Some background regarding my personal experience:
-Emergency Operations Coordinator for a large corporation (site was ~10,000 people)
-Trained in the various levels of FEMA incident command
-Some ARES experience with one 2 week deployment for a regional disaster
-Currently certified as a structural and wildlands firefighter and EMR medical responder
So, I have seen the emergency operations scene from the inside of a large corporation, the local county, the Medical Reserve Corp. and the CERT city organizations.
I have always been prepared at a basic level with 2 weeks supplies and equipment in my truck and a longer list of supplies at home. I am not a prepper so to speak, but just trying to be reasonably prepared for an unknown situation.
The recent virus situation has prompted me to think more about how quickly things can go sideways and in ways we don't expect. I have always been quite aware of how our "just in time" supply management has set us up for running out of perishables in about 48 hours. The general public hasn't seemed very aware this in the past but maybe we are all going to be more aware of this in the future.
My primary concerns are the following:
1. How disconnected the state and counties are from amateur radio resources (at least in my area of the country).
2. The lack of awareness of a solar storm incident and the potential outcome of one.
Here in Western Oregon it seems the subduction zone earthquake and potential tsunami are on the minds of the leaders and some planing and simulations occur. However, I hear nothing about preparation for a solar storm event. My understanding is we are overdue for another event and depending on the severity it could take out the power grid and most electronics. The last one melted all the telegraph wires but we weren't depended on electricity or electronics when it happened. Given that most gear we use and is used in public service is all solid state and we are depended on computers for everything, where would we be after a solar event? A solar event kind of makes a good argument for tube gear as a possible back up.
I also sometimes wonder if many other areas of the country are better prepared just because they have to deal with the typical hurricane or tornado seasonal events. Here in Oregon we have not had a major situation since the floods in the early 90's. Other than an annual simulation we get no real practice. However, in regards to a solar event there seems to be no discussion.
Thoughts anyone?
Dave
NA7V
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859