Friday, August 8, 2014

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.