FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Here is a little known fact - Fort Bragg has its own radio station.
Though listeners are not likely to hear Jay-Z or Miley Cyrus, they will be warned of inclement weather and other important messages.
The radio station, found at AM 1700, has been operational for nearly two months and is under the control of the Directorate of Emergency Services, said Scott Bouley, who is a systems administrator with the Integrated Incident Management Center.
"The radio station is an emergency warning system that we can use to broadcast important information," Bouley said. "Right now, we are trying to find a better location for the station so that we can increase the range."
Currently, the radio station's antenna is located atop the DES building, and the optimal radius of transmission is five miles. The radio station is reaching nearly that limit, but Bouley said he would like to see that distance increased which would allow more people across Fort Bragg to tune in to AM 1700.
Because of broadcasting laws and other protocol, the radio station is limited as to what can be transmitted. As of now, AM 1700 airs weather messages from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which are constantly updated. On the last Wednesday of each month, the radio station broadcasts emergency test messages to ensure AM 1700 is prepared to fulfill its function as a warning system.
"This is just one of several mass notification systems we have right now," Bouley explained. "We can also get warning messages out with a giant voice, individual building systems, telephone alert systems, and a web-based emergency operations center," he added.
Kari Stuart, an Army spouse who also works on base, said she did not realize Fort Bragg had a radio station, but thought it could come in handy for her in the future. She said it is very important for people to receive warnings, especially about bad weather.
"A tree fell on my house in August," she said. "I didn't realize the wind was as bad as it was, but it knocked a giant old tree right into my house. I didn't realize the base had a radio station, or I could have tuned in to hear a warning."
According to Bouley, this sort of example is one reason the base radio station was created. "This is another way for people who are working on, living on and visiting the base to keep informed of what is going on."
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