Brice Phillips, chief engineer of radio station WQRZ, holds one of the 3,000 radios handed out by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina. Click "Play" to hear Phillips describe the station's mission and how it weathered the storm.
KILN, Miss. -- The first face you see when you walk into Hancock County's Emergency Operations Center is that of Christine Stach. She's the program director of WQRZ, and her location here is a sign of just how vital the small, non-profit station (103.5 FM) has become in these parts.
Before Katrina, Stach, who's in her mid-30s, and her partner, Brice Phillips, 39, the chief engineer, operated WQRZ as a low-power community station out of their house at the end of Indian Street outside Waveland. Phillips erected the tower himself.
The home was demolished by Hurricane Katrina, but Phillips and Stach had packed up much of their equipment and taken it with them when they left ahead of the storm. Within days, they were installed with the EOC -- first in a building adjacent to Hancock High School and now at the old Annunciation Catholic School on Kiln-Delisle Road, about 10 miles north of Waveland.
They live in a trailer on the site and have kept WQRZ on the air 24 hours a day as just about the only daily source of information for the folks in the tents, trailers and tattered homes of Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Kiln, Pearlington, Diamondhead and all the unincorporated areas in Hancock County.
Phillips' voice the one most often heard passing along the news that the survivors of Katrina need to know: Where the distribution points are; when and where the buses will be running; where and how to apply for business loans and emergency blue roof tarps; where to find wireless access; what restaurants and stores and services are back open.
Christine Stach
Stach isn't heard on the air as often, but her stamp is just as strong. She pretty much keeps everything running (while pulling a heavy volunteer load for the EOC itself), and she's also the visionary behind WQRZ's musical sound.
To call it "eclectic" would be an understatement: With her collection of thousands of CDs (1,200 of them in the studio, and 5,000 more waiting to be cleaned up under a blue tarp outside), the station changes format every day. It might be all oldies today, and then all-New Age the next. Only on WQRZ could a jazz fan in rural Mississippi hear, in its entirety, the new album by The Bad Plus. He just had to be listening at 6:30 Friday night.
'D-a-a-a-ay 75, y'all ...'
Stach and Phillips met through their mutual interest in amateur radio, and the station is a full partnership. But for the moment, the focus is on Phillips, who's become the best and -- for many in Hancock County -- the only way to find out what's going on. Things have settled down to a routine now. Seven days a week, Phillips' folksy, "y'all"-spiked baritone broadcasts the latest emergency alerts and advisories four times a day. ("This is the Hancock County emergency report for Saturday, Da-a-a-a-ay 75, y'all ...")
County emergency officials and volunteers from other parts of the country also troop into his roughly 10-by-20-foot white-walled studio for on-air interviews. This week, John Marmon, a Kansas law enforcement official who's working here through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, brought everyone up to date on the newly rebuilt and improved 911 system.
The rest of the time, Stach's music offers a welcome alternative to the roar of buzz saws and heavy equipment for the many people who have no television or Internet access.
The station has become a vital government service. In the days and weeks immediately following Katrina's landfall, it essentially held the county together. Both Phillips and Stach are licensed amateur radio operators; WQRZ started out as an amateur community radio service, deeply involved in emergency communications. Three years ago, it became the first amateur radio-based service in the country to be granted a low-power FM license by the Federal Communications Commission.
The amateur radio expertise made it possible for WQRZ to establish communications between emergency officials in Hancock and Harrison counties in the chaos right after the storm. "When all else fails, ham radio is it," Phillips says. For the next two weeks, Phillips says, he routed ambulance and emergency calls himself around the clock, even as he and Stach kept the radio station on the air from its new quarters at the EOC.
"What they were doing was lifesaving," Marmon says.
Authorities handed out 3,000 miniature radios after the storm expressly so people could listen to the updates on WQRZ, which was available across the county for the first time by new equipment that boosted its signal to 1,300 watts. And to this day, programming is immediately interrupted for any new information from the emergency authorities, because "number 1 is the safety of the people," Phillips says.
'It's not a disability. It's an ability.'
We visited Phillips in his studio for a lengthy talk. This can be a complicated thing to do, because Phillips is permanently disabled with adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and it can be an adventure keeping him on the subject. It's no secret; he talks about it on the air. His favorite line: "It's not a disability. It's an ability."
Stach, too, is disabled -- she has multiple sclerosis -- but when we visited, she was lifting loads out of boxes in the old school's auditorium for the EOC. The Army Corps of Engineers pitched in to build a ramp for her wheelchair at their trailer here.
Except for one underwriter, WQRZ is run out of the pockets, loans and Social Security checks of Brice Phillips and Christine Stach. They're a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, and "non-profit" doesn't begin to tell the story. They're regularly asking for more underwriting, but prospects are poor. Phillips says he understands why, because he and Stach lost their home, too. ("It's kind of, like, smooshed," he says, a description that didn't prepare us for the destruction we saw when we stopped by the site.) He knows people have to take care of themselves. "The folks -- what can you do? -- they were destroyed," he says.
