While poking around for additioal information preps, I discovered there are a lot more RF bands in use then I initially thought. Between REACT, ARRL/ARES, RACES, and the local emergency services, I'm seeing: HF and above ham bands, MURS, CB, FRS/GMRS, and LMR. I'm hoping that listening in on these channels could provide information well before it percolatesw down to the broadcast AM radio emergency stations.

Is there any real advantage to monitoring these, and one better then the others for this?

I looked at, but I'm not interested in ATM, at getting a ham or GMRS licence.