Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC FINES NORTH CAROLINIAN FOR IMPERSONATING LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL IN UNAUTHORIZED RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
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WASHINGTON, August 7, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today issued a $39,278 fine against Mr. Ocean Hinson of Surry County, North Carolina, for intentional misuse of a local public safety radio communications network in violation of section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.  Mr. Hinson impersonated first responders in unauthorized radio communications on Surry County’s licensed public safety frequency.    

On October 17, 2017, Surry County officials, responding to a fire alarm triggered at a local residence, transmitted a request for a unit from the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department.  Shortly thereafter, Mr. Hinson posing as “Westfield VFD Unit 7331” responded, using the mobile radio in his personal vehicle and stated that he was en route to the scene of the alarm.  Approximately four minutes later, Mr. Hinson, still identifying himself as Westfield VFD Unit 7331, contacted the dispatcher by radio and cancelled the call.  As a result of these two transmissions, no real first responder investigated the triggered residential fire alarm.  Fortunately, no fire actually occurred at the scene of the alarm.  

This enforcement action was first announced in October 2018 through a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture.  Today’s Forfeiture Order can be found at: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-19-82A1.pdf 

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).