BREAKING NEWS! FCC Amends Part 97 regarding employee participation in emeregency drills

The FCC has just announced that it is changing the Part 97 rules to
allow unlimited paid employee participation in government sponsored
drills and exercises, and will also allow limited paid employee
participation in non-government exercises and drills.  This is truly a
great breakthrough for EmComm.
Here is the actual NPRM http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0714/FCC-10-124A1.pdf

American Hospital Association requests permanent waiver of 97.113 to allow hospital employees to participate in drills

The American Hospital Association has asked the FCC for a permanent waiver of 97.113 specifically to allow hospital employees who are Licensed Amateur Radio Operators to participate in emergency communications drills over Amateur Radio. 

In response to this request the Federal Communications Commission has opened a comment period asking concerned parties to submit their comments and opinions on this subject.  All Amateur Radio Operators are encouraged to review the public notice and submit your thoughts on this subject to the FCC.

The public notice is located at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-365A1.pdf