| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
EMERGENCY INFORMATION RADIO STATIONS
August 12, 2010
COLUMBIA COUNTY, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors
have passed a resolution designating WCTW 98.5 FM, WCZR 93.5 FM and WHUC 1230 AM as official radio
channels for important information during a wide scale emergency in Columbia County.
Earlier this year, Sheriff Harrison, Fire Coordinator James VanDeusen, EMS Coordinator PJ Keeler, Director of
Emergency Management Bill Black, 911 Coordinator Robert Lopez and representatives from the New York State
Police and other local police agencies met with representatives from ClearChannel Radio of the Hudson Valley who
own the radio stations, all of which are transmitted from within Columbia County. A resolution was then submitted
through the Columbia County Legal Committee Chaired by Supervisor Pat Grattan, to the Board of Supervisors for
their consideration.
Since the “Ice Storm of 2008”, public safety agencies in Columbia County have been working to better their ability
to disseminate emergency information to residents of our county during a large scale county emergency situation.
It was found, especially during the ice storm when there were wide spread power outages, a number of residents
were using battery powered radios in their attempt to obtain emergency information on the location of shelters,
warming centers and weather forecasts.
ClearChannel agreed to “AIR” updated information every hour (or more if needed), during a county emergency.
These radio stations transmit within our county and will allow someone who may have only a handheld battery
powered radio during a county emergency with wide spread power outages, to receive vital information. In addition,
ClearChannel said that in the event that their ability to transmit in an emergency was compromised, they had the
ability to bring in a mobile transmitter if needed.
The Sheriff noted that the local news papers, regional radio and television stations, fire companies and other
organizations have always worked well with public safety agencies during emergencies. However, the addition of
local radio stations that residents know will “AIR” emergency information every hour is another significant resource.
In emergency situations, providing updated information to residents is vital in the effort of all public safety agencies
involved.
August 12, 2010
COLUMBIA COUNTY, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors
have passed a resolution designating WCTW 98.5 FM, WCZR 93.5 FM and WHUC 1230 AM as official radio
channels for important information during a wide scale emergency in Columbia County.
Earlier this year, Sheriff Harrison, Fire Coordinator James VanDeusen, EMS Coordinator PJ Keeler, Director of
Emergency Management Bill Black, 911 Coordinator Robert Lopez and representatives from the New York State
Police and other local police agencies met with representatives from ClearChannel Radio of the Hudson Valley who
own the radio stations, all of which are transmitted from within Columbia County. A resolution was then submitted
through the Columbia County Legal Committee Chaired by Supervisor Pat Grattan, to the Board of Supervisors for
their consideration.
Since the “Ice Storm of 2008”, public safety agencies in Columbia County have been working to better their ability
to disseminate emergency information to residents of our county during a large scale county emergency situation.
It was found, especially during the ice storm when there were wide spread power outages, a number of residents
were using battery powered radios in their attempt to obtain emergency information on the location of shelters,
warming centers and weather forecasts.
ClearChannel agreed to “AIR” updated information every hour (or more if needed), during a county emergency.
These radio stations transmit within our county and will allow someone who may have only a handheld battery
powered radio during a county emergency with wide spread power outages, to receive vital information. In addition,
ClearChannel said that in the event that their ability to transmit in an emergency was compromised, they had the
ability to bring in a mobile transmitter if needed.
The Sheriff noted that the local news papers, regional radio and television stations, fire companies and other
organizations have always worked well with public safety agencies during emergencies. However, the addition of
local radio stations that residents know will “AIR” emergency information every hour is another significant resource.
In emergency situations, providing updated information to residents is vital in the effort of all public safety agencies
involved.