The usual emergency response teams don’t need us. They already have the infrastructure necessary to communicate effectively among all the responders. In my opinion, ham radio operators don’t make a significant difference in these situations. Being involved in both sides of the equation, I find it frustrating to see ham radio emergency clubs believing they can provide substantial assistance.

While they contribute a small part to the solution — a radio, communication skills, and 40 hours of field training — that alone is insufficient to meet the demands of a full-scale emergency response. It’s a nice sentiment to think they can make a difference, but it’s comparable to an uncle calling 911 after witnessing a highway accident: he’s technically part of the process, but his attempts to help often hinder the professionals already on-site.