2026, as part of the Junior Fire Camp program. 

The weeklong camp has drawn almost 50 kids this year.

"We are excited to give back to the community and help our youths learn more about the city and their fire department," said Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services' Public Information Specialist John Worthen. "It's fun for the kids and for us as well. And we are teaching them important messages they can take with them for the rest of their lives."

Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Lt. Larry Murray guided campers through Station 1 for almost an hour, where they saw the state's tallest firepole and sat behind the wheel of Ladder 1, the city's largest fire truck.

Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers briefly visited with campers to take a photo, telling them to do as much learning as possible this summer.

Campers also saw Fire Chief Randy Compton and other Station 1 personnel before moving on to the city's other fire stations aboard Pine Bluff Transit's bright red trolley.

The rest of the week will be filled with activities at the Donald W. Reynolds Center, where campers will learn about online and fire safety, among other things.

A large group of kids and adults, wearing matching shirts, pose in front of a fire truck from Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services.
A girl is sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle, smiling and posing with a friend in the background.
A group of children tours a fire truck, learning about fire equipment and safety from a firefighter in Pine Bluff.
A young person is happily seated in the driver's seat of a fire truck, holding the steering wheel.
May contain: female, girl, person, teen, car, transportation, vehicle, cushion, home decor, and driving
A group of children in matching shirts gathers at the Joe Thomas Public Safety Facility, listening to an adult speaker.
A fire truck is parked outside, with a firefighter speaking to a group of children in matching t-shirts during a tour.
A group of kids in matching blue "Summer 2026 Junior Fire Camp" shirts are posing playfully in a garage setting.
Two children are sitting in a fire truck's cabin, one using a phone while wearing headphones.
Kids in matching T-shirts participate in activities at a summer camp, with some playing nearby and others interacting.
A firefighter interacts with children, showing tools from a fire truck, promoting education about firefighting equipment.
Three girls are inside a fire truck, smiling and posing for the camera while dressed in matching T-shirts.
A group of children listens to a speaker in a room with a large screen and a flag. Educational discussion is taking place.
A boy is sitting in the driver's seat of a fire truck, smiling and interacting with the controls inside the cab.
A group of children in T-shirts attends a summer camp at a fire station, listening to a woman speaking near a fire truck.
A young boy sits in the driver's seat of a fire truck, appearing focused and engaged in the moment.
A large group of kids and adults, wearing matching shirts, pose in front of a fire truck from Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services.
A girl is sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle, smiling and posing with a friend in the background.
A group of children tours a fire truck, learning about fire equipment and safety from a firefighter in Pine Bluff.
A young person is happily seated in the driver's seat of a fire truck, holding the steering wheel.
May contain: female, girl, person, teen, car, transportation, vehicle, cushion, home decor, and driving
A group of children in matching shirts gathers at the Joe Thomas Public Safety Facility, listening to an adult speaker.
A fire truck is parked outside, with a firefighter speaking to a group of children in matching t-shirts during a tour.
A group of kids in matching blue "Summer 2026 Junior Fire Camp" shirts are posing playfully in a garage setting.
Two children are sitting in a fire truck's cabin, one using a phone while wearing headphones.
Kids in matching T-shirts participate in activities at a summer camp, with some playing nearby and others interacting.
A firefighter interacts with children, showing tools from a fire truck, promoting education about firefighting equipment.
Three girls are inside a fire truck, smiling and posing for the camera while dressed in matching T-shirts.
A group of children listens to a speaker in a room with a large screen and a flag. Educational discussion is taking place.
A boy is sitting in the driver's seat of a fire truck, smiling and interacting with the controls inside the cab.
A group of children in T-shirts attends a summer camp at a fire station, listening to a woman speaking near a fire truck.
A young boy sits in the driver's seat of a fire truck, appearing focused and engaged in the moment.

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PBF&ES participates in anti-violence event

Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services members manned a booth at the 3rd Annual Wear Orange event held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Friday, June 5. The event is designed to raise awareness against gun violence. 

A firefighter interacts with two children in a home setting, where they appear curious or engaged in a conversation.
A group of children in bright orange shirts and firefighter hats pose for a photo at an event, smiling and interacting.
A community event with adults in orange shirts engaging kids at a table, discussing fire safety and careers in emergency services.
A group event with children in orange shirts, a man at a table with a fire extinguisher, and kids playing with a toy fire helmet.
A firefighter interacts with two children in a home setting, where they appear curious or engaged in a conversation.
A group of children in bright orange shirts and firefighter hats pose for a photo at an event, smiling and interacting.
A community event with adults in orange shirts engaging kids at a table, discussing fire safety and careers in emergency services.
A group event with children in orange shirts, a man at a table with a fire extinguisher, and kids playing with a toy fire helmet.

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Captain Ventress honored for years of service

Three individuals stand together in front of a Pine Bluff Fire backdrop, with one holding an award plaque recognizing efforts.

Congratulations to Captain Juan Ventress for 36.7 years of service. Ventress was honored with a plaque presented to him by Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers during a ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Fire Station 3.

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Assistant Chief Jones honored for years of service

Three individuals pose together, celebrating Ernest Jones, an Assistant Chief, for 33 years of service with Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services.

Congratulations to Assistant Chief Ernest Jones for 33 years of service.  Jones was honored with a plaque presented to him by Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers during a ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Fire Station 3.

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Battalion Chief Pinkins honored for years of service

A ceremony honoring Edward Pinkins for 35+ years of service with Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services, featuring officials and a plaque.

Congratulations to Battalion Chief Edward Pinkins for 35.19 years of service. Pinkins was honored with a plaque presented to him by Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers during a ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Fire Station 3.

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PBF&ES holds promotion ceremony 

A group photo of firefighters and officials at a Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services event, showcasing camaraderie and service.

Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services promoted 12 personnel on Monday, May 18, 2026, in a ceremony at Station 3.

Those promoted were:

  • James Maurer, Lieutenant
  • Keith White, Lieutenant
  • Carnell Greenlaw, Engineer
  • Colton Jones, Engineer
  • Dennis Glason, Engineer
  • Austyn Hampton, Engineer
  • Weldon Rawlings, Engineer
  • Keyvionte Brooks, Engineer
  • Charles Derby, Engineer
  • Blake Barnes, Engineer
  • Joseph Childers, Engineer
  • Kevin Lightsey, Engineer

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Chief Compton honored for years of service

A fire chief receives an award for 34 years of service from a woman at an event, with an American flag in the background.

Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers honored Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Chief Randy Compton on Monday, May 18, 2026, with a plaque celebrating 32.45 years of service

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Walmart donates televisions to PBF&ES

A group of people pose with two TV boxes in front of a Walmart, standing between a white vehicle and a fire truck.

We would like to express our gratitude to Store Manager Chris Forgety and the employees of Walmart store #3331 for their donation of two 65" smart TVs to PBF&ES.