MAUMELLE, Ark. — Agencies across Arkansas have spent the last year solidifying their plans for the total solar eclipse on April 8.
Safety is top of mind as they continue to prepare for the big day, and Maumelle is rolling out new equipment to protect the community better.
"If a lot of people show up for the events, and we hope they do, we hope people come to visit Maumelle," Maumelle Fire Chief Beau Buford said. "You're not going to be able to move vehicles in and out."
The Maumelle police and fire departments are ready to go off-roading if needed.
"We looked at electronic bikes or e-bikes that have stretcher capability, so if we had somebody hurt, we could put them on the stretcher," Buford said. "Then we can move them out to meet the ambulance or the fire truck... we also looked at some of the ATVs that had the capability to put a patient on."
Additionally, the fire department has three new AEDs for the bikes and spent $100,000 for everything.
"It's going to give us the best possible way to get to our visitors and our residents in the city," Buford said.
While the fire department is ready to respond quickly to remote areas for medical emergencies, the police department plans to manage the anticipated traffic issues.
"We've bought the equipment side by side," Capt. Dustin Ivey said. "We bought four electric bicycles, cones and traffic barricades to prepare."
Maumelle purchased all that equipment for about $70,000, but Ivey said it's not for a one-time use.
"Maumelle is the city full of trails [and] walking paths," Ivey said. "We have probably 25 miles, I would guess, of walking paths... that way, we can put officers on these bikes or side by side and get through there and be out in our community."
Ivey said the department should have all officers on duty for the eclipse and the days leading up to it.
"There's no vacation time scheduled for those four days," Ivey said. "We're going to be prepared for the worst, and hopefully, we can send people home early if there's not an influx of people here."
According to Buford, Maumelle is the place for anyone who wants to view the solar eclipse.
"If you're thinking about where to go for the solar eclipse, Maumelle is a place we hope you keep in mind," Buford said. "We have your safety in mind."
Maumelle will experience totality for three minutes and 17 seconds. Click here to learn more about the city's eclipse festival.