Hobart radio looks after the community

The bushfires in Tasmania have been a tragedy, and radio more than any other medium has the capacity to respond immediately and powerfully to events such as this.

All the Hobart radio stations have done a stellar job of serving the community.

7HO FM have been live and local since Friday providing information for their listeners. Program Director Ross Turner told Radio Today last night;

"Have just got off a plane and am helping the three (7HO FM) people who have been doing what you would expect them to do in this situation, they have been here since the fire first broke".

"Wolfie, Candy and Moorie have been sensational and we couldn't be prouder or have asked for more".

This afternoon 7HO FM have announced that announcer 'Wolfie' would spend 50 hours on a bus to raise money for bushfire victims.

7HO FM and Tasmanian bus service, Metro Tasmania, have launched '50 hours for $50,000' which will see Wolfie, from tomorrow, broadcasting live for 50 hours non-stop from inside a bus travelling right across Hobart and outlying areas collecting donations.

General Manager Steve White said, “After the horror of the bushfires all of us feel we need to do something concrete to help. Having Wolfie broadcasting live on a Metro bus for 50 hours, will make it easy for residents and business to get involved, donate some dollars and make a real difference.”

Meantime over the road at Sea FM and Heart 107.3 have also delivered for the Southern Tasmanian community. Content Director Rod Maldon, in an email to Radio Today told us;

"Our teams have been working overtime  to ensure that from the minute the fires broke out each facet of what would need to be known from road closures, to outbreak areas, to police and fire warnings, right through to calls from those affected".

"We have had our journo’s on the field from the affected areas, Nick and Woody our SEA FM Brekky Show, who gave up their holiday time and worked. Our Workday lineup, Leanne Stamps and Hayden Naughton put in so many hours across the weekend".

"It’s been very hectic, but we have our Fire Fighters, Volunteers , those affected and a listener to look after, help and be there for.  We will be there for them locally in every way we can".

And ABC Local Radio have been all over the bushfires in Southern Tasmania as well. 

The ABC have broadcast all warnings for all fires since early last week, Ian Mannix, ABC Manager of Emergency Broadcasting and Community Development told Radio Today this morning;

“ABC Local Radio have been broadcasting warnings throughout the day and night for the whole time. Over the summer holidays we typically schedule a mix of Local, State and National programming, but during an emergency we break into this with local updates and extended coverage".

"And in this case this included breaking into our Cricket commentary on occasion. Cricket Australia is very understanding of the need to drop commentary in times of emergency".

"As well as reporting vital emergency information and speaking to management at the emergency agencies, we are getting out this week for a series of OBs in and around affected communities. History has shown us that this immediate “recovery” information serves a critical community need – where to get fresh water, where to meet with insurance experts, what to expect in terms of security, and the hundreds of other questions that those impacted need to address".

All wonderful examples of radio serving their local community at the time when it is most needed.