Meanwhile, the corporation (the Hancock County Amateur Radio Association, which Stach and Phillips organized and owns the station's license) is thousands of dollars in debt, Phillips said. Even so, fiercely determined not to be a burden on the relief effort, Stach and Phillips have refused to accept any payment from the EOC.
Brian "Hootie" Adam, the county's emergency operations director, says he offered, but they turned him down. "Plain and simple, having this radio station out of here has been a tremendous advantage," Adam says. "This radio station has been one of our greatest assets." So much so, he says, that emergency officials in Kansas and Florida are studying it as a model for communications in future disasters.
As for Hancock County, Adam, who's led emergency operations here for three years, vows: "When I have a storm here, he's going to be in our EOC."
Running out of money
But the station still has its bills to pay. It needs eight underwriters to break even, and it has only one. Phillips and Stach can't accept too many gifts, lest they endanger their Social Security benefits. And there's a separate threat on the horizon. The company that installed the new equipment, which WQRZ accepted as an emergency donation, is now asking for payment -- as much as $30,000, Phillips says.
There's no way the station can pay that, so it's possible that sometime down the road, the equipment will have to be returned. Unless replacements are donated, Stach and Phillips would be back in the 8x8 shed beside their destroyed home, broadcasting to a much smaller area on its original low-power signal. And many of the hurting people in Hancock County would lose their only connection to vital relief information and the outside world.
Phillips says he often gets "exercised" about the predicament, but he works hard to keep a positive outlook. "Getting upset over stupid things is not good, especially in an emergency," he says. In the end, he says, "With all the generosity that's come in here and all the volunteers, there'll be someone." Until then, "Life is good, man. We accomplished all we set out to do."
Interested in helping keep WQRZ on the air? Contact David Bevens at the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency, (228) 466-8252, or Brice Phillips, (228) 463-1035.
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This was a great story. These two are doing an incredible job and demonstrate what's so great about America--unlike the way most of our politicians and business leaders behave. The company who "DONATED" the equipment should be ashamed and boycotted. There has to be a way for the station to be helped. Some legal-type person should get involved and help figure that out. Mr Phillips and Ms Stach need to realize what a GREAT service they're providing, it's worth keeping alive to the people they're helping. Where to send money?
tamib, Colorado Springs CO (Sent Nov 15, 2005 3:14:02 PM)
Brice and Chris are true heroes, giving of themselves, totally. We all hear of New Orleans, and the larger gulf coast cities, but we never hear of the small communities .... who by virtue of people like Brice and Chris, are hanging on by their fingern nails. Great job by msnbc ..... getting out into the smaller communities, which have pretty much been left on there own. Let's keep this couple and this radio station on the air !!
Elliot Paul, New York City (Sent Nov 15, 2005 5:36:20 PM)
Brice and Christine are heroes. I met them five days after Katrina while reporting on the hurricane for People magazine and found their stories to be uplifting and inspiring in the middle of a disaster.
Thanks for recognizing them. My reporting on them can be found on my blog.
Joe Nick Patoski, Wimberley, Texas (Sent Nov 15, 2005 5:45:11 PM)
WQRZ 103.5 Has filled a need before it was even known. I met Brice an Cris at the Hancock County EOC on Aug. 28 the day Before Katrina made history. With out Brice and Cris we could not have had the HAM Comms we needed to pass Emergency Traffic on to the rest of the country. They were the first to report the Bay St. Louis bridge was destroyed. My hats off to them. They need all the help they can get to keep WQRZ on the air and serve the people of hancock county. If you would like to find out how you can help Email Brice: wqrznews@aol.com
Wade E. Hicks Jr. (Sent Nov 15, 2005 5:53:41 PM)
we extend best wishes from greenfield, Ma. we also suffered some flood damage last month with over 14 inches of rain. over 39 trailers were damaged beyond living from the heavy overflowing rivers.We see the power of mother nature but most importantly we see the power of individuals, neighbors, doing their part waaaaaaaaaaaay before fema even hands out money. clap your hands and pat yourself on your back for your support to mankind in times of crisis. human service worker, 37 yrs,. bt, Ma.
btegel (Sent Nov 15, 2005 7:23:29 PM)
Brice and Chris receive tax deductable donations at:
HCARA - WQRZ
PO BOX 1145
KILN, MISSISSIPPI
39556-1145
Please make check to: Hancock County Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
I've known them for over 2 years. Brice and Chris are the most unselfish, caring, and giving people I have ever met. (Especially to the communities.)
Craig DeMetz, Los Angeles, California (Sent Nov 16, 2005 6:24:42 AM)
I became friends with Brice and Christine while working with the Kansas group in the Hancock County EOC. They are two very special dedicated people that are doing an excellent job keeping the public informed in Hancock County. Hope they can continue their fine work. Their puppy "KILLER" is the EOC mascot and is very well known and loved by everyone there. He's also very special.
