Interested in search and rescue? Emergency services (ES) is a big part of CAP, and it's not just bushwhacking. You can do anything, from searching the woods for a downed aircraft to running the radios at a mission base. ES is an extremely rewarding activity that will help you get the most out of CAP.
It's easy to get started. First, take the general emergency services exam (see below). It is your license to learn. Afterwards, you can select a specialty track, of which you have 4 options.
Specialty Track: Ground Team
Ground Team Member 3 (GTM3) is the basic level of a ground team member, which goes up to level 1. The function of a ground team is primarily to conduct searches in wooded areas normally not easily accessible by vehicle or aircraft. They are expected to be able to take care of themselves and help their fellow team members in the field for up to 24 hours. At level 3, you carry a 24 - hour pack that contains various items to support you for 24 hours. You will have the opportunity to train up to GTM1 (certified to work in the field for up to 72 hours) if you choose this track, which is essentially an assistant team leader.
Urban direction finding (UDF) is somewhat similar to a ground team. Ground team members will normally function in the role of UDF teams if one is not already present. UDF teams search more urban areas such as airfields or even towns and cities in search of emergency beacons. Their pack is much less extensive than that of a ground team member, as they are working in an urban environment where many needs are generally more accessible. In the case of our group - level ES operations, ground team members and UDF teams are essentially equal. There is no direct training to follow this, though it is normally a stepping stone into GTM3.
Specialty Track: Mission Base Assistant
Mission radio operator (MRO) normally operates radio stations, whether it be a mobile base or at mission base. They will normally maintain contact between both ground team and aircraft, and relay information to and from mission base. In our group, MROs will almost always operate from the radio shack at mission HQ, where they have access to two radios capable of contacting ground teams or aircrew. Generally, no equipment is necessary to function in this capacity. Once you receive this qualification, you can train to become a communications unit leader, where you oversee communications across the entire mission, and consists of writing emergency plans and supervising MROs.
Mission staff assistant (MSA) will work within mission base and normally, closely with the radio operator. You will provide status updates on ground teams or aircrew, and also sign members in and out of the mission. No equipment is necessary to function in this capacity. In our group operations, MSAs also tend to receive training on the radios and will operate them in the absence of an MRO, if deemed sufficiently qualified to do so. No training directly follows this qualification, though many cadets choose this qualification as their first ES track, since it is fairly simple to complete and eases you into more advanced ES qualifications.
Emergency Services Resources:
General Emergency Services Exam (CAPT116): https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.eServices.Web/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCAP.LMS.Web%2fDefault.aspx
Incident Command System IS-100: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
Incident Command System IS-700: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
Ground Team Task Guide: http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Ground_Team__UDF_Task_Guide__24_May_CD5DA29E1340B.pdf
Mission Base Task Guide: http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Mission_Base_Staff_Task_Guide_D05D81F929EB2.pdf
It's easy to get started. First, take the general emergency services exam (see below). It is your license to learn. Afterwards, you can select a specialty track, of which you have 4 options.
Specialty Track: Ground Team
Ground Team Member 3 (GTM3) is the basic level of a ground team member, which goes up to level 1. The function of a ground team is primarily to conduct searches in wooded areas normally not easily accessible by vehicle or aircraft. They are expected to be able to take care of themselves and help their fellow team members in the field for up to 24 hours. At level 3, you carry a 24 - hour pack that contains various items to support you for 24 hours. You will have the opportunity to train up to GTM1 (certified to work in the field for up to 72 hours) if you choose this track, which is essentially an assistant team leader.
Urban direction finding (UDF) is somewhat similar to a ground team. Ground team members will normally function in the role of UDF teams if one is not already present. UDF teams search more urban areas such as airfields or even towns and cities in search of emergency beacons. Their pack is much less extensive than that of a ground team member, as they are working in an urban environment where many needs are generally more accessible. In the case of our group - level ES operations, ground team members and UDF teams are essentially equal. There is no direct training to follow this, though it is normally a stepping stone into GTM3.
Specialty Track: Mission Base Assistant
Mission radio operator (MRO) normally operates radio stations, whether it be a mobile base or at mission base. They will normally maintain contact between both ground team and aircraft, and relay information to and from mission base. In our group, MROs will almost always operate from the radio shack at mission HQ, where they have access to two radios capable of contacting ground teams or aircrew. Generally, no equipment is necessary to function in this capacity. Once you receive this qualification, you can train to become a communications unit leader, where you oversee communications across the entire mission, and consists of writing emergency plans and supervising MROs.
Mission staff assistant (MSA) will work within mission base and normally, closely with the radio operator. You will provide status updates on ground teams or aircrew, and also sign members in and out of the mission. No equipment is necessary to function in this capacity. In our group operations, MSAs also tend to receive training on the radios and will operate them in the absence of an MRO, if deemed sufficiently qualified to do so. No training directly follows this qualification, though many cadets choose this qualification as their first ES track, since it is fairly simple to complete and eases you into more advanced ES qualifications.
Emergency Services Resources:
General Emergency Services Exam (CAPT116): https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.eServices.Web/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCAP.LMS.Web%2fDefault.aspx
Incident Command System IS-100: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
Incident Command System IS-700: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
Ground Team Task Guide: http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Ground_Team__UDF_Task_Guide__24_May_CD5DA29E1340B.pdf
Mission Base Task Guide: http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Mission_Base_Staff_Task_Guide_D05D81F929EB2.pdf