I say, bring back Civil Defense ... or better yet (and maybe easier to sell post-Katrina): a national emergency response corps*.

Mirror the National Guard in all respects but four: no weapons, no uniforms, no age limits and no foreign service. Be exactly like the Guard in: training offered (other than with weapons), pay and benefits at the same skill levels as in the Guard, employment protection while called up, their state's governor as their CinC ... oh, and volunteer service, of course. I oppose mandatory service, too.

Initially fill it with people who already have the experience: clerks, heavy equipment operators, computer geeks, accountants, engineers, contractors, teachers... and the entire list of medical skills. Recently demob'ed Guardsmen and -women welcomed with open arms. Make it an option for deactivated regular military to choose, instead of the Reserves.

Model the initial regional recruiting goals around a city the size of, oh... New Orleans (around 100K, i.i.r.c.) and the event of the same magnitude as, hmmm... how about Katrina? Or Andrew? Or a Mag 7 on the San Andreas?

I wonder how many people, after seeing last fall how poorly things were done, might be willing to exchange their availability at very short notice for a stipend, free training, and a chance to aid their fellow countrymen.

[* - No capitals, on purpose. I'm sure someone will come up with a sexier acronym than NERC.]