Emergency Services
Growing from its World War II experience, the Civil Air Patrol continues to save lives and alleviate human suffering by conducting a variety of operational missions in the area of Emergency Services including Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief, Counterdrug, and Homeland Security. Most of this is done in CAP’s role as the United States Air Force Auxiliary as Defense Support to Civil Authorities, but CAP also provides assistance to State and Local authorities in many cases before there is a defined Federal interest. In order to conduct these missions, there are many programs for both cadets and adult members that provide training and qualification to perform these services. The use of qualified CAP cadets is encouraged as much as possible on appropriate missions. Cadets are trained in the various functions of mission operations and support as permitted. Cadets qualify no differently than adult members in emergency services qualifications.
Emergency Services is one of the three missions identified in the Civil Air Patrol charter. The program includes Search and Rescue (SAR), Disaster Relief and Homeland security.
Search and Rescue
CAP conducts about 90% of the SAR missions identified by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. These missions include searching for missing aircraft, locating Emergency Beacons, missing person search, and locating boaters in distress. CAP performs these searches by air and ground. Air crews are comprised of a Mission Pilot, Mission Observer and Mission Scanner or Airborne Photographer. Ground teams are the hands-on personnel in location of a potential target. They are equipped with communication radios and are qualified to locate Emergency Beacons using Direction Finding Equipment.
Humanitarian Services
In coordination with humanitarian relief agencies, including the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), CAP plays a vital roll in disaster relief. CAP provides airborne photography for damage assessment, flying and reporting possible evacuation routes, and relocation of medical/relief supplies and personnel.
Disaster Relief
Also, in support of relief efforts the Civil Air Patrol is trained to setup and operate Points of Distribution (POD). POD provides an organized method of distributing life-saving commodities such as food, water, and necessary items to the public following a disaster.
Air Force Support
Civil Air Patrol performs several missions in direct support of the U.S. Air Force. Specifically, CAP conducts light transport, communications support, and low-altitude route surveys. CAP also provides orientation flights for AFROTC cadets. Joint U.S. Air Force and CAP search-and-rescue exercises provide realistic training for missions.
Counterdrug
In 1986, pursuant to congressional authorization, the Civil Air Patrol joined the “war on drugs”. In support of Homeland Security and in agreement with the US Air force and US Customs and Border Protection, CAP resources are used to stem the flow of drugs into and within the United States.
The goal of Emergency Services is to train our members to save lives and be a productive part of our community’s emergency response system.
