John Capodanno

John Capodanno Currently President of REACT International, Inc.

REACT was as a CB radio Emergency Channel 9 monitoring organization across the United States and Canada in 1962. Initially, the primary role of REACT volunteers was to monitor Channel 9, the CB Emergency Channel, to help motorists. Later, duties grew to include communications after disasters (tornadoes, floods...), and in some places before disasters (storm spotting). As well, REACT safety communications for parades, runs/walks and other community events became prominent. Although some REACT Teams still use CB primarily, a large percentage have now added amateur, FRS, GMRS, Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), Trunked radio systems and business band radio (LMR) to their public service capabilities.

History
1962 - A sick infant, a disabled car on a Chicago freeway, and a January blizzard prompted Henry B. (Pete) Kreer to envision using CB radio to get help in such emergencies. By April, REACT was founded, with Hallicrafters Radio as its first sponsor and Kreer as its Executive Director.

1967 - REACT approached FCC for a designated CB Emergency Channel.

1969 - REACT gained General Motors Research Labs as its new sponsor.

1970 - CB-9 was designated the 'Emergency and Travelers' Assistance Channel' by the FCC. The Ohio REACT Network was created. It worked with Ohio State Police to demonstrate how CB-9 could enhance highway safety. It later became the first REACT Council. REACT signed its first MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the American Red Cross.

1973 - REACT's Pete Kreer and Jerry Reese were interviewed on the NBC 'Today' show about the potential for highway safety of CB radio.

1975 - REACT became an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.

1976 - REACT held its first convention in Deerfield, Ill. REACT participated in the White House Conference on CB Radio.

1977 - REACT launched its highway Safety Break program in cooperation with the American Trucking Association. REACT developed the NEAR (National Emergency Aid Radio) safety program for the U.S. government.

1978 - REACT signed an MOU with Special Olympics.

1982 - REACT was honored with the first President's Volunteer Action Award (16 awarded out of 2300 nominations).

1984 - REACT assisted in introducing FRS (Family Radio Service).

1985 - REACT office moved from Chicago, Ill., to Wichita, Kans.

1986 -'REACT Month' was observed for the first time.

1988 - REACT developed its 'Team Topics' newsletter for Teams. REACT introduced the CB-9 road sign to advise travelers of monitoring.

1991 - REACT published the first in a series of 'Team Training Modules' to advance its monitors' skills.

1993 - REACT agreed to Memorandums of Understanding with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and National Weather Service.

1994 - Dallas County REACT, at HamCom in Arlington, Tex., became the fourth local group to host remote operation of the ARRL's station W1AW.

1995 - REACT HQ established its first website on the Internet. Rose City Windsor REACT, Ontario, launched the first REACT Team website. Several Teams responded to and assisted with the response to the bombing of the Alfred P Murrah Building (Oklahoma City Bombing).

1998 - REACT moved its Headquarters from Wichita, Kans., to the D.C. area.

2001 - Several Teams assisted the Salvation Army in response to the World Trade Center attacks in New York City. REACT agreed to Memorandum of Understanding with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

2002 - REACT assisted with Olympic Torch Run. REACT presented the first "Radio Hero Award" to an Indiana State Trooper.

2004 - Dallas County REACT was again selected to host ARRL station W1AW at HamCom in Arlington, Texas.

2010 - REACT moved its Headquarters from Suitland, Md., to Dinwiddie, Va. REACT joins GERC - Global Emergency Radio Coalition - as a Charter Member.

2011 - REACT Announced 50th Anniversary Logo and 2012 Convention Site at Las Vegas, Nev. For the third time, Dallas County REACT hosted ARRL station W1AW at HamCom in Plano, Texas. REACT Teams involved in response to Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Lee.

2012 - REACT official office returned to Chicago; administrative office moved to Glendale, Calif.