Depends on the emergency.
I have both HAM/GMRS
I put up a GMRS repeater, got about 10 mile circle at the moment.
Needs a taller mast. But to the west or ridges 40 to 50 miles is possible.
Its for SHTF scenario for family comms.
Now HAM side is great for storm tracking, and more national, or local say tornados.
Our local club sends out storm chasers monitoring the twisters etc.
One came very close to a buddies house, I was able to get information on his place from a spotter. Even local Sheriff uses HAM Repeaters in emergency situations.
GMRS just doesn't have the following/infrastructure in most areas that HAM has.
Then you get into the limitations of UHF, like Foliage, especially pine trees. They will stop your signal DEAD.
Where VHF works much better. If I could do it legally, I'd much rather have a MURS Repeater, that VHF nature gets out better over the ridges, and through the foliage, just like 2 meter, or even if there was a GMRS 6 meter band. That would be sweet.
