In addition to battling blazing fires in burning buildings, firefighters in Texas are volunteering to help citizens battle confusion over the transition to digital television. Five of the local fire departments in the Rio Grande Valley area, and the Hidalgo County Emergency Services Division have teamed up to help the 2-1-1 service and local television stations in providing assistance to citizens in hooking up their digital-to-analog converter boxes.
These citizens include the elderly and the disabled who may otherwise be left in the dark after the February 17 deadline for the digital transition.
It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of the Rio Grande Valley homes currently have cable or satellite television subscriptions, and 30 percent of consumers receive over-the-air signals television signals. Those citizens who are currently watching with analog television without a paid subscription service and are receiving television signals via an antenna will have to obtain a digital converter box to continue watching their favorite shows. KRGV NewsChannel 5 general manager John Kittleman has stated “that the Valley’s percentage of over-the-air homes is the highest in the continental United States”. He and others are concerned that possibly half of the 108,000 homes in the Valley area receiving television via antennas will not be ready.
In order to receive assistance in installing your converter boxes from our heroes in the firefighter department and other emergency responders, you must have already purchased your converter box and/or digital antennas. If you have purchased the needed items and cannot move your television to install the equipment or need other help installing the box or antenna dial 2-1-1 and help will be on their way. This service is being provided to make sure all citizens have a chance to continue watching television after the analog to digital transition. As this particular program is being established in the Rio Grande Valley area and other areas around the United States, please call your local firefighter departments to see if they are participating in this community effort in your area.
written by acwriter
Ref: http://www.themonitor.com/articles/residents_21452___article.html/dtv_homes.html
