Desert Scorpion-Utah Wing Search and Rescue Academy

Desert Scorpion is a week long course to develop future emergency services leaders in communicators, incident command staff and field operators to conduct operations any place or time. It is set up as an extended training exercise to include an A5 mission and flight operations. It is an introduction to basic and intermediate emergency services operations. Students learn how to establish a remote incident command post (ICP) and sustain operations; perform the duties of ICP staff and become qualified in MRO and MSA; conduct land navigation/map and chart reading; operate HF and VHF communications systems; use WMIRS to include entering sorties and resource tracking. All ICP specialties are available during the course.

Desert Scorpion also provides practical leadership education and development by providing real world problem solving scenarios. As no mission goes as planned, students face challenges found in all mission types. Students gain leadership experience in leading small teams in tasks aimed at achieving specific goals.

Contact for Activity: nicholas.cook@utwg.cap.gov

Website for Activity: http://www.utwg.cap.gov/cadet-programs/ or https://www.facebook.com/DesertScorpionCAP/

Participants:

Completed encampment credit recorded in eServices when you apply

Senior members must have completed Level 1 training and Cadet Protection Program Training (CPPT)

Also must have accomplished the following by due dates given by activity staff prior to attendance.  If you are interested in attending this year or in future, you can get a head start on these items.

a. Have and active 101 Card

b.IS 100

c. IS 700

d. CAPT 116 General Emergency Services

e. CAPT 117 ES Continuing Education - Part 1

f. ICUT (online training must be complete)

Staff:

Cadets: 

Same as participants plus

Skills Evaluator Testing qualified as Ground Team Member (GTM) 2/3, Urban Direction Finding Team (UDF), Mission Radio Operator (MRO), Mission Staff Assistant (MSA )

Must hold an active 101 GES card

If 18 or older, completed Cadet Protection Program Training basic or higher

Preference given to prior Desert Scorpion graduates

Senior Members: 

Completed a Cadet Protection Program Training Course within the last 48 months

Have an active 101 GES Card

Hold a current CAP driver's license

If instructing, you must be Skills Evaluator Testing qualified as Ground Team Member (GTM) 2/3, Urban Direction Finding Team (UDF), Mission Radio Operator (MRO), Mission Staff Assistant (MSA)

Use the "Apply Online" link here or on the ncsas.com homepage to connect you to eServices' Registration and Payment System.  Applicants will need to complete the application to include uploading the following documents in PDF format to the supplemental tab of their eServices application.  All staff must apply via eServices, or they will not receive credit for the activity in their records. For staff applicants, you will be contacted to let you know whether or not you have not been selected. Applications will be accepted from 1 December onward.  To be considered for priority placement status, the completed application including supplemental documents must be submitted by 15 January.  Applications submitted after 15 January are accepted but are marked "late" and will be considered AFTER all applications submitted before the deadline. Priority timelines do not apply to staff

Participants:

 No additional application instructions

Staff: 

 No additional application instructions

Important Information:

Use the following course numbers to verify you are selecting the correct activity in the eServices "Preferences" tab of your application.  Activities appear alphabetically, but will have the course number next to them in the tab. You can download a sortable spreadsheet on the ncsas.com homepage for a complete listing of activity course numbers. If you can't see the course number on your device, try changing the zoom on the page.

• eServices Short Name: UTESA    

• Cadet Participant Course #: 434

• Staff Participant Course #: 435

• Activity Full Name: Desert Scorpion - Utah Wing Search And Rescue Academy

This activity was cancelled for summer 2023.  We look forward to the activity standing back up in 2024.

Go to the eServices CadetInvest Module and apply for Cadet Lift and Take-Off Program Cadet (TOP), to be considered for needs-based financial assistance or NCSA scholarships.  Also apply for flight scholarships. These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs, as well as flight academies. They include payment of your activity fees and transportation to and from the activity. Go to the CadetInvest pages for more details. Deadline to apply for scholarships and financial assistance is 31 December. Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity. You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity. You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.  

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior

• Activity Director determines course objectives met

• Achieve a minimum of 80% on end of course written exam

• Achieve a "pass" on hands-on, team practical exercise

• Activity Staff will provide transportation between Salt Lake City Airport (KSLC) and the activity location.

• Required Staff Training on 3 days prior to activity start date at 0800