Emergency Services
Members of the Scott Composite Squadron conduct emergency services training in order to provide search and rescue and disaster relief support to local, state, and national customers.
We have personnel qualified to conduct an electronic ground search for aircraft or personnel beacons.
With an aircraft located at St. Louis Regional airport, our squadron pilots are able to offer light transport and airborne radio relay to qualified agencies.
Getting Started in Emergency Services
The minimum requirement is a uniform (ABU or corporate working uniform) and General Emergency Services (GES). The GES qualification has two parts. First, take CAP Test 116 in eServices then earn your Curry award if a cadet or complete Level 1 if a senior member. See the "How to Complete GES" document at the side of your screen for step-by-step instructions on completing the CAP Test 116.
There are a couple of tracks you can take that focus on ground search, mission base, flight line, or aircrew.
Ground Search
Urban Direction Finding (UDF) involves searching for aircraft beacons, usually on airfields. Ground Team Member (GTM) includes UDF skills and adds missing person search and woodsmanship skills. These tracks require you to acquire and maintain equipment (mostly camping-type gear). We have some items in the squadron supply room. Read Chapter 2 of the Ground Team Member & Leader Reference Text and the Ground and Urban Direction Finding Team Member task guide.
Here are the items trainees need to have with them:
-Complete ABU/BDU/Corporate Working Uniform with cap. The cap may be replaced by a hard hat or bright-colored cap based on mission needs.
-Notepad and pencil
-All CAP Identification, including 101 card, First Aid card, etc.
-Watch
-Pocket or utility-type knife, multipurpose with can opener. Swiss Army knives, Leatherman, or Gerber Tools are recommended.
-Day pack (preferably red or orange), webbed gear, or other SAR/Survival Vest
-First aid kit with any personal medication
-12 wooden, waterproofed matches
-1 Chemical Light Stick, Green
-Change of socks
-Flashlight (we have boxes of D-cell flashlights at the squadron if you want one of those) and spare batteries
-Toilet paper in a waterproof bag
-Leather work gloves
-cell phone if you have one
-2 meals (don't count on having a fire to cook over)
-Coat appropriate for the weather
-Rain gear (sturdy poncho, Gortex jacket, etc.)
-2 quarts of water
These two tracks require that you also take CAPT 117 part 1 in eServices, Learning Management System, Go To AXIS, select Course Catalog then Emergency from the dropdown menu.
You can find ES training PowerPoint presentations on the National Emergency Services Academy (NESA) Ground Search and Rescue School website.
Mission Base
Mission Staff Assistant (MSA). MSAs are important members of the mission base team. They assist upper-level staff with data entry, note-taking, answering radios, escorting visitors, and checking in people, vehicles, and aircraft. This is an entry-level qualification that only has six tasks to accomplish. This track requires CAPT 117 part 3. The only gear you might need for this track is a water bottle, snacks, and your own laptop if you want.
Those who have already completed Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT) are eligible to start training as a Mission Radio Operator (MRO). MROs run the radios at the mission base or in the field. You don't need any special equipment of your own. This track requires CAPT 117 part 3. You can find the ICUT training in eServices, Learning Management System, Go To AXIS, select Course Catalog then Communications. Complete your online training followed by hands-on training and evaluation with the squadron Communications Officer. See the "How to Complete ICUT" document at the side of your screen for step-by-step instructions on completing the ICUT course.
You can find the tasks for these tracks in the Mission Base Task Guide.
Flight Line
Flight Line Marshaller (FLM). This track involves working on the flight line to help aircraft fuel, start, taxi, and park. You will need to dress appropriately for the forecast weather. You'll need an orange vest, water, and snacks as desired for this track. You'll also need to take CAPT 117 part 2 and Aircraft Ground Handling training in eServices, Learning Management System, Go To AXIS, select Course Catalog then Cadet from the dropdown menu.
Additional Training
All these tracks require ICUT, Basic First Aid, IS-100, and IS-700. These last two are Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) courses you can take online at https://training.fema.gov/
Aircrew
The entry-level aircrew position is Mission Scanner (MS). Trainees must have completed GES and be 18 years or older (except for sUAS). This track requires CAPT 117 part 2, IS-100 and IS-700. You will need an aviation headset for this track. You can find the Aircrew and Flightline task guide and other aircrew training materials on the National Emergency Services Academy Mission Aircrew School website. Once qualified, you'll be authorized to wear the flight suit.
Pilot members should review the pilot onboarding information at gocivilairpatrol.com for the requirements and process to become a Civil Air Patrol pilot. After a CAP check ride, the entry-level position is Transport Mission Pilot (TMP). TMPs require 50 hours of cross-country time and a minimum of 100 hours pilot in command time. This track requires the Aircraft Ground Handling training mentioned in the flight line section above along with IS-100 and IS-700. If any pilot wants to get a ramp pass for St.Louis Regional Airport (ALN) they'll need to get added to the aircraft pilots list, carry enough insurance per the attached guide, and pay a $25 per year fee for the pass.
There are also two positions in Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations, the sUAS Technician (no age requirement) and the sUAS Mission Pilot (MP). To become an sUAS MP, a trainee must have an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, an sUAS check ride, and four hours of pilot in command (PIC) time to begin sUAS MP training at be at least 16 years old. You can find sUAS training materials on the CAP sUAS Operations page.
You can find more information and links to all the required training materials on the CAP National Headquarters Emergency Services Training page at https://www.
As you progress in your Emergency Services training you'll need to upload supporting documents and submit your training for approval. See the attached Ops Quals for Beginners guide. You can also use the attached CAPF 114 ES Qualification Record to keep track of your training and real-world ES missions. This is an extended version of the CAPF 114 with extra pages to track years' worth of missions.
Emergency Services Awards
Emergency Services awards are outlined in CAPR 35-5 and 39-3.
Once you complete GES and complete one other ES qualification you earn the ES Patch. This patch comes in two styles, the Search Dog or vintage T-34B Mentor search aircraft version as seen on the right side of your screen.
Complete 10 homeland security sorties in any role to earn the Homeland Security Ribbon.
Participate in five disaster relief missions and take two disaster relief training courses to earn the Disaster Relief Ribbon or participate in a Presidentially declared disaster to earn the Disaster Relief Ribbon with silver V device.
Complete 10 search and rescue sorties to earn the Air Search and Rescue Ribbon. Wear a bronze propeller device if you conducted 10 aircrew sorties.
Make a "Find" during a search mission and earn the Search "Find" Ribbon. Wear a bronze propeller device if making the find as an aircrew member.
