A Prince George man's contributions in emergency radio communications have earned him a
Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers award from B.C. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton.
In addition to a 35-year radio communications career in the federal public service, Frank VanderZande has been teaching amateur radio since 1970, according to a biography provided by the ministry.
He served two terms as president of the Prince George Amateur radio club and is the North East Provincial Emergency Operations Centre Radio Station manager.
He has been associated with the Red Cross as a disaster management emergency response team member since 2001, and has been the project lead for the Prince George Amateur Radio Club emergency communication trailer, now used to support search and rescue efforts across northern B.C.
Vanderlande earned a amateur radio certificate at age 14, took a lead role in the development of amateur emergency communications through his work with Industry Canada and has participated in the amateur radio clubs in every community he has lived in.
Vanderlande "has also made himself available on call for countless hours on 24-7 basis to provide much needed services to local communities during response activities," Anton said.
The award was presented to Vanderlande on Wednesday night.
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