An EPIRB alert in Michigan cause the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) to activate the Michigan Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) on 11/9/2015 to perform a search operation.

Used on boats, EPIRBs contact emergency crews in the event of a sinking or other emergency and broadcast at a designated frequency via satellite.

When equiped with a GPS navigation receiver built in they allow rescue crews to find its relative location quickly.

This particular EPRIB was located near a landfill north of Cadillac and was from someone not properly disposing of the device.

Because all broadcasts from these units are treated as life threatening the AFRCC reached out to the CAP to locate the unit. The team found the unit under two feet of garbage in the landfill.

Please make sure to dispose of your EPIRB properly to avoid any false alarms and tie-ups of emergency resources.

Source: www.minews26.com