REACT moving into Michiana with Elkhart team chartered
Published 9:28 am Wednesday, April 30, 2008
By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
Heart of Michiana REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams) of Elkhart, Ind., is interested in identifying volunteers in Cass County, according to Secretary Keith Thews. The six-member team began as a committee last December and was fully chartered this month. The team, one of 10 in Indiana, serves Cass County, as well as Elkhart and LaGrange counties and the Osceola area. Michigan has teams in Maple City, Bay County, Muskegon County and Jackson County. Heart of Michiana REACT's present six members all hail from the Elkhart area. Anyone interested in joining, Heart of Michiana REACT can visit its site at http://stark2k.tripod.com.
There is no charge to apply.
Applicants' references will be contacted and they must consent to a police background check at their expense and meet with the REACT board in Elkhart. Membership costs $31 per person plus $20 yearly dues and $11 for liability insurance.For a spouse or teen ages 15 1/2 to 18, membership costs $29.
Additional members cost $16.
The idea of using CB radio in an organized way for emergency communications was born in a Chicago snowstorm using the CB to get help for a young family broke down on an expressway with a very sick child.
Since 1962, REACT has been the leader in public service radio, earning the U.S. Presidential Volunteer Action Award.