REACT History
The idea of using CB radio in an organized way for emergency communications was born in a Chicago snowstorm using the CB to get help for a young family broke down on an expressway with a very sick child.
January 23, 1962
REACT's founder, Henry B. "Pete" Kreer, convinced Hallicrafters Company to sponsor the REACT program. The initial requirements for a Team was three members who agreed to monitor hours for CB emergencies and the first REACT colors were red and black. There were no dues or other requirements except to comply with federal and state regulations.
1964
It was determined that there was a need for a National CB Emergency Channel. REACT National Headquarters asked all REACT Teams to monitor the channel as a voluntary emergency channel. REACT was up to 800 Teams at this time.
1967
REACT led a movement to convince the FCC to designate channel 9 as the CB emergency channel.
1969
General Motors Research Labs assumed sponsorship of REACT and in the same year Jerry Reese came to REACT as Managing Director with Henry B. Kreer remaining with the title of Executive Director.
1970 to 1972
The Ohio REACT Emergency Network was formed, the same date that channel 9 became an official emergency channel under FCC rules. This network issued several reports to state and federal agencies to show the relationship between REACT and channel 9 as the emergency channel. This led to the later formation of the Ohio State REACT Council as a pattern for future Councils. REACT colors were changed to orange and black. The Red Cross agreement was reached and "Where Seconds Count" was produced. Dues were $1.00 per member with a $5.00 charter fee. All teams - new and existing - were issued a charter number. Teams chartered in 1970 are charter teams and designated with a "C" front of their numbers.
April 24, 1973
NBC's Today Show televised an interview with Gerald Reese and Henry Kreer. Their talk about the REACT program over 220 affiliated stations created over 500 inquiries about the REACT program.
1975
REACT broke from GM and started as an independent organization. REACT International received not-for-profit status in Illinois.
1976
The first REACT National Convention was held at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. REACT's first Board of Directors was started in 1976 and REACT was represented at the first White House Conference on CB radio. REACT Month began in 1976 and was granted recognition as a fully tax exempt organization from the IRS. All teams were included under this group exemption. This enables REACT to receive tax deductible contributions.
1977
The REACT Convention was held at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. The American Trucking Association and REACT cosponsored the first REACT Safety Break Program. REACT was awarded a contract for the purpose of producing a training program for the NEAR (National Emergency Aid Radio) program for the National Highway Traffic Association. REACT Help Flags were introduced and the number of REACT Councils grew to 40.
1978
the 3rd Annual REACT International Convention was held at Baldwin Wallace College in Berio, Ohio. REACT membership was at 74,000 members and the CB boom was at it's peak. REACT members nominated the first Field Members to the REACT International Board of Directors and an agreement with the Special Olympics provided for local teams to furnish communications for events.
1979
he 4th Annual REACT International Convention was conducted at Penn State University Beaver Campus, Beaver, Pennsylvania, and had an attendance of 273 and dues were raised to $5.00 per member. The late 1970's brought declining membership and declining CB use.
1980
The REACT International Convention was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Life Membership was introduced to REACT members, the Forum became and reality and advertising in the REACTer was taken for the first time. The first mail ballot from teams was held to elect the first Forum Officers.
1981
The International Convention was hosted by the lndiana REACT Council in Indianapolis, Indiana, and dues were increased to $7.00 per member. Peter Kreer was replaced by Gerald Reese as Executive Director. Convention rotation was approved (Western to Central to Eastern to Central, etc.)
1982
The REACT International Convention was held in Las Vegas where the President's Volunteer Action Award was received. REACT's 20th year was celebrated with the addition of more than 200 teams in REACT UK and participation in South Africa, Australia and other places around the world. At our 20th Anniversary as an organization, we could proudly and without qualification state that REACT was the most significant organization of its type anywhere in the world.
1983
The REACT International Convention was held in Wichita Kansas, and Sedgewick County REACT was the first team to host a Convention. At this time membership was 1,000 teams and 18,000 members.
1984
The REACT International Convention was held in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dues were increased to $10.00 per member. "CB Coalition Against Drunk Driving" was formed. The REACTer changed to white paper from newsprint. Liability insurance coverage was increased from $500,000 to $1 million. The team officer bonding insurance program was added. Eugene Goebel, a charter member of the Board of Directors since it was established in 1975, died. The Eugene Goebel Memorial Award Fund was started to recognize REACT members who give outstanding service. REACT joined GE Radio in supporting GE's proposal on the Personal Radio Service.
