The only way to learn is by making mistakes. These mistakes should be done in "training" or discussions, which this board conviently provides.

As for using the radio's, you might want to do further research and determine which frequencies are going to be useful to you in an emergency. i.e. weather service, local, state, federal and amateur emergency frequencies. Do realize though, that most really "good" emergency information is going to be passed over the phone or face-to-face. Only the really bad urgent stuff will be over a radio.