City of Jonesboro Wins 2025 Trendsetter Award for Technology and Security

JONESBORO, AR. — The City of Jonesboro has been named the 2025 Trendsetter Award winner for Technology and Security by the Arkansas Municipal League, highlighting the implementation of an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) program and its impact on public safety.

The accolade recognizes the extensive Emergency Medical Dispatch operation at the E-911 Communications Center, combining nationally accredited training with secure, technology-driven protocols to deliver immediate medical guidance to callers while first responders are enroute.

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While staffed and primarily funded by the city of Jonesboro, the E-911 Communications Center is a partnership program that serves not only the city’s more than 80,000 residents but also dispatches for all of Craighead County, supporting more than 116,000 residents across 707 square miles. The center ranks among the busiest in Arkansas, handling more than 155,000 calls annually.

“When you dial 911 in Jonesboro, it is more than a call for help, it’s the beginning of care,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “Our Emergency Medical Dispatch program ensures that care starts immediately, guided by trained professionals who understand that seconds matter. I’m incredibly proud of our E-911 team and our ongoing investment in public safety.”

Since launching in July 2025, the Emergency Medical Dispatch program recorded multiple confirmed saves through CPR guidance and other medical advisement.

As part of the EMD rollout, all 37 full-time E-911 telecommunicators completed 40 hours of specialized classroom and hands-on training, including anatomy and physiology, chief complaint assessment, stress management, legal standards, and quality assurance. Each dispatcher passed both written and practical examinations to become Emergency Medical Dispatch–certified, ensuring standardized and accountable care on every call.

The program operates using IntelliComm guidecard software, which provides real-time prompts to help dispatchers deliver precise pre-arrival instructions for CPR, choking, bleeding control, childbirth, AED use, and other medical emergencies. Jonesboro also integrated Cyracom language services, offering real-time interpretation in more than 200 languages, and supports Text-to-911, expanding access for residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to safely make a voice call.

“When someone calls 911, they’re often scared, panicked, and unsure what to do,” said Ronnie Sturch, Director of Jonesboro E-911. “This program ensures our telecommunicators can step in immediately with clear, lifesaving guidance — turning fear into action and giving people hope when it matters most.”

During the program’s first month of operation, Jonesboro dispatchers guided callers through CPR in multiple emergencies, including a case in which CPR instructions began within one minute of the call, a critical window that medical research shows can improve a patient’s chance of survival by as much as 30 to 40 percent. Each success reflects the program’s core mission: turning voices into guidance and seconds into saved lives.

The Arkansas Municipal League’s Trendsetter Awards recognize Arkansas cities that demonstrate innovation, measurable results, and the ability to serve as a model for other communities. Jonesboro was selected from cities with populations over 20,000 for its full-scale integration of technology, training, and accountability within public safety operations.

“This program is a testament to how working together with our neighboring communities, city councils and Craighead County leadership can directly save lives.” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “By combining technology with skilled, compassionate professionals, our Emergency Medical Dispatch program turns critical seconds into lifesaving action and that makes a real difference for families across our community.”

Jonesboro will be formally recognized by the Arkansas Municipal League at the 2026 Winter Conference.