Scenarios like Katrina remind some of the EMS service planners that it's helpful to incorporate Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) into their disaster planning. Ham radio can provide local and long distance communication, point to point if needed, and using repeaters and networks as available. It's interesting to note that most volunteer run ham repeaters have better backup power and contingency operating modes than some of their commercial counterparts.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to drilling with folks that are not from within the organization sometimes. When TSHTF is not when you want to learn how to operate with mixed modes and across organizations. After Katrina, the local Hams, and supporting Amateurs around the country were doing local comms for police/fire in the area, and also provided health and welfare messages to/from families across the country before some of the "official" disaster response services even had their own local communications set up.

Live and learn,

Ron (N1GFS)