MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (September 16, 2024) The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) and Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) have announced the expansion of their Public Safety Public Information Office with the recent hiring of Dana J. Smith as the Assistant Public Information Officer for Public Safety. Smith started her new role on September 9 and will report directly to Public Safety Public Information Director Larry Flowers. Flowers has managed PIO duties for MPD, MFRD, and the Murfreesboro Emergency Communications Center for the past five years.
“Smith has an extensive background in communications and marketing and will be a great addition to the City of Murfreesboro,” said Flowers. “She will make an immediate impact with helping to manage social media platforms and the newly redesigned websites for the fire and police departments.”
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Smith’s previous roles include serving as the Development Director for local non-profit Journeys in Community Living and as a Communications and Marketing Specialist for Tennessee State University’s SNAP-Ed program. Her professional background encompasses media management, marketing, and crisis communications. Before moving to Middle Tennessee, Smith was a Journalism professor at two Arkansas universities. Additionally, she has served as the Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Pine Bluff Mayor’s Office, where she managed media and crisis communication, and as Public Affairs and Marketing Coordinator for Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Her early career included roles as a news reporter for the Pine Bluff Commercial in Pine Bluff, AR, and as an assistant producer for the morning show at KAIT-TV 8 in Jonesboro, AR.
“My experience in media, marketing, and crisis communications will be valuable in my new role as the Assistant Public Information Officer for Public Safety with the City of Murfreesboro,” said Smith. “I look forward to managing social media and coordinating communications for both the fire and police departments.”
An Arkansas native, Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from Arkansas State University. She will be working from the PIO office at the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department Administration building on N. Thompson Lane. For media and public inquiries, Smith and Flowers can be contacted at [email protected].
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City Council Reviews Upcoming Road Projects
The City Council Workshop held on September 12, 2024, featured a presentation by Public Infrastructure Executive Director Chris Griffith on four major road improvement projects: Rucker Lane Phase II, Old Fort Parkway widening, Blackman Road & Burnt Knob Intersection, and Asbury Lane Realignment. Detailed plans will be available in a CityTV video starting September 17, and an interactive online map showcasing current and planned enhancements is accessible via the City’s website. These projects aim to improve traffic flow and roadway conditions across Murfreesboro.