Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced today, on the 80^th Anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol, a bill he co-sponsored and passed to allow public employee members of the Civil Air Patrol to be compensated at their regular rate of pay while participating in emergency services missions during a declared state of emergency has been signed into law (Ch. 438 of 2021).

“The Civil Air Patrol has a long and storied history of volunteers donating their time to protect our families and communities in times of emergency,” said Santabarbara. “Dating back to World War II, volunteer search and rescue assistance has long demonstrated our country’s commitment to coming together to protect those in need. This legislation helps continue a proud legacy of the Civil Air Patrol while fairly compensating volunteers for their hard work and sacrifice.”

While the mission of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, founded on December 1^st, 1941, initially focused on defense against foreign enemies, it has expanded over the years to include lifesaving operations during natural disasters and aid in search and rescue missions. The new law ensures public officers and employees of the state who are members of the Air Force or Coast Guard Civil Air Patrols will be granted leave from work with pay to participate in emergency services during a declared state of emergency (Ch. 438 of 2021). The members will be compensated at their regular rate of pay for those work hours while participating in emergency service missions. Volunteers often log anywhere from dozens to over a thousand hours while aiding in emergency situations and deserve compensation for their service, noted Santabarbara.