This case study illustrates how one service-minded individual in Ohio made a difference by helping his community create its own radio station. With "seed" money and repurposed equipment from his own organization, local businessman Norm Schrein developed a combination Info/Emergency Advisory Radio Station that now reaches commuters in two counties. The station is completely commercial-free, used only for public service. It brings community news to the airwaves 24/7 and emergency instructions as necessary. 

In the interview below, Schrein shares how he accomplished his altruistic end. His model might spark ideas in your community, especially if lack of funding and emergency preparedness are at issue, as they are in many places these days. For communities short on cash, fundraising can be another very productive approach.

1. What is your role in your community and where are you located?

SCHREIN: "I'm a business owner, and I work with the local Chamber of Commerce and governmental agencies. The station will primarily serve southern Montgomery County and eastern Greene County to include the Cities of Dayton, Oakwood, Kettering, Centerville, Moraine, Beavercreek, Riverside, West Carrollton also Washington and Miami Townships."

2. What was the overall problem you were trying to solve by creating the new station?

SCHREIN: "The lack of a station to provide information on local events and/or a way of notifying residents or travelers in the case of an emergency. There was also a lack of the communities to fund or operate such a system on their own."

3. How was funding for the project arranged?

SCHREIN: "We did it all through our own company; however, I am now looking into available public funding through grants, etc." [See the ISS EM Funding Resource Guide.]

4. I understand you came to your community's rescue by providing an emergency radio service that could be made to pay for itself -- how was your project implemented?

SCHREIN: "Our approach was a bit unusual, as we offered the service to the communities free of charge, if they would place signs in public rights of way. The communities provide input on announcements of community events. We then record the announcements by members of the community -- this can be through a local broadcasting school or having "volunteer" readers on call who come to our office to read the material."

5. What do you see as the overall result of this effort?

SCHREIN: "It is too early to tell, but what started out as a 5-minute loop now runs anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the time of year. I thought the winter months would be slow but found out very quickly that there are all sorts of community events taking place during those months. The summer, of course, is busier."

6. What problems, if any, did you encounter and how were they resolved?

SCHREIN: "The only problem, and it wasn't really a problem, was convincing the cities that they should participate in the service. However, since there was not really a cash cost, the sell was a bit easier. Currently we have 28 signs throughout the community on major roadways notifying people of the service."

7. Have you had any response from those you serve regarding the new radio system?

SCHREIN: "The only response has been positive -- we now are getting consistent submissions of material and have found out through feedback that we apparently have quite a large audience."

8. How are your publics made aware of the station?

SCHREIN: "The main way has been by the signs erected by the communities. Also, if anyone rents a Hertz auto in Dayton, they will find a listing of radio stations in the Dayton area hooked to their rear view mirrors. We are listed there as well. We also have had some publicity in the community newspapers and are still awaiting stories in the major metro papers and TV news as well."

9. How has the station been used to date?

SCHREIN: "The station is operated 24 hours a day 7 days a week playing routine announcements. We also have a NOAA weather radio hooked up, so that if a weather alert or advisory is issued, that announcement will play until the advisory or warning is over. This is all done automatically. Additionally in the case of an on-going emergency, we would pull the routine programming and place information on the station that deals directly with the emergency." 

10. How do you plan to use it in the future if different?

SCHREIN: "This whole thing is still evolving. We are always open to new ideas and will look at them when they arrive." 

11. Where is the station positioned and why?

SCHREIN: "The station is positioned basically in the center of our service area and the reason for that is to provide the best coverage on the roadways in the community. Although the station can be heard on the interstates in the area, they are not really our primary area of concern, but instead it is the people who commute on the surface streets."

12. What does your station broadcast?

SCHREIN: "The station does not really tell the listeners to do anything. Instead it informs them of the many community events and activities occurring in the area. Most of these events might get just minor mention on the local media, but here we can have the announcement of the event every half hour or so." [See more on What May Be Broadcast according to the FCC.]

13. What advice do you have for emergency managers and volunteers in other communities who might be considering such a project and system?

SCHREIN: "Look outside government entities for someone with an interest in radio in the community to operate the station. Realize that emergencies do not happen that often, and it is a serious waste of the resources spent on such a station, if it is only used to convey emergencies or road construction. Put together a plan to make the station benefit the community on a wider basis."

14. What was your experience working with ISS?

SCHREIN: "The hand-holding of the company was excellent. I had plenty of questions on the licensing and operating of such a station, when we first started the project. ISS primarily took care of the licensing. We did purchase equipment through them as well. However, since we had some knowledge of radio station installations, we did that part ourselves."

15. What feature(s) do you like best about the product?

SCHREIN: "It works well. There is little if any maintenance required."