West Memphis Upgrades Communication

(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.) 

Technology and Security
Winner • Over 20,000

The Challenge

The city of West Memphis’ police force is operating on a commercial grade, non-P25 compliant radio system that is over 15 years old. The system is failing, and parts are no longer available to repair it. The city’s fire department operates on a digital and analog combination system. Other operations, such as the airport and animal control, operate on individual systems, all of which are dated and in poor condition and cannot communicate with each other.

The Solution

In 2021, West Memphis got word it would receive $6,639,347 from the American Rescue Plan, and the city’s office of emergency management communicated with the mayor’s office to request funding for public safety communications projects. The mayor designated $2 million to the City of West Memphis Interoperable Communication Project. The city will move to the Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN), allowing total interoperability for all city departments and communications with neighboring cities and jurisdictions.

Safety First

In this project, the city’s communications will upgrade from their current four-channel site to a six-channel simulcast site. It will be the first time all public safety agencies in Crittenden County have operated on the same system.

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