New Public Emergency Communications Network Formed

FRS Channel 1 may soon be a familiar place to go in an emergency.
Several organizations are supporting a new, free communications network based on the 100 million or so Family Radio Service-compatible radios in use. The National SOS Radio Network connects FRS and FRS/General Mobile Radio Service radios with 700,000 amateur radio operators and 70,000 licensed GMRS radio users who are also proficient emergency communicators.
Groups supporting the effort include Midland Radio Corp., REACT International, the DC Emergency Radio Network and NationalSOS.com. They say FRS radios don’t require an operator license; they can be used by anyone of almost any age; and they are cheap, available for $10 to $30.
The National SOS initiative recommends that the public use FRS Channel 1 as a primary emergency communications channel because it is easy to remember and has been endorsed by radio manufacturers and REACT, which introduced FRS radios in 2000.
In a crisis, ham radio, GMRS and scanner operators can monitor FRS Channel 1 by listening to 462.5625 MHz. When a cry for help is received from an FRS radio, emergency responders can be notified.