Members of the delegation said that the Public Alert Radios operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, sounding an alarm that will alert school personnel to severe weather conditions and other emergencies, even when other means of communication are disabled. These radios enable the effective delivery of information for a wide range of crises, whether it’s an approaching tornado, a telephone outage disrupting 9-1-1 services, local roads overrun by flash floods, or the urgent need to be on the lookout for an abducted child. Radio distribution will begin this week and every school will have one by the end of October.

“Providing our children with a safe learning environment should be our number one priority,” Congressman Ross said.  “These radios are a critical communications tool to keep our children out of harm’s way in times of emergency or when a disaster or tragedy may strike.”

“Communication is key during an emergency. When every second counts, these radios will offer a reliable and immediate way to reach administrators, teachers and students across Arkansas,” Senator Pryor said.

“It’s important that the federal government continue its work to ensure that our schools can provide a safe environment for students and teachers," Senator Lincoln said. "These radios will better equip every public school in Arkansas to react quickly and effectively if faced with an emergency."

“Arkansas has a long history of severe weather capable of destroying homes, businesses, and in some cases entire communities,” said Congressman Berry. “We have a responsibility to make sure our schools have the best public safety equipment to prepare for these emergency situations. Public alert radios will improve communication during critical moments so our teachers and administrators can keep children safe.”

“Better communication equipment in schools in the event of severe weather or emergencies is a great idea, and hopefully will make school personnel, students and their parents better prepared in such an event,” said Congressman Snyder. 

“The severe weather we witnessed last week in Arkansas is a testament to the need of Public Alert Radios,” Congressman Boozman said. “I am proud to help bring this life-saving technology to Arkansas’ schools so we can protect our most precious resource: our children.”

This project is a joint venture between the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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