[BC] Covering the Unexpected

[Wade Giddens]

This is a question aimed at small-market stations that run with small staffs 
and are automated much of the time.  How do you cover the unexpected or 
infrequent events that require board operators or live local announcers in 
excess of your regular on-air staff?  Some examples would be hurricanes, 
ball games, live remote broadcasts that are incompatible with satellite 
automation, etc.  I am aware of how some stations do this with the use of 
local residents, some of whom used to work in radio full-time, as part-time 
or emergency fill-in people.  Is this something with which you have had 
problems? Do you find it difficult to find people to fill these occasional 
slots?