A California Public Benefit Corporation
Team Number: C-57

 
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THE JIM GALBREATH AWARD

In 2011, after Jim Galbreath, Unit 2, became a silent key, Blackberry REACT decided to generate an annual award to honor members of our community who had committed their time to volunteering including community and emergency communications, which was beyond what might be normally expected of a volunteer. The Team received several generous donations on behalf of Jim, and those funds have been earmarked for this award.

Jim was a Scout Master for Troop 80 in Mountain View for 41 years and during that time, he became interested in radio communications (he was a radio officer in World War II) and introduced it to his scout troop to it in the form of CB radios. In 1978, he joined a REACT Team, Blackberry REACT, and served as President for several years. During parades and other functions in Mountain View, Blackberry REACT worked with the police to monitor the crowds and give assistance to those who needed it. Before cell phones were readily available, members monitored emergency radio communications both day and night to assist travelers and others who needed help. Over the years, hundreds of people were helped by Jim and the other Blackberry REACT members. In honor of his commitment to volunteering, the community, and emergency communications, Jim was awarded the first "Jim Galbreath Award" in 2010, which continues to be awarded annually to deserving community members.

Over the years, the types of radio communications that Blackberry REACT uses had evolved from the CB radio, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) to and including Amateur Radio. The Team can use all of those currently, but emphasis has evolved to use Amateur Radio for many of the Team’s activities. Over 80% of the Team’s members hold Amateur licenses. As a result, the Team’s members are also involved in local and County ARES/RACES activities that emphasis training for communications in an emergency. The Team has recognized that members of that community put in many hours of volunteer time teaching, training and preparing for emergencies where they can use their communications skills when other "normal" means of communication become unavailable. For those reasons, Blackberry REACT has awarded the Jim Galbreath award to some of the outstanding community volunteers who are involved in volunteering for emergency communications.

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