This White Paper is a little dated, but still pertinent. From the
NRCEV's perspective, the fact that this paper calls for the
credentialling of Amateur Radio Operators as far back as 2005 by non-
amateur radio communications experts helps to provide validation of
the need for our efforts in this area.

This White Paper was prepared by the Space & Advanced Communications
Research Institute (SACRI) at George Washington University.

Quoted from the cover Page:

"Note: This White Paper draws a number of sources including
presentations at the National Conference on Emergency Communications
(NCEC) held at the George Washington University on December 12-13,
2005. This conference featured some thirty different speakers
selected from the federal as well as state and local governments, a
wide range of industry spokespeople, several professional societies,
relief organizations and NGOs, universities, and other interested
parties. There were thirty different sponsors. These presentations,
the attendees at this conference and the many sponsors of this event
are included on the web page www.emergencycomconference.org (link is
no longer active - NRCEV) The sponsors are also listed in the
Appendices attached to this report. This White Paper also includes
elements drawn from relevant web sites and many other documents
prepared by concerned academic, standards and industry organizations
who have offered information and recommendations about emergency
communications as well as warning and recovery efforts in the wake
of Hurricane Katrina, the Pakistan Earthquake and the Asian Tsunami.
Although this White Paper has been extensively coordinated with many
individuals including speakers at the NCEC and its sponsors the
views expressed in this document are solely those of the team at
George Washington University that prepared this report."

This White Paper lists 27 major finding. Of most interest to EmComm
volunteers is Finding #8, which reads.

"Finding No. 8: Need for National Credential System to Aid in
Recovery. During a disaster different people from many different
sectors (electrical power, natural gas, fire, police, medical,
utilities, etc.) as well as from different governmental units, must
be available to respond effectively. This means they must have the
right access, coordinate their work and communicate.

Steps that that might be taken in this respect include:

(a) Issuance-at the national level-of recognized and federally
authenticated picture and badge credentials that allow needed access
to impacted areas so that communications technicians, utility and
infrastructure repair, etc. can restore critical services. This
would allow many different government agencies (local, tribal,
county, state, federal, national guard and authorized restoration
crews) to respond immediately without receiving local or state
credentials;

(b) Train and "credential" experienced amateur radio operators and
radio and television station personnel (at the federal and local
levels) in certain key functions, codes and operations so they can
more effectively assist with and coordinate disaster recovery
operations when other communications resource is not available."

You can read the full document at: http://www.nrcev.org/wp-
content/uploads/2008/11/final_version_white_paper.pdf