Last week, the Federal Communications Commission granted our request to proceed with our plan to move our transmitter to a new location. The move will enable us to broadcast at greatly increased power and reach about 40,000 more people. Sometime early next year, you’ll be hearing us all over and around town!
We are very fortunate in that the Red Cross’ Community Adaptation Program (CAP) is supporting the move by covering certain costs related to procuring equipment, engineering, and tower rental. This new program extends the Red Cross’ mission by working to prevent or mitigate disasters in addition to providing essential help after they happen. “By working proactively, we can save lives, reduce recovery costs, and empower communities to adapt to future challenges,” their website explains.
Hays County is one of only 19 counties nationwide chosen for this innovative program. According to CAP Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator Alyssa Ramirez, Hays County “faces a unique combination of risks — frequent flooding, extreme heat, and rapid population growth — alongside social challenges like housing shortages and food insecurity. These factors make the area especially vulnerable to disasters.”
The Hays County CAP partners with KZSM because communication is crucial to both preparing for disasters and coping with them when they arrive. “We feel KZSM will be an invaluable partner in helping reach more people in the community to increase safety and mitigate disaster-related outcomes,” Ramirez explains.
Being prepared means getting the word out about resources available in the community. KZSM routinely broadcasts Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about opportunities to access community support. In addition, our Community Partners can come by during “Open Door” (Wednesdays noon-3 p.m. and Thursdays noon- 2 p.m.) to talk directly with listeners about the services they offer.
KZSM maintains the national Emergency Alert System, which delivers urgent alerts for national emergencies, severe weather, AMBER Alerts, and more. We are a way of getting immediate information out to the public that does not rely on cell phone towers or other infrastructure — all you need is a little transistor radio to learn where you need to go, what you need to do, and where to turn for help.
As part of the Hays Resilience Network we will be well prepared to work with other organizations to serve the community in a time of need. And thanks to the Red Cross’ CAP, our help will extend to thousands more!
