I'm not speculating - I am a first responder, in charge of first responders. My personal cell phone number is NOT in a specified database because I would have had to have Verizon put it there. That authority does not lie with the customer to do so.
I'm in the Utility industry, in a Federal agency. I have also worked in this industry with a private employer. There's a heirarchy of communications that we use including internal phone systems and landlines, trunked radio, provided cell phones, provided satellite phones, personal cell phones, and home telephones. We operate over whatever medium is available. Often, the only means to contact personnel is a personal cell phone. This is especially true when somebody is out in a poor reception area, out of reach of our radio system.
As for roaming, I think you'd better study up on your RF operation before you even try to lecture me - part of my past includes working on interconnected and trunked radio systems, which operate very much like a cellular phone system. I know how it works.
No arguments from me. I happen to be intimately familiar with cellular/PCS and PSTN. Suffice to say, first responders are given priority when TSHTF. A lot was learned from the OKC incident, as well as WTC I and II.
The fact was stated here that the local cable feed went down shortly after this incident. This is to be predicted, so as not to allow anyone involved to perform an analysis on the effect and the response plan execution. Personally, I have no doubt that this bombing incident was planned and coordinated. I also have no problem with ther being zero live coverage, for now. Live coverage would give the planners opportunity to perform "real-time" evaluations, and exploit deficiencies in the response plans. Not trying to diss you, and thank you for your public service!