| FCC Permits Employees to Use Amateur Radios in Disaster Drills (July 10) |
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) amended its rules to permit amateur radio operators to transmit messages during emergency preparedness drills, regardless of whether they are employees of entities participating in the drill.
Previously, FCC regulations prohibited employees from operating amateur stations during drills without a drill-specific waiver from the agency. The American Hospital Association requested the rule change, which applies to both government and privately sponsored drills, because some hospital emergency plans include the use of amateur (“HAM”) radios as backup when traditional means of communication fail. Hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission must test their emergency operations plans twice a year, including how they will communicate in an emergency or disaster. “Although public safety land mobile radio systems are the primary means of radio-based communications for emergency responders, experience has shown that amateur radio has played an important role in preparation for, during, and in the aftermath of natural and man-made emergencies and disasters,” the FCC said in adopting the new rule. Contact: Christopher Smith |
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