Do you ever wonder how many systems are in place to warn the public? Depending on where you are, it can range from nothing to many. Here in Garfield County besides the normal 4-5 systems that we use, we have added another that puts us into an area that has been a weak point for us for many years.

This system is called viaRadio. It utilizes an infrastructure that is already in place and can really enhance the warning capabilities for all emergency management. This system used in conjunction with local radio stations allows us to send messaging over their station to special radios. This system sends text warning messages via an FM sub-carrier frequency. The special chip inside each receiver allows the emergency message to be received whether the radio is on or off. It also can send a message to an e-mail address and/or individual cell phone. If power is disrupted, the radio has a battery backup and should hold a charge, with the radio in the “off “position for approximately 48-60 hours.

The Viaradio warning system will be used for warning all schools, daycare facilities, businesses, and all emergency services of impending severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, Amber alerts and any other emergencies. Enid Fire, all the Rural Fire Departments and Life EMS will utilize this system as a back up for dispatch and recalling personnel back to work in the event of a major incident.

Garfield County Emergency Management is the first in this part of the United States and in Oklahoma to have an operational system. We have done very extensive testing of the system and our input to officials at viaRadio will help other agencies enhance their systems. The viaRadio personnel have been great to work with and they are very supportive to our requests.

Due to grants and donations received from Integris Bass Hospital for $6,000.00, The Enid Community Foundation for $5,000.00, The Local Emergency Planning Committee for $1200.00, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for $5,000.00, The Jr. Welfare League for $2500.00, Hiland Partners for $1000.00, Continental Resources for $1000.00, and Oklahoma Natural Gas for $500.00, we have been able to purchase the hardware and the receivers. Emergency Management is handing out the radios at NO CHARGE while supplies last. There is a strong possibility of receiving additional funds from the several other business entities. Those are pending at this time. The money that we have already received is being utilized to get radios into all of the Garfield County public schools and a few day care facilities. If we get the additional funding, then we will be able to complete all private schools, plus all the day care facilities. We also intend to put these warning radios at all ballparks, the Expo Center, Mark Price Arena, assisted living facilities, and anywhere people gather throughout the county and hopefully beyond. We know that we can provide adequate warning with these radios distributed.

Enid/Garfield County Emergency Management Director and LEPC Chairman Mike Honigsberg, is getting the warning radios distributed. Enid Public Schools have received all of theirs and all the rural schools receivers are delivered. We will be delivering a few radios into Grant County in the near future. We have 127 radios distributed at this time. If we had a major area wide emergency or larger, we could notify thousands of people in a very short amount of time.

We don’t have the luxury of television stations in our area that “watch “over us like the stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Emergency Management is in the Public Safety and Warning Business. We believe in informing and educating our public. We feel that the more informed and educated our public is, then the better they can protect their families, businesses, and friends. This system will help do just that. By sending advisories, warnings, alerts, etc, we will be able to keep the public aware of virtually any hazard that may occur.

We would like to see the businesses here in Garfield County purchase a radio for their business. We know many businesses have hundreds of employees and if one radio was placed in the central office and a warning was issued, the emergency procedures set forth by each company would be put into action.

Kyle Williams at Williams Broadcasting has graciously allowed us to put our equipment at the KOFM 103.1 radio studio’s and tower. Kyle believes in public safety and we appreciate the fact that he is willing to help us. We are also in the process of testing a back up system in the event the KOFM system goes down. It won’t have the total range that KOFM has but it will cover Garfield County. The main system will cover an area approximately 30-40 miles in any direction from the KOFM tower. We have purchased another encoder as a secondary system. We will have it on another station here in Garfield County soon.

The most important factor concerning this system is that we are very serious about public safety and the warning capabilities we have utilized and put into service over the years. This system is another way to enhance what we already have and is a first line warning system for our citizens. If we save one life with this system, it is worth it.

Any organization or individual that is interested in purchasing a radio/receiver and if you have questions and would like to see a demonstration please contact Mike Honigsberg at 580-249-5969 or email at gcemcd21@sbcglobal.net or mhonigsberg@enid.org.

The Viaradio Company has stated that citizens can purchase directly from them too. The cost of the radio is $100.00. Contact Sean Crane at area code 321-242-0001 ext 116 or email SeanCrane@viaradio.com

www.viaradio.com