Marvin Stice, Meade, Kansas (Sent Nov 16, 2005 12:29:29 PM)
I had an opportunity to personal work with these two during a two week stay at the Hancock County EOC. It was just awesome watching how giving these two are and how much they mean to their community. I genuinely hope that someone has it in their heart to leave the equipment alone and as a true donation of parts. If not – I pray that god would give them the money they need to pay off the equipment or that he provides equivalent free equipment. I also pray for them the gift of under writers. These folks are a true beacon of light in a dark page of history for their community.
Mark Dietz, Lee's Summit, MO (Sent Nov 16, 2005 12:40:59 PM)
WQRZ 103.5 FM can be listened to ONLINE (anywhere) at the following web adress:
http://ahimsa-radio1.indymedia.org/wqrz.m3u
Please don't put www. ... (It's exactly the above adress.)
We've been good friends since 2003. Brice did put alot of his own money into the station; time and time again - all so that the communities would be better protected and served.
The above web adress works better if you go to www.foobar2000.com and download the program.
Any quest. please call numbers at bottom of article!
Craig DeMetz, Los Angeles, California (Sent Nov 16, 2005 9:11:06 PM)
Many Kansan's were depoloyed to Hancock County EOC and worked with local EOC officials there. I to became friends with Brice and Christine and will never forget them or the others struggeling to rebuild their lives. Hancock County residents are recieving an invaluable boradcast service from their volunteer effort. I pray it will continue.
Laura Hyer, Fort Scott, Kansas (Sent Nov 17, 2005 10:19:30 AM)
One of the things Brice did extra for the communities is a special emergency alert system. Us best of friends would talk deep into the nights for over 2 years now as I'd listen what he's spending HIS money extra on this time (that he's not required to have by the FCC). Also, Chris is so loaded with jobs at the EOC location right now I really worry about her more than ever.
I consider these two close friends not only heroes;
but living saints.
Craig DeMetz (Sent Nov 17, 2005 5:43:27 PM)
I think that everyone shoul make a donation of $10.00 or more to this ststion as well as sign up on their list so that they have numbers for the FCC.
Tell all of your friends and they are even on the net so EVERYONE can listen in.
This si what media was intended to do and this is FREE SPEACH at its best. Shame on Harris!
Ayal New York State (Sent Nov 18, 2005 1:12:07 PM)
Since early this AM I have tried to tune into this station, nothing is coming in. Please don't tell me that they are off the "air".
susan, decatur, AL (Sent Nov 18, 2005 10:03:18 PM)
If anyone wants more information about the situation on the Mississippi coast check out: katrina.passchristian.net, sunherald.com, wlox.com, hssm.com, femaforgotwaveland.com, priceferrell.com, arloandjanis.com, sylentwitness.com and for some well done photography operationeden.com
jane, long beach, mississippi (Sent Nov 26, 2005 3:58:23 PM)
While supporting the Hancock County EOC, my wife and I became friends with Brice and Christine. No one can be around this couple without becoming friends. They share a passion in the operation of WQRZ and serving the people of Hancock County. They continually put others before themselves. If you can, help Brice and Christine by helping the radio station. Also, send an email to Harris Corp. about their "donation." They received a lot of publicity over this and should now make good on their donation.
Janet and Dennis Moen (Sent Nov 29, 2005 10:39:16 PM)
I completely agree with Janet, Dennis and the other wonderful people from Kansas who had the pleasure of meeting Brice and Christine. They are two wonderful people who have given everything of themselves and have asked for nothing in return. The Harris corp. needs to know what a "donation" is.
Brian, Johnson County, KS (Sent Dec 1, 2005 3:37:20 PM)
It was great to meet Brice and Christine, I have never seen anyone work as hard as those two. Mississippi has a long road to recovery ahead.
let us all keep up the the good will and hard work,come on down and roll up your sleeves and rebiuld some one's house.
Rich Paterson, New York (Sent Feb 1, 2006 8:49:55 AM)
Why can't we spend some taxpayer money to benefit Americans. The lack of government response for fellow taxpayers after Katrina was insulting to me. Let them get some imperitive information so they can get back to some type of normalcy.
Bill Gee, N. Olmsted, Ohio (Sent May 29, 2006 12:53:26 PM)
We have the same problem here in New Zealand... If you leave it to the government nothing will get done and if it does its to little to late... People like this need the community supportjust as they supported your community.
Dale Forsyth, Dunedin, New Zealand (Sent Oct 30, 2006 1:10:42 PM)
I came late to this story, but better late than never. I agree that the "government" should provide funding to help keep Brice and Christine's station on air, but let's face the facts people, it probably won't happen. It's up to "we the people". Yes, there are tons of other non-profit organizations that need our support, but this one strikes at the heart of civilized society. How many of us would just give up if we were in their shoes? Do without one pizza and one movie at the theater this month, donate what it would have cost to this cause... It's simple, go to the WQRZ website, print the donation page, fill it out and send a check. Think of it as building karma if you have to, any of us lose our health, home, family member or friend tomorrow. Do something good today.
Tom Ward, Leavenworth, Kansas (Sent Sep 17, 2007 7:58:26 PM)
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