(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Education/Workforce Development
Honorable Mention • Over 20,000
Population: 23,825 | Mayor: Marco McClendon | County: Crittenden | Region: Northeast
The Challenge
In 2021, West Memphis had only three paramedics to cover 6,000 annual emergency medical calls, leaving the city reliant on mutual aid from surrounding counties and private care providers. A nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics worsened the situation. The city faced major staffing gaps, negatively impacting the West Memphis Fire Department’s ability to provide timely care for residents and putting enormous strain on the department’s paramedic team.
The Solution
West Memphis partnered with Arkansas State University – Mid-South to train local EMTs and paramedics. The program offers tuition-free EMT courses to new firefighters and requires these recruits to obtain licensure within six months. Since launching, West Memphis is now able to operate three ambulances per shift, providing quicker and safer medical emergency responses. Additionally, West Memphis Fire Inspector Malik Walker established a Junior FireFighters program at the department, allowing students as young as 17 to earn EMT certifications.
A 2022 American Ambulance Association study found that more than a third of EMT positions nationwide were unfilled.
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