California Emergency Mobile Patrol, Inc. (CEMP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization. We are based out of LAPD’s Devonshire Division, providing manpower for searches for critical missing persons, lighting for crime scenes, traffic control, and standby medical for special events. We receive no monetary support from the City — all of our funding comes from member dues and donations. The organization is composed of men and women from the community 18 years and older; many are specialist volunteers and several are full-time LAPD officers. The organization also has several K-9s used for tracking; several dogs are also cadaver trained. All the dogs are certified by the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA). CEMP has been providing its services to the community for the past 51 years and is currently serving Valley Bureau, but is available citywide should the need arise.
All members are certified in first aid, CPR and AED; many members are EMTs. All have completed the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program and the SARTECH training through the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). CEMP utilizes its own radio system and all members utilize their own vehicles, with the exception of two vehicles that belong to the organization and serve as medical and command post vehicles. We also have a trailer-mounted lighting tower, along with portable lighting equipment.
During 2011 and 2012, CEMP saved the City over $100,000 in officer salaries by providing personnel to search for missing persons. CEMP also provides evacuation assistance when requested. Some of the more notable responses were the Northridge earthquake, the Chatsworth Metrolink train crash, and the Station fire.
We are constantly looking for additional members. If you have a passion for search and rescue or community service, we would love to hear from you. We meet at the Devonshire roll call room on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., or you can visit our website at www.cemp.org. For further information, email recruit@cemp.org or call (866) 448-3212.
Dean Alexander is the president of CEMP.