Blackburn Radio Engineer Brian Hinz has been recognized by the Sarnia Police Service for creating the Emergency Alert Radio System.
The EARS program was developed and installed by Hinz in 1994 to alert the public during times of crisis.
It allowed Sarnia police to access the airwaves of all three radio stations during satellite automation hours.
The program was recently shut down with other systems using newer technology coming on stream including the CRTC mandated national public alerting system called NAAD.
Thursday, Sarnia Police Chief Phil Nelson presented the Community Service Award to Hinz, commending him for his outstanding contribution in the interest of public safety.
Sarnia police also recognized Detective Constable Mike Howell for his efforts in establishing a successful fentanyl Patch 4 Patch exchange program in Sarnia-Lambton.
A provincial bill, outlining the program that was first developed in North Bay, completed its final reading in Queen's Park Thursday to make the program a law in Ontario.
