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Safety Training: Civil Air Patrol Cadets Prepare for Real World Emergencies

August 6, 2012

Students watch firetruck spray water on plane

Photo by Obie Young

Nearly two dozen Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets from Kathleen High School’s Central Florida Aerospace Academy gathered at Lakeland Regional Airport last month for CAP’s monthly safety training. CAP senior members, parents and other guests accompanied the students.

The Civil Air Patrol, is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The non-profit is tasked with three primary missions: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Its more than 61,000 members nationwide take the lead when it comes to aerospace education. Volunteers serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. According to school officials at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, its CAP auxiliary is the largest in the Sunshine State.

Some highlights of the safety training included:

  • Demonstrations by the Lakeland Fire Department during a mock incident response. Students watched as crews demonstrated the use of their Crash & Rescue Fire Truck on a non-flyable Boeing 737. Fire Lieutenant Blake Monroe spoke about the role of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit in the event of an actual commercial airliner incident full of passengers.
    90 percent of calls received by the unit are for medical emergencies.
  • An opportunity for cadets to see the equipment stored on ARFF vehicles first-hand, such as the Jaws-of-Life hydraulically powered extrication tool and silver proximity gear worn during a rescue.
  • A visit from Tailwheels Flight School representatives. They brought along one of their newest Cessna 172 aircrafts and a recently restored 1940 Stearman Biplane.

The day’s activities were coordinated by CFAA’s Instructor & CAP Vice-Commander George Bartuska, CAP Commander and Squadron Captain Lori Bradner, Fire Lieutenant Blake Monroe and other fire department personnel.

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