The two departments collaborated with country rap musician “Big Smo” to fulfill multiple requests from social media followers to join in the lip sync challenge fun spreading across the nation.

“We might have been a little late to the game,” said MFRD Public Information Officer Ashley McDonald, “but I think the public will see that it was well worth the wait.”

McDonald contacted MPD Officer Skyler Harris about another matter and the conversation came up about doing a lip sync challenge video. McDonald told Harris there were plans in the works for MFRD to start filming. The two decided that a collaboration between the departments would be an awesome idea, highlighting the fact that they work together on a daily basis and it’s all about teamwork!

Despite joining the challenge a little later, the video took less than a week to produce after the concept was developed.

“We wanted to do something different,” McDonald said. “We didn’t want to choose songs that had already been used in the other challenges, we wanted something applicable to the work we do, and we wanted a ‘WOW’ factor.” ---That’s where “Smo” came in.

Smo, a huge supporter of public safety and military personnel, jumped at the opportunity to assist the departments with the challenge. His song “Workin,” which has millions of views on YouTube, was selected for its relevance to both agencies.

CityTV’s Michael Nevills and MFRD Firefighter and drone operator Jeff Clementi filmed the entire video and got amazing shots of both agencies at some familiar locations in Murfreesboro including the Doug Young Public Safety Training Center and MPD’s new Headquarters.

“We are very proud of the finished product,” said Harris. “This is a great opportunity for the Murfreesboro community to see public safety professionals in a different light. I hope we’ll have more opportunities in the future to ‘let our hair down’ and engage with the people we serve.”

The video is set to be released at noon on Friday, Aug. 10. It will first be released on the City of Murfreesboro’s Facebook page. Both departments will then post on their respective pages.

As for Smo, this was a rewarding experience for him. “It’s moments like this in your career that you know you are on the right path,” he said. “We all have heroes in our lives…those who fight for our freedom like my father did, but we also must never forget those who protect us on a daily basis…our Fire Rescue and Police personnel. It was my pleasure to work with these two departments.”

During a few scenes in the video, Smo can been seen wearing a “Boro Public Safety” Relay for Life Team shirt. He was touched by the department’s efforts to raise money locally for the American Cancer Society.

There is a “Smo” flag flown in the video a few times. It is now autographed by the artist and will be available for auction on a date to be announced.