The radio group I work with has worked with the Blaine, WA ACS many times and I sometimes participate in their Sunday radio networks (held 30 minutes after my group's net).
Blaine's The Northern Light has a nice write-up:
Ham radio buffs in Blaine dedicate themselves to community service
When the deadliest landslide in American history swept Oso two years ago, amateur ham radio operators from Blaine volunteered their skills to save lives.
Members of Blaine’s Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) spent 172 hours on duty at the Snohomish County Emergency Operations Center and Darrington Command Vehicle. They reported safety issues, injuries and work stoppages on the scene and created a backup communications network where the landslide had cut Internet and phone service, said Scott Honaker, the Snohomish County communications coordinator.
One of the reasons for ham radio:
The Oso tragedy revealed a sobering truth: ordinary communication networks can fail in crises – and when they do, ham radio operators are an invaluable asset. But for most, ham radio is a hobby – testing the limits of the technology, communicating with other amateur radio operators around the globe or even racking up their number of contacts to score titles in contests.
Then there are the “hams,” as they call themselves, who utilize the technology for community service.
“Every ham isn’t an emergency services guy, but many emergency services communicators are ham operators,” ACS member Bill Bullock said.
Even if they have backup power, cell towers will become overwhelmed. Land lines are out as is internet. I can run for several days on a couple of car batteries and have solar panels to keep them charged so I can operate indefinitely. Lots more at the article.
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