Ark. Code Ann. § 20-22-801

It is found and determined by the General Assembly that a system of certification and classification of fire departments should be established to encourage the improvement of the fire protection services in this state and to provide the people of this state with information about the level of service they are receiving. It is further found and determined that the public policy of this state should be to encourage individuals and organizations to provide fire protection services and that, to further this policy, workers' compensation coverage should be extended to volunteer firefighters of rural fire departments and that the civil liability of certified fire departments and their firefighters should be limited.