JERSEY CITY – Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise announced today that Hudson County’s Office of Emergency Management will soon be able to begin operating a Travelers Information Radio Station on the AM dial. The new station was cleared for broadcast thanks to a ruling handed down this month by the Federal Communications Commission.
DeGise credited the work of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), in helping the County OEM work its way through the federal regulatory forest that comes with seeking approval for this kind of emergency government broadcast channel.
“Without the support of Frank Lautenberg, this station—one that will keep our residents safer in an emergency and better informed regarding local matters— would never have become a reality,” DeGise said.
The station will be used in conjunction with an $800,000 county emergency siren system now being deployed throughout Hudson County. The siren system and the radio station should be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2009. In an emergency, the sirens would sound throughout the county or in a specifically affected area, alerting people that they should tune in to the County radio station to receive instructions in a security-related or natural disaster, or other emergency situation from the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management. The expected cost for the radio station is $140,000.
"During natural disasters and national security emergencies, first responders and emergency management officials need to be able to communicate directly with the public," Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) said. "Travelers Information Stations are a quick and effective way to get critical information to local residents and travelers and I am proud we found a way for Hudson County to continue providing this essential
service."
In addition to emergency communications, the station will be able eventually to provide community service announcements, travel advisories and other useful public service information. But the primary mission of the station will be to ensure the public has clear information in a disaster or security emergency.
“We believe communication is a key element to successfully dealing with an emergency or natural disaster,” said Hudson County OEM Coordinator Jack Burns. “We are grateful for the County Executive’s leadership and Senator Lautenberg’s aggressive actions on this issue.”
Residents who would like to learn more about the new station can visit www.hudsoncountynj.org/oem as construction and testing move forward later this year.
DeGise credited the work of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), in helping the County OEM work its way through the federal regulatory forest that comes with seeking approval for this kind of emergency government broadcast channel.
“Without the support of Frank Lautenberg, this station—one that will keep our residents safer in an emergency and better informed regarding local matters— would never have become a reality,” DeGise said.
The station will be used in conjunction with an $800,000 county emergency siren system now being deployed throughout Hudson County. The siren system and the radio station should be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2009. In an emergency, the sirens would sound throughout the county or in a specifically affected area, alerting people that they should tune in to the County radio station to receive instructions in a security-related or natural disaster, or other emergency situation from the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management. The expected cost for the radio station is $140,000.
"During natural disasters and national security emergencies, first responders and emergency management officials need to be able to communicate directly with the public," Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) said. "Travelers Information Stations are a quick and effective way to get critical information to local residents and travelers and I am proud we found a way for Hudson County to continue providing this essential
service."
In addition to emergency communications, the station will be able eventually to provide community service announcements, travel advisories and other useful public service information. But the primary mission of the station will be to ensure the public has clear information in a disaster or security emergency.
“We believe communication is a key element to successfully dealing with an emergency or natural disaster,” said Hudson County OEM Coordinator Jack Burns. “We are grateful for the County Executive’s leadership and Senator Lautenberg’s aggressive actions on this issue.”
Residents who would like to learn more about the new station can visit www.hudsoncountynj.org/oem as construction and testing move forward later this year.
