Now, if it's created: Who's going to enforce this 'special' channel? Not the FCC, they are trying desperately to DE-regulate GMRS so they can wash their hands of it. Why would a 'special' channel be needed? Designate one of the current ones, if you like.
I guess the 'special' channel could be half-duplex only, citizens transmit on 467.xxx.......gov't transmits on 462.xxx...with no repeaters allowed....and transmitter disabled unless a valid GPS position can be sent.
(This is assuming a 467 channel is also in the rumor)
I don't see any local government agencies spending the money to set up base stations for this channel.
Therefore, I don't see this useful for reporting incidents relating to national security
On the other hand, temporary equipment brought in for disasters, such as Katrina could be set up
to listen for calls for help, when other means of communication are down.
As you said.......it would be easier to just designate an existing channel.......like channel 9 on the CB band was years ago.....Even then, when CB was as common as a cell phone is today, law enforcement lost interest in monitoring, and equipment was never replaced after the initial roll out.
I can 'propose' to the FCC that the whole 450-470 band should be turned into a mega-GMRS. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.
At one time that WAS the Citizen's Class A Band.