Charlotte County Board Approves Purchase Following Hurricane

Aero-News has learned the Charlotte County (FL) Board of County Commissioners recently approved a proposal by the Civil Air Patrol Charlotte County Composite Squadron, to finance the purchase of a Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS) for installation in the Charlotte County Composite Squadron's aircraft.

Civil Air Patrol Cpt. Terrance P. Power tells ANN the devastation the Florida region experienced during Hurricane Charley several years ago underscored the need for a reliable system to assist in damage assessment and resource allocation for local Emergency Operation members. The local County Commissioners recognized this need in approving the allocation of funds to install a state-of-the-art system into the CAP aircraft.

(An actual SIDS image of hurricane roof damage at an Orlando hotel in the aftermath of the Hurricane Charley is shown above -- Ed.)

The year-long effort to secure funding of the system was coordinated by Charlotte County Composite Squadron members 2nd Lt. Bo Hamrick, 1st Lt. Earle Bretz, and Lt. Col. Edmund H. Smith, Jr., and was the result of a dedicated and well thought-out strategy on their part to highlight the benefits that a SDIS-equipped aircraft could provide the local community. Their efforts to secure funding for the program will serve as a blueprint for future requests from other communities who also see the benefit of having SDIS-equipped aircraft at their disposal for Search and Rescue operations.

Captain Power says the newly deployed system will be of great benefit to communities located across entire Florida Wing, and should be fully operational within a few weeks as aircrews begin their training in preparation for the upcoming Hurricane season.

FMI: www.cap.gov