Making Radio Stronger In A Disaster
Rotella Brags About New Jersey Radio
11-1-2012
It's his job to be the spokesperson for radio stations in his state and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey Broadcasters Association President Paul Rotella (pictured here with Sean Luce) is doing just that. New Jersey was ravaged by the worse coastal storm in a century leaving almost two and a half million without electricity and Internet access. But no one in the Garden State was without radio. Rotella tells Radio Ink Radio was ready when communities needed them the most.
Rotella reports NJ’s broadcasters provided their audiences with life saving information guiding their listeners through the treacherous clutches of Hurricane Sandy. “Our broadcasters did a superb job of keeping the audiences they serve informed with up-to-the-minute news and critical information regarding the storm’s path and the devastation Sandy left in her wake. Almost without exception, NJ’s broadcast radio and TV stations remained on the air throughout the storm. Many broadcast professionals planned ahead, bringing sleeping bags, food, water and other necessities to their stations so they could remain on-the-air for two almost days without a break. Unlike other telecom services that just fell apart, and remain spotty, to say the least, NJ broadcasters never missed a beat."
Rotella says he's very proud of how New Jersey broadcasters performed. “I am so very proud of our members who once again showed the world what it means to be a New Jersey broadcaster in the face of this deadly storm. This is particularly poignant with Sandy since many of our members are located and live down the shore. It truly was a selfless act of bravery to staff the stations, knowing that your home was probably being destroyed by the wind and storm surges, which all but decimated the famous New Jersey shore. Many of my members reported that their homes were in fact damaged, some beyond repair, while the storm took its toll on our coast.”
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