I am collecting after-action reports from real-life amateur radio activations to gather lessons learned. Not all events are communications emergencies that require amateur radio support, but volunteer groups might be utilized in many ways other than with radios. Please message me if you have anything to share.
David Wilma
KG7LEA
Seattle ACS
Maybe the activity and utilization varies by regions. Here in the SE NY, there is ARES/RACES and Skywarn.
Occasionally, the ARES/RACES group is called upon to help with local events like motor cross, etc. I don't think they even do that anymore, because the promoters told them they participate at their own risk.
Even though the ARES/RACES hams are obligated to attend HSA training, they are NEVER included in real local emergency events, so there would be no "after action" reports if there was no action.
For that reason I am not a member. It's a whole lot of effort for nothing, IMO.
However those same individuals do provide their own information during emergencies about downed power lines, blocked roads and the like, which I find very useful. You don't need a HSA coarse to do that!
Maybe it's different on the left coast, but on this side it is indeed "crickets".