CAREDN is an organization dedicated to fostering the exploration, education, and implementation of a regional emergency data network on amateur microwave bands in the Chicagoland area. This emergency data network is hardened against natural disasters, power loss, internet outages, and other sources of failure on traditional networking infrastructure. This enables resilience when traditional communication methods fail, ensuring the CAREDN is available to its served agencies around the clock, and when it is needed most. CAREDN is an unincorporated group of Chicagoland based individuals interested in growing emergency communications infrastructure, and microwave based amateur radio communications. As this group and initiative grows, the intention is for CAREDN to gain not-for-profit status and become an independent organization.