Some of the early VX-1's transmit out of band because of a Yaesu oversight. Mine will. VX-2's won't. Most ham talkies can be easily modified, with the blessings of the manufacturer, for 1st responders wishing to use the public service bands.
HF has made contact for me 100% of the time, 20 meters, on penlight batteries and a chunk of wire in the trees. There are some very light weight QRP (low power) radios out there now. I primarily use Morse code, which always gets through. Easy to learn. There is no code requirement (sadly!) for ham licenses. $15 and a 35 question test will get you a Technician license for use with VHF/UHF radios. HF will require another 35 question test.
A standard....and very tiny...ham walkie talkie will give you communications on at east two frequency bands, AM/FM/Weather, Shortwave, in a neat little package the size of a cell phone.

As far as spare stuff goes....nope. Pointless if you've worked to achieve 'double duty' in your equipment.