On 10/24/2014 9:31 PM, Paul W. Schleck wrote:
Can't speak for supporting a community of 11 million customers.
However, we know from past recent experience that it is workable for a
community of about 400,000 (Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding 12
counties). Windstream (nee Lincoln Telephone Company, nee Alltel) saw
their E911 system go down on two separate occasions.

Some of the highlights:

- Amateur radio operators were deployed very quickly and provided
meaningful support during the morning-to-evening outage (about 12
hours or so).

- The 62 volunteers that deployed followed a previously written,
practiced, and activated (on a smaller scale) "Y2K" plan, deploying
to 15 high-profile locations at intersections in the city of Lincoln
at the direction of the Lancaster County Emergency Management
Director and supported by the County's Emergency Operations Center
(EOC).

Some real numbers then.

- As part of the contingency plan, those in need of emergency services
could also go to the nearest police or fire station if practical, so
amateur radio served in an assistive, not substitute, role.

An important distinction.

So I'm thinking 15 "high visibility locations" and 45 or so local police
and fire department locations.

- Such plans, admittedly, seem to be more workable in smaller communities

Scalability always works in your favor in smaller scenarios.


--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com