[HIham] FCC NPRM 10-45, pertaining to amateur radio operators/employees during drills

[Ron Hashiro]

The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) pertaining to 
exempting amateur radio operators who are employees participating in a 
government sponsored drill.  See ARRL article:

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/03/25/11405/?nc=1

You can read the text of the NPRM.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-45A1.pdf


An excerpt from the NPRM states:

"Furthermore, we propose that the emergency tests and drills must be 
sponsored by Federal, state, or local governments or agencies, in order 
to limit the narrow exception to ensure that drills further public 
safety. We note, however, that there may be circumstances where 
conducting emergency drills for disaster planning purposes, even if not 
government-sponsored, would serve the public interest. *Accordingly, we 
seek comment on whether we should permit employee operation of amateur 
stations during non-government-sponsored emergency drills,* [emphasis 
added] if the purpose of the drill is to assess communications 
capabilities, including amateur radio, in order to improve emergency 
preparedness and response.

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ARRL reported on a request by the American Hospital Association on a 
blanket waiver for their testing during accreditation tests.  The 
deadline on those comments are due April 2.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/03/04/11375/?nc=1

Now is the time to provide constructive input into these two 
long-standing matters.  Please read the links, participate and shape the 
rule making.

Ron Hashiro, AH6RH
Honolulu, HI