ARRL Board Reaffirms Commitment to
Emergency Communications
Responding to criticism from members about the ARRL's plans
to de-emphasize the use of the term "emergency communications" in
favor of "public service communications," and inspired by FEMA
Administrator Craig Fugate's speech at the League's centennial banquet, the
ARRL board of directors passed a resolution "on behalf of the
membership" in which it reaffirmed "its commitment and desire to
further improve and enhance Amateur Radio’s participation and standing in
emergency communications for the benefit of the nation’s emergency response
agencies and the American public." The resolution also cited the FCC rules
which recognize amateur radio's value "particularly with respect to
providing emergency communications" and Fugate's reference to the
"emergency communications capabilities" of amateur radio.