Civil Air Patrol tells Government Operations & Military Affairs committee it can multiply emergency response capacity

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) leaders told the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee that the organization can serve as a low‑cost, flexible emergency resource for Vermont, offering aircraft, communication equipment and trained volunteers to support search‑and‑rescue, damage assessment and shelter operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Lau, who the committee introduced as CAP’s presenter, said CAP is rebuilding after COVID‑era attrition and intentionally reshaping its wing to meet “the precise needs of all the agencies within the state.” He highlighted CAP’s contribution of volunteer hours and equipment, and asked, “how can we craft our resources to fit the specific needs of the state?”

Why it matters: CAP leaders presented quantitative and operational detail to show the group’s fiscal leverage and practical fit for state emergency response. Lau pointed to an Agency of Transportation allotment of $60,000 a year and an estimated $1,300,000 in volunteer time last year, a roughly 22:1 ratio, as evidence CAP multiplies state investment.

CAP emphasized specific capabilities: airborne communications repeaters that can act as a mobile “tower” to bridge catastrophic communications failures, small fixed‑wing aircraft that can access terrain where larger platforms cannot, and a pool of trained personnel ready to support first responders. Lau described an “8,000‑foot tower” training scenario in which an airplane carries a repeater to restore field communications.

Corey Chase, introduced himself as a CAP member and as Radio Technology Services Director at the Vermont Department of Public Safety, described a recent local meeting with the American Red Cross to explore ways CAP can support Red Cross sheltering and damage validation efforts. “The Civil Air Patrol did support the Red Cross in that effort,” he said, and local arrangements to improve cooperation are still being worked out.

Lawmakers pressed on funding and mission limits. Presenters explained that when an emergency qualifies for a federal response the Air Force’s National Operations Center assigns a mission number, which provides insurance and funding to cover aircraft fuel, maintenance and mission costs; for gaps that do not qualify for federal mission support, CAP and state partners are working on interim funding approaches.

Lieutenant Jeff Palmer, commander of the Champlain Composite Squadron, and other members described community programs—STEM outreach, leadership training and free orientation flights for cadets—that help recruit youth into aviation and technical careers. A cadet captain told the committee CAP’s free orientation flights and national academies helped shape a path toward an Air Force academy and aviation training.

On local facilities, Lau noted a Rutland base the state built decades ago and said it can function as a multipurpose emergency training site or EOC; he invited agencies to use the space for exercises. He also asked lawmakers to “give us the problem” and let CAP propose practical solutions when state agencies encounter operational gaps.

Next steps: CAP leaders asked interested legislators and agency staff to reach out so CAP can align its training and resources with state needs; Lau offered to meet individually with potential volunteers and agency contacts to walk through roles, requirements and onboarding procedures. Committee leadership recessed briefly and invited the delegation to return for further discussion.