Public Safety

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South Carolina Public Radio is designated as the media of record by the state and is the primary vehicle for statewide information during natural disasters and other emergencies.

South Carolina Public Radio serves as a backbone of the state’s Emergency Alert System. WLTR-FM in Columbia is South Carolina’s primary backup station with several other South Carolina Public Radio stations serving as the state’s alternate relay stations.

All 46 counties are served by AMBER Alert and National Weather Service alerts via ETV and South Carolina Public Radio.

ETV houses and maintains all 14 South Carolina weather transmitters for the National Weather Service on our towers.

ETV houses, maintains and provides the microwave interconnection for all of the 25 radio repeaters of the South Carolina Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team (SCHEART). It reaches most of the sixty-plus hospitals that receive funding through the Hospital Preparedness Program. ETV is a partner in the collaboration of SCHEART, which includes the USC Center for Public Health Preparedness, the SC Emergency Management Division, SC Department of Public Health, Division of Information Services, SC Hospital Association, and many other partners.

ETV houses and maintains all 12 radio repeaters of the South Carolina Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. These repeaters are used in communications to support air search and rescue and are also under agreement for use by the U.S. Air Force and Department of Homeland Security when needed.

About SCEIN

In 2018, Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) partnered with South Carolina Public Radio and South Carolina ETV (SCETV) to launch the South Carolina Emergency Information Network (SCEIN). SCEIN focuses on building local public media brands by delivering timely safety information and emergency messaging to public radio and TV stations across the state.

Through South Carolina Public Radio stations, SCETV, scetv.org, and social media channels, SCEIN provides residents with live, breaking information related to natural disasters and other significant emergency events including hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe weather.

Various multimedia platforms and unique tools are continuously being added, including the installation of eight remote weather stations with live camera systems, enhanced website elements, plus emergency messaging upgrades to SCETV’s social media accounts.

FPREN and SCEIN serve as effective conduits, sharing information from emergency management, public safety, and other local, state, and federal agencies directly to millions of people via the resilient public broadcasting systems in place throughout Florida and South Carolina. This broad network of local public media stations provides the important severe weather, safety, and evacuation information to assist in protecting residents at all times.

Learn more at scetv.org/weather.