Dennis Jackson started WRIP from an FCC application filed 1996. Local legend Guy Patrick Garraghan convinced Jackson that a new local station was viable, and so became the General Manager and morning man." According to Jackson, "It was a station with a staff of two, because we weren't sure how it would be received, since there had never been a radio station within 35 miles of rural but growing Windham, NY before. But Guy was a beloved local figure, so everyone listened and the station took off." And live and local is exactly what this small upstate community needed when Irene swept through town. And that' exactly what they got.
"Jay Fink joined WRIP in 2002. "When Garraghan died suddenly last year, Fink stepped in to become VP/General Manager. When hurricane Irene moved up the coast, Fink prepared to ride the storm out overnight and confirm that the station's emergency generator kicked in if power was lost. Forecasts to that point had only called for 6 inches of rain, but by daybreak the region was on its way to receiving a record foot of rainfall in about 10 hours. Coverage began Sunday morning as listeners reported rapidly rising waters from the only creek carrying runoff from nearby mountains. By 9 AM Sunday, power was lost and Fink was stranded at the studio. WRIP remained on generator as Fink broadcast solo for 13 hours, fielding calls from frightened listeners and passing on information from first responders and officials on the ground. All week, Fink spearheaded coverage with morning man Joe Loverro, office manager and town historian Patti Morrow, and Sonny Rock, host of "Local Licks," where area musicians play live in-studio Tuesday evenings. By the end of the week, he was hoarse."
Jackson says "Obviously it brings a sense of pride that Jay, Joe, Patti and Sonny worked to exhaustion, and with the result that they were able to bring comfort and safety to so many, as well as the reassurance that people were not alone even in the midst of a major natural disaster. They deserve the highest commendation." And they have been getting the kudos they deserve, written up in the New York Times.
Jackson says Jay Fink (pictured) is one of those guys who puts other people first and will work to exhaustion when it matters so much to others in the community. "That's what he did. He and his team connected residents, people who were stranded, town officials, volunteers, emergency workers, FEMA, the National Guard, etc. What he did was to show people how to use radio effectively in an emergency like this. He helped everyone involved to contribute their best."
But the small team at WRIP did much more than just sit in the studio giving out important telephone numbers. Just west of Windham, the small town of Prattsville, New York was leveled. Jackson says many Prattsville residents felt abandoned. "The Town Supervisor told us it would mean a lot if we could do a broadcast from there. Joe and Sonny went live from Prattsville most of Sunday, letting people tell their stories on the air, and relaying information about needed volunteers and supplies information. It really helped bring people together, and made them aware of how much others do care." Often what is needed is hands; people to do physical work. Many people have stepped forward to volunteer, and the station is being used as a clearing house. People want to help others. A regional disaster brings out the best in many of us. People are grateful that we were there for them. We serve a group of "Mountaintop" communities that feels somewhat isolated from the Hudson Valley below.
The station Facebook page has been flooded with comments from the community. And local officials are referring questions to the station website at http://wrip979.com, which is updated in real time by volunteer webmaster Andy Mack on a laptop from his fulltime job in Albany."
Jackson talks about about how special and selfless the radio industry behaves when situations like this arise. "I think it is most important for small market stations who can unite their communities at such times, and also for the news/information stations in larger markets, to be willing to let their staffs on the ground in their local markets step up to the plate on their own. Many do, and they really shine! The staffers who get creative and then do the hard work should be fully credited by their companies and by a grateful public. WRIP is highly visible, but it is not alone. There are a lot of dedicated men and women in radio awaiting their opportunity to do what our people have been doing."
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