In an earlier time, Concord's church bells were used as a form of far-reaching communication during emergencies. The First Parish's steeple.

Take one newly resurrected high school radio station. Add a police-to-citizen autmoated phone system, a ham radio repeater to be installed soon on Annursnac Hill, plus the 140 neighborhoods connected to Concord's Neighborhood Network (CNN). Put them together with already existing federal, state, and municipal emergency response plans and what do you get? A new breed of emergency response combining citizen and town resources.

But how will it work? What will it do? Whom will it help? Important questions, with answers currently being developed by community members involved with these resources in partnership with the Concord Police. At a meeting at the police station last Thursday night, they began brainstorming new ways to keep residents and businesses better informed, safer, and in closer touch with one another and emergency personnel.

Through existing emergency plans already held by Concord, other towns and the Commonwealth are acting as an inspiration, what Concord will end up with will be unique. "With all of these resources, we are in an unusual position to create something new," said Police Chief Leonard Wetherbee . "I don't know of another town that has this kind of raw material to work with. We are very lucky to be in this position." Crafting an efficient system out of these various communication capabilities will require a wide variety of skills from various disciplines, life experience, common sense and old-fashioned neighborly concern.

"We are developing a model of how to use community resources on problems of differing magnitudes," said Lt. Paul Macone from the Concord Police, who is working closely on this project. "For example, the way CNN helped with the 747 Main Street fire this spring was responding to a problem with a limited, isolated group of victims. Other instances, say, a hurricane -- which involves everyone -- will need a different type of response. We're in the process of figuring out the most effective systems."

The more widespread the crisis, the more necessary good communication and dissemination of information to, from, and between residents and town officials would be. Starting with some likely emergencies -- a local fire, a power outage, an approaching storm -- step-by-step methods involving citizens and these communication resources are being carefully thought out.

At this point, many more questions exist than answers are known. For example: In the event of an emergency, when, by whom and how would information be broadcast from the radio station? What do CNN's Neighborhood Contacts need to be told, when and by whom? Whom should the police-to-citizen autmoated system call and with what kind of information? How should the hams pass along regional information to emergency personnel? The Red Cross wants to work in concert with these resources: how best to coordinate with them?

The reemergence of the High School's radio station, WIQH (FM 88.3) couldn't be at a better time for these plans. Since the station's signal now covers all of Concord, most of Carlisle, and parts of other contiguous towns, it will play a major role in keeping the public informed during all types of crises. "Soon, we'll have the ability to broadcast live, up-to-date news specifically tailored for Concord and Carlisle residents," Ned Roos, a CCHS grad, broadcast engineer, and former WIQH advisor helping to bring the station back to life. "We will broadcast for the duration of any emergency, and will provide updated information as it becomes available."

St. Bernard's Church

This group isn't only concerned with large, declared emergencies. Members feel strongly there are ways to help during lesser crises and after an emergency has concluded when its victims are dealing with its aftermath. "Citizens can and do lend significant aid for problems that don't fall within municipal or state emergency management plans," said Concord resident Deborah Bier, who is involved with CNN, WIQH and the amateur radio group bringing the ham repeater to Concord. "Through these new emergency procedures, we'll also enhance the ability of neighbors to help neighbors in need. This sort of involvement is really what CNN is dedicated to. It increases our sense of community and quality of life here."

Bier notes that many people do want to help others during a crisis, but don't always know how to reach out or what might be needed, so often don't bother. "Having a well-developed citizen-involved emergency response system will allow those interested to participate more easily. And that means folks in need can be helped more quickly."

This group will continue to meet and plan through the summer and fall. If you are interested in being involved, contact Lt. Paul Macone at 318-3406 or email Deborah Bier at webmaster@concordma.com.


Photos: ©2000 Stan Groff.
Backgrounds: Culprit Fey.