It's funny - some hams are VERY wedded to "that's the way we've always done it". Out here in Queens (at least till the latest shift - not sure what is happening) - but for a decade our goal was

"Let's get the end user into a config where they don't know we're there, as fast as possible"

We spent a LOT of time on long distance WiFi (I was EC at the time, and delegated). We also spent a LOT, and I mean a LOT of time learning the ins and outs of the much dreaded Winlink2000. Yes, I know WLk2k is a pain on the HF bands, but it's NOT where we were putting our effort. We put our effort into using the existing VHF/UHF packet 'flexnet' backbone, where HF winlink was a deep fallback

We figured out how to configure winlink that it would use wired internet as a first choice, then the HighPower WiFi, then fall back to the packet, then finally to HF, and THAT was usualy via at least one hop on VHF (we have 2 fixed HF stations in the county, were they have generators, and VHF/UHF inbound nodes)

In addition, we have at least 2 portable voice repeaters ready to go (complete with cans)

We also have 4-5 VHF to internet gateways (PMBOs) within either direct, or 2 hops of everywhere in NYC, and obviously, with flexnet, we ccan route (in fact, we regularly tested a Long Island (eastern Nassau) to NY SEMO (Albany) pure RF packet link by at least 2 routes. We also have 3-4 spare digipeters for flexnet (and APRS) ready to go, and actually a spare PBX in one guys house.

In short, our main goal was to give our served users email back, at as high a baud rate as possible, as fast as possible, with voice as a nice 'tactical' adjunct

One of our served agency guys was one of the bigs in Salvation Army comms post Katrina, and he became a HUGE fan of Winlink - he knew about it from us, and made sure he grabbed the winlink guys from Texas. He said that was why THEY had communications and very few logistics issues compared to everyone else. The way he put it "the ability for the guys in the field to setup an excel spreadsheet with their needs, and email it to us 150-200 miles away, and for us to say 'OK - here is what is on what truck' made all the difference"