Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association President Tom Wheeler has announced this year’s Vita Wireless Samaritans, all of whom used their wireless phones to save, protect or improve themselves or the lives of those around them.
CTIA will honor a person from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico June 7, at the Wireless Foundation dinner in Washington, D.C., at which time the winners also will meet the members of Congress from each of their home states.
Individual wireless carriers submitted nominations to a panel of judges representing law enforcement and other emergency services, who then chose the winners. Initially the awards honored four or five people, but because of the rapid growth of wireless communications, the awards were expanded to all 50 states last year, said Jeffrey Nelson, director of communications, CTIA.
In the United States, 74 million wireless customers make more than 98,000 911 and equivalent emergency service calls everyday.
“The awards put a face on wireless safety,” said Nelson.
Wheeler’s announcement kicks off National Wireless Safety Week, which runs through May 28. According to CTIA, honoring the Vita Wireless Samaritans encourages others to take advantage of their phones to make improvements in their own communities.
Some of the winners include:
Jason Diaz, New York-After his friend was shot during a mugging, Diaz founded Cab Watch, a nonprofit organization that links taxis with the police through 911-dedicated wireless phones. In the organization’s first four months, cabbies using wireless phones initiated four arrests, facilitated emergency response to 17 accidents and reported two fires.
Michael Asing, Hawaii-Asing assists an elderly neighbor, who often contacts Asing on his wireless phone. Asing has helped out in emergencies as well as in everyday chores such as shopping and coordinating the elderly man’s rides to the doctor’s office.
Nadine Redd, Iowa-During a flood last summer, Redd used her wireless phone to report downed power lines and a washed-away bridge. She also used her phone to coordinate volunteer efforts to find others food, shelter and clothing.
Rosemarie Ross, Massachusetts-Ross used her wireless phone to call for help after a tractor-trailer drive shaft left in the middle of the road caused an 11-car accident. She also let the accident victims use her phone so they could call their families.
Adolfo Perez, Florida-Perez was able to duck into a closet with his wireless phone and call for help after a psychiatric patient at the hospital he was working at started shooting people.
John Martin Jr., Vermont-During an ice fishing outing with his friends, Martin used his phone to call for help after the ice they were sitting on broke away from the shore and began drifting out to open waters.
