5/31/2016–Louisburg, NC–The Franklin County Composite Squadron was asked by the Franklin County Emergency Management to participate in their Emergency Services Open House for county residents on Saturday, May 21 at the Triangle North Executive Airport. The squadron was excited to have the opportunity to show what we do to the community with all the other emergency response agencies in the county.
This is the third year that the Franklin County Emergency Management held the open house. They learned the squadron was hosted at the airport during their open house last year. The Wing held glider operations activity the same day as their open house. Missy Johnson, Chief Compliance Officer and Coordinator of the Open House, stated that they were thrilled we were able to attend this year.
The squadron members set up a display booth that included pictures from several different activities over the past year, ground team equipment that we use during search and rescue missions including our stretchers and the 75th anniversary posters showing the history of Civil Air Patrol. The squadron also had their van and airplane on display next to the booth. Several pilots from the squadron answered questions about the capabilities of the airplane.
Emergency Services members from every department and organization in Franklin County were represented. This included all police, fire, ambulance, emergency management and Civil Air Patrol. The Cadets had fun checking out all the different trucks and equipment. Some of the Cadets even got to try out some of the gear the other emergency personnel wear.
One group that was there, Youngsville Rescue Underwater Search and Recovery Team, was excited to see Civil Air Patrol there. They asked questions about our capabilities, especially aviation capabilities, and how they could get CAP to work with them. They were told the proper channels on how to request CAP assistance during real emergencies and practice exercises.
Franklin County Composite Squadron’s participation in the activity demonstrated the capabilities, resources and inter-agency cooperation of Civil Air Patrol. Intending to showcase CAP resulted in building relations with other agencies.