Absolutely excellent, Ron, but I think you would have to agree that such
exercises are even more rare than actual communications emergencies.

==========================================

Sorry you missed the big region 5 exercise put on by Ky Office of
Homeland Security on April 19th Tom! Amateur radio absolutely ran the
show in the ice storm scenario. All EOC's activated as did a
Multi-Agency Coordination Center or MACC. Several mobile command
vehicles came into service such as the one owned by the regional
WMD/Haz-Mat/ Bio response team which was designed and built by hams. It
carries everything from public safety and sat phone communications to
amateur radio, fax and satellite internet connection. Several hospitals
also had amateur radio activated in their facility command centers.
Communications were conducted by better than 90% amateur radio personnel
on all the frequencies and modes used. Aside from handling real world
events during the exercise, the E-911 Centers stayed clear out of it and
let the hams do the job.

As a side note, amateur radio operators in Ky Region five have never had
a full blown Katrina sized response, ever. Aside from community and
regional exercises and real SkyWarn weather nets in severe weather
operations, these folks have had little chance at anything huge. One
county's hams, in the past notorious for not getting involved regularly,
even put on a good show and have decided to get more involved on a
regular basis now.

End result: Facilities and governments very impressed and many even
going to the trouble to allow (even to purchase!) fixed amateur radio
gear where none ever permanently was before. Mission accomplished. Just
being involved at any level can and will help make a difference.

We as amateur radio operators don't need a "disaster of the week", just
people who stay in the loop.

73,
Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
Former SEC Ky