Public health and medical services are stressed by surge in the event of a disaster. Loss of external services, especially communications can further increase the load on healthcare services. Natural disasters have crippled infrastructure in many major cities this past year. Puerto Rico went weeks without basics like food and water. It took weeks to restore electrical service and communications. The middle of a disaster is not the time to be developing new communications solutions. Facilities, counties, township must prepare in advance to handle a catastrophic infrastructure collapse.

This symposium is an opportunity for the Amateur Radio community and Health Care professionals to come together to learn, discuss and shape the future of ESF #8 disaster communications.