Sterling Heights Michigan Emergency Advisory Radio Station

W I N T E R 2 0 0 1

case studies | news | techtalk

Sterling Heights, MI, Emergency Station


An antenna is placed near the Sterling Heights courthouse. The City provides a lift-truck. ISS mounts the antenna and tunes it by adjusting its length.	Joe Sturza (left) and Mike Crimmins of the Sterling Heights Emergency Management Center pose near their new antenna.

Sterling Heights' Emergency Services Manager Bob Johnson responds to a few questions about the new system...

1. Why did you decide to get a low-power radio system?

"The City chose the Informational Radio Station through monitoring of a radio station in Ohio the City Manager was listening to while driving through the state."

2. How will the system be used and managed, for example, what types of messages, how is the public made aware of the station, etc?

"Emergency Management utilizes the radio station for severe weather announcements [and] special emergency messages. During 9/11 [for example] we placed information over the radio station to the residents and businesses. The City uses the station for activities, special announcements on snow days and whether the employees should come to work. As an emergency manager, I have the ability to notify nearly the entire city population; where cable is . . . used by less than 50% of the population. Most everyone has a radio or emergency radio. The National Weather Services announcements interrupt radio transmissions every two minutes or so and alert the public, when severe weather is present [in our specified counties]. I can place emergency messages any time day or night."

3. What problems did you encounter and how were they resolved?

"I know of no problem with the installation or the company's response to the City's request."

ISS feels similarly, as evidenced in this comment by onsite technician Tom Coviak: "Mike Crimmins was very helpful and patient during the installation. He assisted with antenna tuning. The antenna is located in the yard of a courthouse. The control cabinet is in the basement of the court house. I was able to make adjustments outside using a bucket truck while talking with Mike via cell phone to determine the tuning. This saved time and physical stress. I've spoken with Mike since the installation. It is not uncommon for a customer to have some programming questions. I've reviewed their playlist, and they seem to have an exceptional understanding of the system's capabilities."

ISS owner Bill Baker feels the same: "City staff has a good grasp of how to fully utilize the system. ISS assisted with site location, licensing, provision of equipment and installation coordination and assistance.

Update

Sterling Heights, Michigan, uses Emergency Advisory Radio during the "Black Out of 2003" in Northeast.

Said broadcast services manager Mike Crimmins, "We did use our radio station extensively during the 'blackout 2003.' Our City Manager and Emergency Manager were very pleased with the battery back-up system. Even when the City phone system went off line we were able to update the messages with the phone at the transmitter location."

See a March 3, 2004, Detroit Free Press article summarizing Southfield, Michigan's, emergency advisory radio program and naming more than a dozen other recently acquired ISS stations in the Detroit area.

Related Links . . .

ALERT AM Emergency Advisory Radio System Mainpage