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EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT SETS THEM APART.  EARLY IN MY LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRAINING THE DIFFERENCE WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THIS WAY A DISASTER HAPPENS TO
YOU AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS TO ME.  WHILE THIS EXPLANATION IS HUMOROUS, IT
ISNT TOO FAR OFF BASE.  A DISASTER TYPICALLY HAS SEVERAL KEY COMPONENTS A
LARGE AREA OF IMPACT, A LONG DURATION OF RESPONSE AND RECOVERY, AND THE
COMPROMISE OR FAILURE OF NORMAL SYSTEMS DURING THAT RECOVERY PERIOD.  AN
EMERGENCY IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE AND/OR PROPERTY.  AMATEURS HAVE
PLAYED A ROLE IN BOTH DISASTER AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.  HURRICANES,
TORNADOES, FLOODS, AND LANDSLIDES OF THE PAST CENTURY HAVE ALL HAD A
RESPONSE COMPONENT THAT INCLUDED AMATEUR RADIO.  THESE ARE DISASTERS,
THOUGH NOT EMERGENCIES.  AND OUR ROLE IS TO BE COMMUNICATORS DURING TIMES
OF DISASTER.  AS FOR EMERGENCIES, AMATEURS HAVE ASSISTED IN PROVIDING
COMMUNICATIONS WHEN THEY COME ACROSS A HOUSE ON FIRE, A BOATER IN DISTRESS,
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