Within an hour after Thursday morning's fire at the General Telephone Co., was reported, the Wayne County Civil Defense emergency network was in operation from the City Building.
Operators of Citizens' Band radio outfits quickly volunteered to help in the emergency, covering key points in the city with base and mobile units, including local schools, factories, and the radio station.
The locations of these units were broadcast by a local radio station, telling persons who needed emergency aid of any type to contact the nearest "ham" operator for help.
By 11:30 a.m., more than 50 operators had volunteered to help, according to Capt. Walter Stiut of the Police Department.
Only one emergency message was transmitted Thursday morning and that was a report of a fire.
Capt. Stout said the Wayne county unit will remain operational 24 hours a day until the emergency is over.
Bob Pelfrey, of 207 National Road West, a member of the Citizens Band radio operators, was stationed in front of Reid Memorial hospital to receive calls. Pelfrey said he could receive calls from local as well as distance operators for emergency use.
All kinds of Equipment, photographic, radio, television, and so on was noted at the scene of the fire. Civil Defense workers had walkie-talkie sets in use to communicate back and forth between themselves and the center set up in the City Hall.
Transcribed by James E. Bellaire
Copyright 1965 Palladium-Item