I am writing in response to RM-11831 changes to the Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules. 
I am a member of our county EMCOMM team and trained in both ICS, and AUXCOMM operations.
My team practices weekly to maintain proficiency in communications operations,
regularly with digital transmissions. We rely on digital modes via HF to report to our 
state EOC, and DHSEM. If the proposed changes are put into place it may well affect the 
lives of untold numbers of people in the county relying upon us to report our status
and request additional resources necessary for the protection of life and property and
the restoration of normal activities. Winlink, MT63, Olivia and packet are used to 
communicate throughout the state during normal day to day activities and in particular 
during emergency operations. If these modes are relegated to a much smaller portion of 
the bands, and in competition with other transmissions for bandwidth to complete 
transmission, failure may well cause loss of life or irreparable damage to 
infrastructure.
I urge the Commission to reconsider the suggested changes from the ARRL, the current 
bandplan is functional and operational for the majority of Amateur operators, 
providing they adhere to published and accepted frequency and band guidelines. 
It is my opinion that the suggested changes will damage emergency communications,
and normal operations to a point that may not be reversible. I am proud of my 
involvement in EMCOMM/AUXCOMM and would be highly disappointed if I could not offer my 
assurances to the community that all was being done to rectify a disaster.
I Thank You for your consideration in this matter, and pray that you recognize the 
potential loss of security for the American citizenry possible from this action.
AL MASSARO
KF5SMH