Emergency Communication Plan in Works for Coopersburg

Coopersburg officials Monday night talked about creating an emergency communication system, and as a first step they called for creating an emergency contacts list for residents.

Another step would be to create a list of residents who need aid -- the list would be for emergency responders.

Speaking before borough council's Public Safety Committee, borough emergency management chief Mike Zweifel said an emergency communication system could involve Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service radios. FRS radios cost around $35 and GMRS radios cost $70.

These radios are little handheld walkie-talkies that people use to keep in touch at parks or malls. In case of emergency, the radios should be turned to channel 1 for emergency help and information, according to the Emergency Radio Network.

FRS radios can be used to relay information, although their low wattage restricts their output. But Zweifel noted, “It’s amazing. A little 5 watt, I went the whole block." The actual wattage is 0.5 watts.

GMRS radios can be used across the borough, but their biggest drawback is that they require a license -- costing $80 for five years. The Federal Communications Commission has considered eliminating the license requirement, Zweifel said.

Radios that the committee rejected, like Ham radios, require an intensive test, while Multi Use Radio Service (MURS) devices are scarce and expensive. CB radios are expensive and are known to pick up channels far from the area of use.

Mayor Tim Paashaus proposed creating the emergency contact list for residents.

“We need to be prepared,” Zweifel said.

As for the list of residents needing aid -- as well as creating a newsletter on emergency preparedness -- Fire Chief Kevin Farnish said: "We can’t help everybody but at least you say this is what we can do for you.”