More than boats and planes to Civil Air Patrol
By Maj Brian S. Cramer, CAP and
Capt Daniel J. Wynard, CAP
On Saturday, August 15, a contingent of Civil Air Patrol volunteers joined the over two-million people on Chicago’s lake front for the Chicago Air & Water Show. Selling official programs at the show is a major fund raising activity for CAP units in the greater Chicago area, but this year, CAP members’ emergency services training came into play.
Twenty-six members of CAP squadrons representing Romeoville, Frankfort, and Bolingbrook, in addition to their program selling activities, found themselves responding to two medical emergencies and a missing person search.
Cadets assigned to work near the show’s main entrance noticed a man at a drinking fountain who appeared to be having problems. As they approached, the man asked for help. He told them that he had a history of allergic reactions to bee stings and had just been stung on the neck. Cadet Jack Wood immediately communicated the situation to the CAP command post using his radio. His message was quickly relayed to City of Chicago Emergency Services. In less than three minutes, four Chicago Fire Department paramedics converged on the scene to treat the victim. Several hours later, the gentleman returned to thank the cadets who helped him.
A short while later, at the U.S. Marine Corp exhibit, a six-year-old was attempting chin-ups when he slipped and fell. The young boy hit the ground and cut his forehead, just missing his eye, and was also bleeding from his nose and mouth. Capt. James Chiang, CAP, a doctor and member of the IL Tactical EMS, was nearby, saw what occurred and reacted quickly. He requested that the Marines manage the crowd while he controlled the bleeding and calmed the child until the paramedics could get there. By the time paramedics arrived, Dr. Chiang had stabilized the young man for transport to the hospital.
After the show was over and the crowds were leaving, CAP members were heading toward the gate when they came across a frightened woman who had become separated from her eight-year-old cousin in the press of the crowds leaving the show. Again, CAP radios relayed the situation and the teams began searching. After about 20 minutes a Chicago Police Officer spotted the frightened child and the family was reunited.
Thanks to CAP’s extensive training in emergency response situations, these events all ended with positive outcomes.
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