Welcome to Alabama Wing's Emergency Services School (WESS, formerly FTX) web site. The Alabama WESS is sponsored by the Maxwell Composite Squadron (AL-032), and is the most comprehensive ground operations training program available in Alabama Wing.

Utilizing the links above, you can see the scope of the training we provide. Out goal is simple - to provide our students, and the wing, with the best quality of training and the best trained operators possible. Our methodology has been developed over the past decade and is refined following every event to accomplish this goal.

The WESS was started in 1997 as a test-bed for the National Emergency Services Curriculum and National Ground Search And Rescue (NGSAR) School. Since that time, the WESS has grown to become one of the longest running CAP ground team task training programs in the region.

Students from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Maryland have participated in the program. We continue to be closely tied to NGSAR, with many of our staff members serving at the National school. In addition, WESS also serves to test programmatic and methodology changes that may be implemented at the National school.

The WESS is divided into four courses of instruction:

• The Basic Course is where the majority of students receive training and education to complete the task requirements for Ground Team Member 3.

• The Advanced Course will take members up to the Ground Team Member 1 "G1" qualification, and is only available to members that have previously graduated WESS or earned GTM 3 through other training.

• The Team Leader Course is available to members who meet the age and training prerequisites for Ground Team Leader candidates. In addition to the academics and field work of this school, Team Leader students have the ability to actually lead their own ground team throughout the cycle.

• An ICSS Basic Course is available for support staff members.  ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 are covered in detail.  ICSS Basic Course members can attain various ICS ratings, including MSA and MRO.

While Maxwell AFB is the home of our program, and our academic program is based there, we would be remiss not to share that the program’s success is directly influenced by member support. The actual field training is conducted in Tallassee, Alabama on terrain owned by the families of students and we are grateful for their continued commitment to CAP.

I hope you find this site useful and that you develop a greater understanding and appreciation of our program. If you wish to read more about the history of the WESS and how the curriculum has evolved, please read the History of the WESS.

Regards,

Michael Long, Lt Col
Director