Civil Air Patrol's
Emergency Service role can be split into five distinct areas, each of which
members train and prepare for.
Search and Rescue (SAR)
CAP SAR missions are coordinated through the Air Force Rescue Coordination
Center (AFRCC). CAP flies 86% of the air search in the continental United
States and in many states CAP is also involved in both ground search and
rescue operations. In 1995 CAP volunteers flew more than 2,200 missions,
logging in 12,519 flying hours. During these missions, CAP members were
credited with saving 108 lives.
Disaster Relief
CAP supports disaster relief efforts around the United States with manpower,
communications, material transport, damage assessment, and personnel
transport. CAP units ahve assisted in disasters such as the Mississippi
Flood of 1993, Hurricane Andrew, and recently in our area the Ice Storm of
1998.
Counter Narcotics
CAP provides aircraft patrol/reconnaissance and communications support to
drug enforcement police agencies around the country. In 1995, volunteers
flew 5,289 missions, logging in 31,715 flying hours in support of the U.S.
Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Forest Service, and
Department of Defense as as other federal, state, and local agencies. The
assistance of CAP volunteers in counterdrug interdiction resulted in the
confiscation of assets estimated in excess of $3 billion.
Humanitarian Services
CAP, in close coordination with the American Red Cross, provides ground and
air transport of blood, tissue or organs, personnel transport, and
communications. Over the past 12 years, CAP's organ transplant program has
helped 4,595 people and saved 286 lives - 44 in 1995.
Civil Defense
CAP supports civil defense agencies with communications, radiological
monitoring and decontamination, damage assessment, and airlift.
