THE WIRELESS FOUNDATION HONORS ONSTAR SUBSCRIBER
Company press release.
WASHINGTON – An OnStar subscriber was honored by The Wireless Foundation for using her vehicle's telematics system as a temporary command center to help campers injured during violent thunderstorms at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012.
Carole Cooper was named a 2013 Wireless Samaritan at the 19th Annual VITA™ Achievement Awards Dinner on Monday evening, put on by The Wireless Foundation.
Cooper was vacationing near the park when severe thunderstorms swept through the area knocking down a number of trees and creating a dangerous situation for those outdoors. Cooper was walking her dog in the park when she noticed a number of campers in distress, including an unconscious 7-year-old girl; her father, later discovered to have suffered multiple broken ribs; and her mother, who was less seriously injured.
Cooper ran to her Chevrolet Tahoe and drove it onto the scene to use it as a central emergency station. Other people in the area helped bring campers in distress, including the family of three, to Cooper's SUV. Cooper then called OnStar, where an emergency advisor relayed emergency medical instructions.
The OnStar advisor directed first responders to the scene. But with the roads blocked by the downed trees, they were forced to travel on foot into the campsite. Because the public safety communication system was down, Cooper's vehicle became a makeshift command post as the rescue workers used her OnStar connection to communicate with other emergency personnel. It took four to five hours for enough trees to be cleared for rescue workers to drive Cooper's Tahoe far enough out of the park to get the injured family to safety. They were all transferred to a nearby hospital once rescue workers were able to get them out of the affected area.
About OnStar LLC
OnStar, LLC (OnStar) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC ('GM'). Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture involving OnStar, Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd (SGM) and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC)), OnStar serves more than 6.4 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China. OnStar is a provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology and is available on 39 GM branded 2013 model year vehicles. OnStar's key services include automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance, remote door unlock, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle diagnostics and hands-free calling.
About The Wireless Foundation
The Wireless Foundation (www.wirelessfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing and supporting initiatives that use wireless technology to help American communities. The Foundation's innovative programs benefit consumers in areas such as education, healthcare, safety and the environment. As part of its Annual Achievement Awards, the Foundation recognizes VITA™ Wireless Samaritans and honors the best of our nation's leadership, its youth and its scholars. The Foundation was formed by CTIA-The Wireless Association® member companies in 1991.
WASHINGTON – An OnStar subscriber was honored by The Wireless Foundation for using her vehicle's telematics system as a temporary command center to help campers injured during violent thunderstorms at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012.
Carole Cooper was named a 2013 Wireless Samaritan at the 19th Annual VITA™ Achievement Awards Dinner on Monday evening, put on by The Wireless Foundation.
Cooper was vacationing near the park when severe thunderstorms swept through the area knocking down a number of trees and creating a dangerous situation for those outdoors. Cooper was walking her dog in the park when she noticed a number of campers in distress, including an unconscious 7-year-old girl; her father, later discovered to have suffered multiple broken ribs; and her mother, who was less seriously injured.
Cooper ran to her Chevrolet Tahoe and drove it onto the scene to use it as a central emergency station. Other people in the area helped bring campers in distress, including the family of three, to Cooper's SUV. Cooper then called OnStar, where an emergency advisor relayed emergency medical instructions.
The OnStar advisor directed first responders to the scene. But with the roads blocked by the downed trees, they were forced to travel on foot into the campsite. Because the public safety communication system was down, Cooper's vehicle became a makeshift command post as the rescue workers used her OnStar connection to communicate with other emergency personnel. It took four to five hours for enough trees to be cleared for rescue workers to drive Cooper's Tahoe far enough out of the park to get the injured family to safety. They were all transferred to a nearby hospital once rescue workers were able to get them out of the affected area.
About OnStar LLC
OnStar, LLC (OnStar) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC ('GM'). Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture involving OnStar, Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd (SGM) and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC)), OnStar serves more than 6.4 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China. OnStar is a provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology and is available on 39 GM branded 2013 model year vehicles. OnStar's key services include automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance, remote door unlock, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle diagnostics and hands-free calling.
About The Wireless Foundation
The Wireless Foundation (www.wirelessfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing and supporting initiatives that use wireless technology to help American communities. The Foundation's innovative programs benefit consumers in areas such as education, healthcare, safety and the environment. As part of its Annual Achievement Awards, the Foundation recognizes VITA™ Wireless Samaritans and honors the best of our nation's leadership, its youth and its scholars. The Foundation was formed by CTIA-The Wireless Association® member companies in 1991.
