Technology in Search and Rescue Efforts

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Technology in Search and Rescue Efforts
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General Overview

• What is Civil Air Patrol?
• Emergency Services
• Technology Used/Being Implemented
• Video Scan Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Search Theory applied to SAR
• Conclusions

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What is Civil Air Patrol

• Official Auxiliary of the US Air Force
• Made up of Civilian Volunteers
• Created Dec. 1, 1941
• Performed SAR, Coastal Patrols, and other
  functions for War Department
• July 1, 1946, President Truman incorporated CAP
  as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.

• Personal Background Information
• Member since 1992
• Currently 1Lt. With GTM Rating, and about 100
  hours of SAR training/actual missions

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CAP Organization
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CAP Resources

• Aviation Assets
• Ground Assets
• Communications
• Supplies Equipment

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CAP Missions

• Aerospace Education
• Cadet Programs
• Emergency Services
• Reconnaissance
• Counter drug
• Transportation
• DR
• SAR

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Commonly Used Technology in Civil Air Patrol

• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory

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The Usual Stuff

• Databases for Paperwork
• GPS/Map Programs
• Communications
• Cell Phones
• Internet for Media Coverage
• Laptop/PDAs to transmit data to teams

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Commonly Used Technology in Civil Air Patrol

• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory

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Video Scanning Equipment

• Best use is in Disaster Relief
• Floods, Train Wreck, Hurricanes
• Plattsburgh Ice Storm
• Issues and Obstacles
• Weather Conditions
• Altitude
• Transmission Protocols
• Matching up Pictures

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Connecticut Wing Evaluation 2001Housatonic River
Photos
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Connecticut Wing Evaluation 2001Connecticut
River Photos
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Commonly Used Technology in Civil Air Patrol

• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory

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Emergency Location Transmitters

• Emergency Location Transmitters
• History
• False Positives
• Mirror Images/Tracking Issues

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Emergency Location Transmitters

• Emergency Location Transmitters
• History
• False Positives
• Mirror Images/Tracking Issues

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Possible Independent Tests for ELT Hits

• Target moving
• Reported Crash
• Flight Plan
• Reported Overdue
• Distance Math
• Lat/Long.

• Person Hiking
• Heavily Wooded Area
• Not required for Private Aircraft
• No Family/Friends
• Picking up Reflections
• 15-20 km accuracy

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121.5 MHz. vs. 406 MHz.Transmitters

• 121.5 MHz ELT
• Currently 1/3 World
• Analog Signal
• Need Additional Info
• 15-20 km off
• 700 sq km
• .1 Watt
• 200 - 1500

• 406 MHz ELT
• Global Coverage
• Digital Signal
• 1st alert capable
• 2-5 km off
• 12.5 sq km (GPS)
• 5 watt
• 750 - 3500

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Commonly Used Technology in Civil Air Patrol

• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory

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Search Theory Applied to SAR

• Terms
• POD (Probability of Detection)
• POA (Probability of Area)
• POS (Probability of Success)
• ROW (Rest of World)

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Statistics of Behavior
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(No Transcript)
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CASIE

• Computer Aided Search Information Exchange
• Simplifies Search Theory Calculations
• Adds other functions
• Resource Optimization
• Influence of Clues
• Simple DOS Shell Program

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Conclusions
Technology is a very helpful aspect to Search and
Rescue, but one must remember that at all times
it is a tool to be used, not a crutch to depend on
Thanks to 1LT Mike Pienkosz, CTWG PAO CAPT
James Blessing, 103rd CC MAJ Len Schindler, CTWG
PAP http//www.math.arizona.edu/dsl/casie/casie.
htm http//www.ctwg.cap.gov/ http//www.capnhq.g
ov/
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Technology in Search and Rescue Efforts
Michael Schenk 1LT. SCCS, CTWG, CAP