Suffolk Cadet Squadron VII

Emergency Services consists of Search And Rescue (SAR), patrolling, damage assessment and disaster services.

A SAR mission is activated whenever an alert is received that an Emergency Locater Transmitter (ELT) signal has been detected in our area or a plane which took off from an airport in our area is overdue at the airport of intended landing.  In either case, an air search is launched using a Cessna 172 or 182 aircraft, with a mission pilot, observer and scanner [all senior members].  On an ELT search, they use a Direction Finding (DF) radio in the aircraft to home in on the signal. When they have narrowed the search as much as possible, a ground team is called in to locate the ELT.

If there has been no ELT activation, the search starts between the airfield where the aircraft launched and its intended place of landing.  If not found there, the search area is expanded using radar tracks and all available sources of information.

CAP air and ground teams also are tasked by FEMA and other Emergency Services organizations to patrol specific areas of interest [Flight 800]and to fly damage assessment missions (Gloria).

In local emergencies, authorities call upon CAP for disaster services. In the  L.I. Pine Barrens fire, our aircraft helped the fire fighters by scanning for flareups [fire restarts in areas extinguished] and ground teams did security duty at the evacuation centers.

           In order to meet the requirements of Emergency Services, senior and cadet members are trained in many skills required in search and rescue.  Some of these are map reading and navigation, first aid and safety.  Practice missions called Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) are periodically scheduled to keep trained personnel sharp.

Click on the link for more information on this subject.

Homeland Security Advisory

Emergency Services training takes place on the National website EServices, at squadron classes and LI Group training sessions.

Suffolk Cadet Squadron VII ES Training Class

In addition to actual missions, Long Island Group (LIG) and New York Wing (NYW) stage search and rescue exercises (SAREX) for training and sharpening the skills of the senior and cadet members.

See "Calendar" for future SAREX training dates.

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