RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station

RadioSTAT^TM Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Travelers Information Station / Highway Advisory Radio
AEL/SEL Category 04AP-09-ALRT	Download a printable RadioSTAT summary.

Capabilities
During public health and safety emergencies, take a RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Station into critical areas and speak directly to citizens via standard radio receivers. RadioSTAT can be a lifesaver, allowing the broadcast of critical instructions and information regarding, for example... Disasters/Evacuations. Medical Emergencies (hospital surge, points of distribution field information, quarantine isolation, decontamination). Terrorist/Shooter Incidents. HAZMAT and Traffic Information. Critical Public Safety Instructions. Road Construction/Infrastructure Failures. AMBER Alerts. Built for speed and portability, RadioSTAT electronics are housed in high-impact, weather-resistant cases. The quick-erect antenna system folds up, allowing the entire station to be set up in 10 minutes by one person. RadioSTAT is FCC-licensed. The signal is typically announced to the public by FASTrack (pictured right) or other portable signs, positioned at the periphery of the coverage area. Motorists receive broadcasts on standard vehicle radios, over 25-75 square miles. The stations are priced affordably so multiple units can be deployed simultaneously at different locations during an emergency as required.	Portability becomes an instant asset during emergencies, allowing re-establishment of the signal from a new location quickly. Portability also makes RadioSTAT especially useful at large public gatherings for broadcasting key information, i.e., schedules, traffic, parking, safety and critical instructions for patrons approaching or exiting. Programming may be controlled using flash drives through a USB port and may also be uploaded via Ethernet from a network or a laptop computer. If you operate RadioSTAT at a fixed location, when it is not required in the field, the network capability makes this asset all the more valuable. During non-emergency times, officials often operate from a fixed location via the VP9000 Vertical Profile Antenna (see Options below). This helps familiarize citizens with the frequency. Regular FCC-allowed messages may be broadcast during those times. See more about permitted content.
Key Advantages
Third-party companies are not needed for continuing service, carrier or activation fees, and, therefore, do not need to be relied upon during emergencies. When the AC grid goes down, RadioSTAT still works if operated on a generator or battery pack; and receivers are in vehicles. AM radio methodology has been active for 80 years and is not likely to be supplanted anytime soon. Citizens do not need to purchase special devices to receive RadioSTAT messages. RadioSTAT stations allow public officials to speak directly to drivers without distracting text messages on portable devices.	Radio messages vastly supersede text services in the sheer amount of information and level of detail that may be delivered efficiently. This aural medium also allows officials to speak to the public in a natural, person-to-person way that might be calming during an emergency. RadioSTAT comes in an easy-to-go format but may be used in a fixed location when not needed on the road. Its low price makes it accessible, so communities can afford more than one to cover their areas.
See features exclusive to RadioSTAT in the marketplace.
Testimonials
"Deployment went quickly and was completed in about 20 minutes. The coverage was phenomenal and absolutely unbelievable that a 10-watt station could be heard nearly 6 miles away in an urban environment with many tall buildings. Overall, the system was an excellent investment." John Black, Wireless Communications Manager City of Long Beach, CA "Recently we purchased one of the Information Station Specialists RadioSTAT Portable Emergency Advisory Radio Stations. From the beginning of the transaction through the receipt and setup of the product, Information Station Specialists has shown to be in a class by themselves. You would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated customer oriented team anywhere in any field. Their expertise and care have gone well above any expectations I had. The product itself mirrors that same professionalism and expertise...." Robert Cohen, Director Maine Township Office of Emergency Management Park Ridge, IL	"...We are using our info radio station [RadioSTAT] on 1640 kHz for the second year to broadcast information during the National High School Rodeo Finals (NHSRF). We use it with wonderful success to broadcast traffic information, emergency information and daily event schedules." David Johnson, Emergency Manager Sweetwater County - Rock Springs, WY "We are 'live' and operating here in Portola Valley, and the reaction by the community is very positive. Our town manager now does the updates on his own! Big success here." Ray Rathrock, Chair Emergency Committee - Portola Valley, CA "There seems to be a pattern of great customer service with your company." Michael Borowiec Equipment and Technology Consultant Region 2 Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Who Uses RadioSTAT
RadioSTAT is increasingly a standard communication tool for public health and safety agencies across the nation. A few examples are listed below.
