This is nonsense.
I was learning to be a CERT volunteer with my local FD before I moved away from California.
They say the first thing to go in an earthquake will be the cell towers. They were relying on we locals with ham radios to patrol our local neighborhoods after an earthquake and report on downed buildings, powerlines, gas leaks, etc., so they can triage their rapid response teams.
I lived in an area with lots of hills and canyons, and a freeway that would cut the town in half if the overpasses collapsed. It was vital that we had ham radio relays that we practiced quarterly so that neighborhoods tucked into the canyons can get their signals out.
Big mistake, California.
-PJ
We had a huge slide in OSO in WA State.
The county spent huge money. Massive money, on a digital system. Purchased by a corrupt country EMS official.
It didn’t work, and not every agency could talk to every other.
How’d they get it done?
RACES. Yep, hams.