10,000 Radios Headed To Puerto Rico

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is shipping 10,000 battery-operated radios to the island of Puerto Rico for distribution to residents who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Maria. NAB, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) and multiple U.S. broadcasters are funding this initiative. NAB is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local Puerto Rican authorities to ensure that the radios are properly distributed to those most in need. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) were instrumental in coordinating this effort.

“Time and again, broadcast radio has served as a lifeline to communities desperate for information and support,” said Gordon Smith, NAB President & CEO. “Our fellow Americans in the Caribbean now face a once-in-a-generation humanitarian crisis, and radio is one of the only communications resources available. We admire the resolve of our friends in Puerto Rico and are proud to undertake this effort with help from FEMA to keep citizens safe and informed.”

Florida Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Pat Roberts spearheaded this initiative on the ground and successfully secured transportation of the radios from Miami to Puerto Rico. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who is helping secure a staging ground in Miami for the radios prior to their shipment to Puerto Rico, said this crisis “requires our ongoing support and commitment, which is why I’m thankful to the NAB for stepping up to provide critical communications infrastructure. I saw firsthand how the local leadership and residents are eager to restore normal order and the efforts by the NAB and a number of companies in the private sector are what’s making a big difference. I look forward to the continued efforts to aid the great people of Puerto Rico because right now, todos somos Puertorriqueños (‘We are all Puerto Ricans).”