County Public Health: Public health departments in 27 states, at this writing (2014), have RadioSTAT capability. Los Angeles County has a roaming station, deployable anywhere within this populous area on a moment's notice to inform motorists queuing at vaccine distribution points. Bucks County (PA), Williamson County (TX) and Worcester County (MA )have multiple units. Comments Allen County (IN) emergency preparedness director Brad Witte: "We will use the RadioSTAT radio to provide the citizens of Allen County with public health information in conjunction with field clinics that we might need to set up in response to public health emergencies, such as the recent pandemic. These instructions will include directions to our field clinics, information on how to proceed through the clinics and what to expect once they arrive, as well as medical information about the public health emergency and where to obtain further information." Allen County used an H1N1 grant to fund purchase of their equipment. Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Various hospitals such as Porter Health in Indiana and STRAC (Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council) have RadioSTAT units at the ready to communicate with the public in an emergency. County Emergency Management: Many US counties have a RadioSTAT unit that can be set up in an emergency, and a number of counties such as Sweetwater County (WY) have several. In Sweetwater County, an 11,000 square-mile district, there are three RadioSTAT units to get emergency messages "to the public who miss receiving information from other sources." States Sweetwater's coordinator of emergency management Judy Valentine: "We will provide updated information using these systems; and, in addition, we will deploy them when we activate our mobile command post or CERT animal rescue, shelter or other volunteer teams. We also plan to use them for civic and public health events, disaster exercises and a multitude of other activities. We're fairly certain we will find more uses for them than [first] imagined possible." Sweetwater County funded their RadioSTAT purchase through an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and County funds on a 50/50 split.	State Agencies: North Dakota Emergency Management owns three RadioSTAT units that it can deploy anywhere in the state on a moment’s notice, whenever public safety is at risk. In other states, such as Indiana and West Virginia, various county-owned RadioSTAT units are licensed with a statewide operating territory with the intent of sharing the resource with other counties in the state as required. In West Virginia, counties comprising Homeland Security Region 4 employ 8 independent RadioSTAT systems. Each station has a fixed antenna allowing it to operate at a specific site in each county and a portable FCC license, so it can roam anywhere in West Virginia. Says Marvin Hill of Randolph County Emergency Management: " During emergency and or disastrous situations, we will provide information on the event and safety rules to follow to protect the lives and property of our residents and/or visitors. During non-life threatening events, [to inform and educate the public and develop an on-air presence] we will provide information on general conditions throughout the County [that might affect travel in the areas served]." Communities: such as Portola Valley (CA), Mantoloking (NJ) and Burien (WA) operate RadioSTAT units with a fixed antenna − with the expectation that it might need to move out on a moment’s notice. The RadioSTAT is unplugged from the fixed antenna and paired with its portable antenna system when deployment in another location is required or the system must be evacuated. Fire Districts: Yosemite National Park and the USDA use RadioSTAT for fire applications in Utah. Also, when emergencies occur in communities surrounding Lake Tahoe, motorists tend to line up end-to-end, sandwiched between steep cliffs and the lakeshore, unable to turn around or exit the line. The District keeps three RadioSTAT stations on their Public Information Trailers for quick deployment when and where needed. States Chris Stulik, assistant to the Lake Tahoe District's public information officer: “These [RadioSTAT] transmitters will broadcast where the treatment centers are as well as our local ‘emergency number'.... The RadioSTATs are an excellent source when coupled with the electronic changeable signs we have, to let the public know where to receive vaccinations in the event of an outbreak.”
See a listing of emergency advisory radio stations across America.	*See also the "RadioSTAT Offers Lost Piece of Interoperability," Fire Chief Magazine* article**.
Basic Equipment Package	Options
TR6000 HQ5.0^TM Transmitter / Message Player in portable shock case, containing broadcast control electronics. PowerPlane^TM Portable Antenna System and stand with coaxial cable and stabilizing sand bags. Six Flash Drives in carrying case. Live Microphone and Cable. Equipment Pouches and Stowing Bags for mics, cables and antennas. Customizable Equipment Management Tags. Set-Up Tools. Illustrated Instructions and training CD. An Array of services that includes system planning/engineering, 24/7 remote technical support and Potential Interference Notification Service (PINS) for the life of the station. See Technical Specifications webpage for details. See also the Limitations webpage for FCC-related implications.	Audio Management Software, Recording Headset and Mic (recommended). Fixed VP9000^TM Vertical Profile Antenna System. Antenna Height Extender for terrain / interference / obstruction-challenged areas. 2X Signal Booster^TM offers up to double the efficiency / range of the station’s antenna, allowing the transmitter to run at less wattage or allowing the signal to have twice the signal intensity at a given distance. It functions with upper-band (typ:1610-1700 kHz) antennas only and is recommended for federal government agencies that do not have a signal intensity limitation; also for any operator in a challenging environment that requires maximum signal intensity to cut through woods, buildings and obstructions. (Note: Local government licensees must seek a waiver of the FCC rules to allow a signal intensity above the standard 2.0 mV/m limitation.) Signal Measurement Radio^TM Receiver that allows the operator to measure the radio station’s signal intensity and verify compliance with FCC rules. IP-Based Audio Control – network-based audio program control (with flash-drive backup) and an audio management software suite. StreamCasts^SM – network audio interface and related components that allow streaming of broadcasts directly on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. Listeners get to the stream by scanning a QR tag or clicking a unique link on your (and/or the HearMoreInfo) website. Message Recording Services. FCC Licensing Services. Signs to Announce the Station: FASTrack Quick-Erect Sign. Lightning CMS Ultra-Portable Changeable Message Sign.
Planning & Pricing
Bill Baker (616.772.2300 x102) will help you plan your station, select options and can provide a formal quote. RadioSTAT stations may be purchased “sole source,” or specifications may be provided for agency bid procurement. Lease-to-own terms are also available. Inquire for details. Each system is provided with Remote Technical Support and Potential Interference Notification Service (PINS) for the life of the station. Professionally recorded audio messages can be provided, so your broadcast is ready to put on the air as soon as the station is turned on. For a trailer-mounted portable radio system with even more capability, see VoiceStar^TM.