Other Radio Services

There has been some discussion in my local Amateur Radio community about what qualifies as "public service." A lot of the debate concerns a phrase in the FCC rules governing Amateur Radio. It states that amateur radio should not be used for

(5) Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be
furnished alternatively through other radio services.

I just wanted to tell a story about when communications could not be furnished by any other means.

We were supporting the annual ("on a regular basis"?) Multiple-Sclerosis Society's MS 150. The rest-stop where lunch was served was up a canyon (Blacksmith Fork Canyon). One of the riders was run over by a small trailer being towed up the canyon by a pickup truck.

There were EMTs at the rest stop who were able to see to him, but he required a trip to the hospital. Cell phones weren't working in the canyon. A sheriff's depute wasn't able to reach his dispatcher. Only my ham radio could make it out of the canyon.

Scary - yet inspiring.