This great idea... not only for family and friends, but for neighborhoods, streets, cul-de-sacs, and multifamily housing facilities. However, somewhat complicated... what other means can be used, that would cover a 5 mile radius and not cost an arm and a leg?

This is a great idea, but there isn't very much that DHS and/or FEMA can do about this one. This would fall under the heading of taking personal responsibility and family preparedness. And maybe that is the focus that DHS should take, to encourage more personal responsibility and to rely on big government for less. That way, we won't be as disappointed with their response.

What's the idea or suggestion for DHS here?

What's the idea or suggestion for DHS here? I believe this suggestion for DHS here to help and streamlining the process of obtaining a license and of course help with the training. If we had DHS certified stations set up, then of course DHS and FEMA would know exactly where every one of these stations were and could utilize them, even when they're outside the immediate crisis area. These stations could be activated for everything from wildfires, to a suspicious vessel off the coast line. The stations would only be limited by one's imagination. It would be operational, even when the phone, cell, in emergency frequencies were down.

In response to earlier comments ham radio operators are already incorporated in DHS/FEMA planning through the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) with numerous stations set up at county and city EOC's across the nation. The problem is that this helps inter-agency communications but not citizen to citizen communication or disaster agency to citizen communications in the event that all broadcast stations are knocked out such as could happen in a major New Madrid earthquake in the Central US. One solution that DHS/FEMA could fund at minimal expense would be the addition to these RACES stations of equipment capable of broadcasting an AM signal on a frequency just below 4 Mhz. Such frequencies are already authorized for ham use but AM transmitting equipment is rarely used these days. However many inexpensive hand crank portable emergency radios used by the public would be able to receive these broadcasts which would relay information from disaster response officials about which evacuation routes are open and which are not, where emergency medical help is available, etc. More on this in the ideas section. As to another post about expensive equipment, CB radios have a 5 mile range and are cheap. Thrift stores often sell used ones for $5 or $10.

To: Homeland Security & FEMA The lack of overall integration of our Emergency Communication Responds Systems has in the past caused much wasting of personal and services going to the wrong areas and not getting the needed equipment or supplies into the disaster locations. I am dismayed that government still has not leaned the lessons of the past five years and all the monies spent haven’t increased Interoperability Effectively. We as a nation have trouble talking to our emergency teams the next block or county over. This is because the government does not have a synergy Communications policy. We do have a Communication Community that is already available but our National, State and local governments give no or little credence to there abilities or worse look on them as non professionally trained resource. I am talking about the 600,000 Amateur Radio Operators in the nation. I am proud to be one and well trained in Communication Arts. I am a member of my county RACES group , Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services. Started back in the 1950’s by the FCC to provide Communications to State, Local, and National Governments in time of War. FEMA now has over all control over the training and sets general guide lines at the National level and the states can augment this to meet their local needs. The MARS, Military Affiliated Radio Systems, is older still going back to the 1920. I have been a member of this group for more than 40 years going back to the 60’s when I was a Navy Mars member, currently in Army Mars. I bring to your attention that you have people from all areas of the country that can augment your Local, State, and Regional communications needs if you included them into an over all communication’s network. The dedication of Amateur Radio Operators, Hams, to their communities and the nations have been reported to and acknowledge by Government Authorities and other NGO’s to have been of great help and need in times of disasters and war. Then way is our government still not effectively utilizing the Ham’s talents and training in the Communication Fields? The cost to government is very low the benefits are high and the Ham’s are willing to help. All you have to do is call and included them in your drills and plans. Thanks Dennis Baumgarte AE2EE!AAR2LD