West Memphis EMS honored at winter conference

WMFD commended for creative solution to staffing shortages

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

The City of West Memphis was recognized with an honorable mention at the Arkansas Municipal League’s 2025 Winter Conference held January 15–17 at the Statehouse Convention Center. The city’s partnership with Arkansas State University Mid-South to address a critical shortage of EMTs and paramedics earned accolades as part of the prestigious Trendsetter City Awards.

Presented annually by Arkansas Business in partnership with the Arkansas Municipal League, the Trendsetter City Awards highlight innovative and impactful programs across the state. Cities of all sizes are honored in categories such as Diversity and Inclusion, Education/Workforce Development, Public Works, and Infrastructure. West Memphis received recognition in the Education/Workforce Development category for its efforts to rebuild its emergency medical services program and improve healthcare outcomes for residents.

In 2021, West Memphis faced a dire situation. With only three paramedics on staff to handle more than 6,000 annual emergency medical calls, the city struggled to provide timely care. A nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics compounded the issue, leaving West Memphis dependent on mutual aid from nearby counties and private providers. Staffing gaps put immense strain on the city’s paramedics and limited the West Memphis Fire Department’s ability to meet growing demand.

To address the crisis, the WMFD partnered with ASU Mid-South to train local EMTs and paramedics. The partnership launched a tuition-free EMT program designed to recruit new firefighters, who are required to obtain licensure within six months of joining the department.

Since the program began, the city now operates three

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Several members of the WMFD and EMS were honored at the Arkansas Municiple League Winter Conference last week.

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ambulances per shift, significantly improving response times and ensuring residents receive quicker and safer medical care.

The department also introduced a Junior Firefighters program, led by Fire Inspector Malik Walker, which allows high school students as young as 17 to earn EMT certifications and gain handson experience in emergency services.

Chief of West Memphis EMS Chuck Brakensiek emphasized the importance of training local residents to serve in these critical roles. “We have been working with ASU Mid-South to bring more paramedics into the city. My hope was that by working with the local college, we would be able to recruit people from the area instead of going as far as Jonesboro or beyond,” he said.

Brakensiek highlighted how having homegrown EMTs can improve the quality of care and connection with the community. “A lot of times, being from here makes it feel more important to you. It was a big deal getting this partnership with the college.”

The program is tailored to the unique needs of firefighters, with the school accommodating their complex work schedules. Additionally, the fire department offers a scholarship program that covers tuition, books, and other expenses for two selected recruits annually. In return, graduates commit to serving the department for at least two years.

“This initiative is helping us build a stronger, more sustainable EMS workforce,” Brakensiek added.