Fri, May 11, 2007
Kansas Wing Surveys Damage, Calls In Emergency Requests
In the wake of tornadoes that tore apart one Kansas town May 4,
and touched down in dozens of other parts of the state, the Kansas
Wing of the Civil Air Patrol flew damage assessment missions using
CAP's advanced satellite-transmitted digital imaging system
technology, launched aircraft to search for distressed motorists
and residents and supported communication needs across several
counties, volunteering more than 300 hours to the disaster relief
effort.
At the request of the Kansas Department of Emergency Management,
CAP aircrews in four Cessna aircraft flew along tornado paths for
20 hours to report areas of severe damage to CAP's ground search
and rescue teams, to send digital photos of damage to the state's
Emergency Operations Center and to call in requests for emergency
medical assistance.
CAP ground teams also served an additional 40 hours. Maj. Dennis
Pearson, incident commander at Kansas Wing Headquarters, said four
ground teams were deployed in CAP vans to assist with regional
communications.
In addition, members volunteered more than 240 hours at
wing headquarters, manning radios to coordinate communications
among air, ground and command staff as well as other agencies, such
as the Kansas Air National Guard. Members there also worked on
flight lines, directing and parking aircraft.
More than 45 wing members took part in the combined effort,
which was applauded by Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Pineda, CAP national
commander.
"The work our volunteers performed in Kansas exemplifies the
dedication and love of country of CAP members across America who
help their communities in times of peace but especially during
crises," Pineda said. "It also highlights the capabilities of CAP
to use advanced technology like satellite-transmitted digital
imaging to take airborne photography of damaged areas and
immediately send these via e-mail to emergency managers."
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