Comments Sought on Waiver for Hospitals to Use Amateur Radio in Drills

In response to a request by the American Hospital Association (AHA) working in conjunction with state hospital associations, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau are seeking comments on a blanket waiver that would permit hospitals to use amateur radios during emergency preparedness drills.

AHA filed the request in response to The Joint Commission’s requirement that hospitals prepare an emergency operations plan specifying alternative forms of communication to use during emergencies and establishing back-up communications links, including amateur radio stations, if primary communications systems fail.

Comments on the request are due April 2. Reply comments are due April 19.

For more information, visit the Federal Communications Commission website at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-365A1.txt

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