Cape Fire Department Gives Talk On Drones To CAP

Master Firefighter Dewayne McAlister shows CAP members some of the features of the drones used by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Cape Girardeau, MO – Thursday, April 20, 2017, two firefighters from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department did a presentation on the Fire Departments usage of drones in Search and Rescue to the Trail of Tears Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). The presentation was held during the Squadron’s regular drill night at the Missouri Army National Guard Armory in Cape by Master Firefighter Dewayne McAlister and Firefighter Jason Poole. They brought three different styles of drones used by the Cape Fire Department and explained how they were used in recent search and rescue events in the Cape and Scott City areas and over in Iron County. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department has recently put together a team that will do training in the use of the drones for search and rescue operations along with other operations.

The firefighters gave an almost two hour presentation on how the drones worked and what they were used for, along with different features of the drones and different cameras and other tools that can be used on them. Air speed, flight time, handling, and payload capacity were among some of the points that were discussed along with safety in the handling of the drones and where it was allowed to fly and hazards that can be encountered while using drones.

A major point of the presentation was directed towards the Squadron’s Cadets, advising them on the growth of the use of drones by Police, Fire, and other First Responders and the military and how that all tied into one of the CAPs training areas in Search and Rescue and Emergency Services. They also talked about the future of the usages of drones and career paths in the design and working with drones which is growing and how in the Cadets lifetimes the usage of drones will become commonplace. Master Firefighter McAlister also stressed how working with robotics could help in familiarizing the Cadets with how drones worked. The CAP has programs for Cadets on robotics, remote control airplanes, and model rocketry so that is a great way to introduce the younger generation on what to look forward to on future technology.

The eighteen members of the Trail of Tears Composite Squadron in attendance were very engaged in the presentation with a lot of questions and back and forth discussion with the firefighters. The major point of discussion was how the Civil Air Patrol could help the area’s emergency agencies in training and actual missions involving search and rescue and emergency services like disaster relief. The pricing of drones and the feasibility of the CAP to use drones on missions was also discussed.

Master Firefighter Dewayne McAlister and Firefighter Jason Poole discuss the different types of drones utilized by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Founded just before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Civil Air Patrol, called “CAP”, is the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP is entrusted with three missions for America; Conducting Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and the Cadet Program, which is a leadership program for 12 to 18 year old youth. Senior Members of the CAP range from age 21 and up.

CAP Cadets study leadership, military customs and courtesies, air and space subjects, disaster relief and emergency services skills, and have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of related activities and field trips, including hands on experience with model rocketry, flight simulators, remote control model aircraft, astronomy and robotics.

All CAP volunteer members are eligible to participate in training and actual missions for search and rescue, emergency communications and disaster relief. Qualified CAP Senior Members can also train for various flying positions including air crew and aerial photography.

The Trail of Tears Composite Squadron meets at the Missouri Army National Guard Armory on Thursday nights from 6-8 p.m. in Cape Girardeau and serves all of Southeast Missouri. For more information visit the Civil Air Patrol national website at GoCivilAirPatrol.com, or call 573.270.7974 for information about the Cape Girardeau Squadron. They can also be found on Facebook.

Members of the Trail of Tears Composite Squadron engage the firefighters with questions regarding the use of drones in Search and Rescue operations.