On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:30:06 GMT, Gary S. wrote:

For some public service events, we have considered a two level
network, with hams doing the more than a mile comms, and non-hams with
FRS doing the close range, relaying through the hams as needed.

That is exactly the scheme that we use in Washington County
(Suburban Portland, OR) with the ARES/RACES and the CERT teams.
(ARES and RACES are co-contiguous here, not separate groups.)

ARES = Ameater Radio Emergency Service - area-wide and long-haul
inter- and intra-agency communications only. Control remains with
amateur group leadership acting within Memoranda of Understanding.

CERT = Civilian Emergency Response Team - first aid, traffic and
access control, light rescue, and victim assistance responsibilities
supported by on-scene communications. CERT teams are sponsored
directly and controlled by local emergency management officials. A
number of CERT members have gone on to study and qualify for amateur
radio licenses.

RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - communications under
control of emergency management officials used to supplement or
replace their communications facilities, used after declaration of
civil emergency by competent authorities.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon