Solar-powered call boxes

Three solar powered call boxes, like this one, have been set up around Peterson’s five and 10 kilometer trails. The call boxes use radio waves to transmit a call to the Peterson Installation Control Center. During an emergency, the caller simply pushes the bright red button on the box. They’re immediately connected with a dispatcher who can evaluate the level of the emergency and send help. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Eric Palmer)

Solar-powered call boxes

The solar powered call boxes are operated by pushing the red button to talk to a dispatcher and releasing the button to listen. The call boxes use radio waves to transmit a call to the Peterson Installation Control Center. During an emergency, the caller simply pushes the bright red button on the box. They’re immediately connected with a dispatcher who can evaluate the level of the emergency and send help. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Eric Palmer)

Solar-powered call boxes

The emergency call boxes are powered by the sun’s energy and allow people on the trails who run into problems to call for help. The call boxes use radio waves to transmit a call to the Peterson Installation Control Center. During an emergency, the caller simply pushes the bright red button on the box. They’re immediately connected with a dispatcher who can evaluate the level of the emergency and send help. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Eric Palmer)

Solar phones aid trail runners while maintaining energy efficiency

Published March 25, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Eric Palmer
21st Space Communication Squadron

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Runners on Peterson's five and 10 kilometer trails now have the ability to call for help even if they aren't carrying a cell phone.

Solar-powered call boxes have been added to the parts of the trails furthest from any buildings as a way for runners or walkers to call for help if they're in need of assistance.

The call boxes use radio waves to transmit a call to the Peterson Installation Control Center. During an emergency, the caller simply pushes the bright red button on the box. They're immediately connected with a dispatcher who can evaluate the level of the emergency and send help. The call boxes are equipped with Global Positioning Systems, which give the responders the location and call box number of the caller's phone.

There are three boxes located on the trail. The first box is on Stewart Avenue just past the intersection with Mitchell Street. The second is near the playground on the path off to the right side of Stewart Avenue by the new base exchange and commissary area. The third is on the same path near the 21st Dental Squadron.

The boxes, which have been operational since Feb. 25, are also environmentally friendly. The boxes' solar paneling powers the boxes during the day, while also storing energy in internal batteries that power the call boxes during night-time hours.

"I think the new call boxes are convenient and very necessary along the five and 10 kilometer trails," said Capt. Amalia McCaffrey, 21st Space Communications Squadron Readiness Flight commander. "The most important reason for this project was safety and if these call boxes help to save just one life then all the resources and manpower was worth it."

The purchase and placement of the boxes were originally slated to cost approximately $34,800, with each box costing $1,600 and $10,000 for the installation of each. With the work of several squadrons on base, the cost of the implementation was eventually reduced to $4,800, saving taxpayers $30,000.

How to report an emergency

- Press the button to talk to the dispatcher
- Release the button to hear the dispatcher come on the line
- Press the button to talk and release to listen
- Describe the emergency and answer the dispatcher's questions