[W1SMH] Ham Radio in disaster

[raycord at aol.com]

While RACES ACS or AEC (or whatever the name is this month)
is trying to find an identity with MEMA and the SIEC.
It appears that those states to our south that have more frequent WX events have a plan.
While I will be the first to admit that RACES has outlived its usefulness ( Watch out for the Lightening Bolt)
Not to include Amateur Radio in a State Communications plan is foolhardy. While system failures may be rare (or not)
channel overload certainly is a common occurrence. 
In the attached newsletter from DHS Office of Emergency Communications, the highly trained COML's involved used
Ham radio intelligently and accomplished the mission.
Maybe rather than trying to reinvent the wheel our state leaders could take some learning experiences from those 
who came through the fire.
Best wishes


Ray Cord K2TGX
Deputy Director Norton EMA
Secretary SEMEMDA