Region G training coordinator: Mark A. Arnold of Thayer, Missouri

Interim Director Kevin D. Zumwalt of the University of Missouri’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) has announced the appointment of a new Regional Training Coordinator for the Institute for Region G: Mark A. Arnold of Thayer, Missouri. Regional Training Coordinator positions are part-time positions within the Institute. MU FRTI is a unit within the Division of Extension at the University and is charged with the responsibility for providing comprehensive continuing education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. MU FRTI provides training for over 13,000 firefighters and emergency responders each year.

Retired Region G training coordinator: Roy Sims of West Plains, MissouriMark is the Chief of the Thayer Fire Department; Emergency Management Director for the City of Thayer and a retired Technology Education Instructor with the Thayer R-II Public schools for 30 years. Mark has been an Adjunct Instructor with MU FRTI since 2000 and was the recipient of the MU FRTI Instructor of the Year Award in 2015. Mark will be responsible for coordinating training courses in Missouri State Highway Patrol Region G (South Central Missouri) which includes the counties of Carter, Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas and Wright. Regarding Arnold’s appointment as a Regional Training Coordinator, MU FRTI Interim Director Zumwalt said, "Mark has been an active Adjunct Instructor for MU FRTI with a passion for teaching and to serve and give back to the community. He will be an asset for that region to assist fire departments and emergency responders with their training needs."

Coordinator Arnold fills the vacancy left by the retirement of MU FRTI Regional Training Coordinator Roy Sims of West Plains, Missouri. Roy has been an Adjunct Instructor for MU FRTI since 2003 and has served as the Regional Training Coordinator for Region G since 2011. Interim Director Zumwalt said, “Roy has been very active in the Institute’s LP Gas Program and we appreciate his contribution to the success of that program along with his dedicated work in Region G.” While Roy is stepping down as a Regional Coordinator, he will remain on our staff as an Adjunct Instructor.