Broadcasters Offer Portable TVs & Radio To Katrina Relief Efforts.

The National Association of Broadcasters is partnering with Louisiana and Mississippi broadcasters to distribute 1,300 battery-operated handheld television sets to public safety officials assisting with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The five-inch analog TVs, purchased by the NAB from St. Louis-based GPX, will be distributed among state police officials and other public safety organizations in Louisiana and Mississippi. Coordinating the distribution effort will be the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters (LAB) and the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters (MAB).

“Some of our officers affected by the flooding are still without electricity in their homes and have lost access to important information from local broadcasters,” said Dave Young, executive director of the Louisiana State Troopers Association. “The donation of battery-operated TVs will help law-enforcement officials stay connected with their communities and help our citizens through this difficult period of recovery.”

The television sets also have AM/FM radio receiving capability.

“We’re proud to make these television sets available to our first responder friends along the Gulf Coast,” said NAB President Eddie Fritts. “In this time of crisis, it is critical that broadcasters make every effort to keep both the first responder community and local citizens up to date with the most accurate information regarding hurricane relief.”

Earlier this week, NAB teamed with The Salvation Army and The American Red Cross to distribute 10,000 handheld battery-operated radios to Gulf Coast residents displaced by the hurricane. NAB continues its partnership with the Red Cross to provide public service announcements that advise citizens how to donate money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Broadcasters have also committed to raising a minimum of $100 million for Hurricane Katrina relief with NAB jump-starting the initiative by making a $1 million cash donation.