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This list was developed to give a starting point that the user can develop his or her list of items from. I strongly suggest that you use this list as basic information, and customize your kit to fit your methods of operations, and the equipment you need to conduct them.
We can train all we want, but without the correct gear, we might as well use soup cans and string.
There are several points I want to make before we go any further…
First – As much as you are willing to help out, make sure that your family and pets are safe, and that you will have a home to come back to once your deployment has ended.
Second – you can not be of any help to anyone if you are not well prepared and in reasonable health. Be sure to have what you need to sustain yourself (food, water, medicine, etc.) so others will not have to take care of you.
Third – you need to have your equipment and supplies in readiness ahead of time. If there is an item that you need elsewhere that is part of your kit, place a note (easily seen) on the outside of the kit so you or another you can retrieve it. Keep an inventory inside the container itself.
Finally – consider the containers you use for your supplies, can you carry them? Can you put wheels on them? Are they waterproof or resistant? Are they clearly marked? Can you provide battery power to others while not disabling your set-up? How do you plan to recharge your batteries? Did you hide some of your favorite candy, gum, etc. inside one of your equipment boxes in addition to your food supply? Do you have a plastic tarp to cover you and the equipment? Is your equipment and supplies marked with your name?
That’s it! Now, let’s get out there and help out, and not become a statistic!
IDENTIFICATION and DOCUMENTATION
Original Driver's License or state ID card, passport, Enhanced drivers license (for operations into Canada)
FCC Amateur Radio License (Copy OK)
ID CARD of Specific Group (ARES, AREC, REACT, Etc.)
If your ID Cards do not have your home address on it, have Utility Bill, Insurance Bill, etc. that shows your home address (you may need it to gain access to your home).
Optional: Photo of your family and yourself
Personal Address Book w/radio contacts
Small Binder with Important Information
ARES / MARS / CERT Safety Vest
OPERATING AIDS
Current Copy of ICS-205 that includes Net Frequencies and Functions with room for additional frequencies
Outline for Net Operation and Traffic Handling
Blank Paper that fits your binder
Consider Plastic Page Protectors for some references, or laminating
Detail Map of your area, Map of nearby area
ARES Field Manual and other references as required.
MARS Members- appropriate references (report format, net procedures, references, etc.)
Water-Resistant container for your papers
Message Forms
Log Book
Clip Board
Spiral Notebook (Organization, Name and Call sign on Book)
Bootable CD / Thumb Drive / Computer Disc with duplicate programs used and important information for display
Notebook Computer (not required but does help, due to unknown power situation make sure to have 100% paper back-up … AND know how to operate with both)
Pencils, pens, erasers, markers, paper, binder, white-out
Flashlight- 3- "D" Cell type (spare batteries/lamp), Lantern w/batteries/Lamp
Compass or GPS and the ability to use it
RADIO EQUIPMENT
(Editors note… I will more than likely ruffle some feathers here… but I will be limiting the list to “local operations only”. Therefore, no HF equipment will be listed. 95% of the traffic you will be passing will stay within a 40 mile range… more than likely a much shorter area than that. Lets leave HF gear and long range communications to the EOC’s, and concentrate on getting that message to the EOC locally)
VHF/UHF Mobile Radio (dual band preferred)
VHF/UHF HT style radio (dual band preferred)
Each HT should have a “primary” battery and a “backup” battery (A battery case that accepts AA batteries are strongly recommended) with AC and DC chargers.
High Current Batteries (sealed lead acid type), Power Supply, DC charger, DC Cords, Extra Batteries & Spare Fuses, Extra AA Alkaline or Lithium Batteries (also AC fast-charger w/batteries)
DC Power Center- Cable to Main Battery needs connectors for multiple connections (Scanner, TNC, VHF, UHF, Light, etc)
VHF/UHF ANTENNA- Portable and Fixed Portable (for each band used or dual band)
Antenna mounts… MIL surplus or home brew (you want to get your antenna as high as possible)
Headphones, "Y" adapter for Headphones, adaptors to convert plugs
COAXIAL CABLE ADAPTORS- Barrel Adaptor, PL259 to BNC, Adaptors as required for your set-up, surveyors tape to mark cables.
"Mini-Mag" Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
DC ADAPTORs for Polarized standard power connectors with fused wires, Molex, Voltage Adaptors, Etc.
Other radios - AM/FM, SCANNER (WX and Public Safety), CB/FRS and Perhaps HT to liaison frequency
Operator’s manual for ALL radios and amps. (Nothing is worse that not remembering how to change a PL tone in a hurry)
List of the information programmed into the radio if RESET required.
ADDITIONAL RADIO ITEMS- (stored separately)
VHF/UHF "Brick" Amplifier w/cable to HT w/spare adaptors
DC Extension power cable (10-15') to AMP, with appropriate power connectors
Spare Fuses for Amplifier and other accessories
1/4 wave or 5/8 wave magnetic mount antenna with adaptors to BNC, SMA, PL-259
Extra 1/2 wave 2mtr antenna for HT
Cable ties in a variety of sizes and/or Velcro ties
PERSONAL NEEDS
Safety Items, sun glasses, spare reading glasses, matches, tweezers, insect repellant, Kleenex, sewing kit, adhesive tape, gauze pads 6- 4",handi-wipes, Band-Aids, tape, aspirin and other medications in original labeled bottle
A written copy of your prescriptions WITHOUT A DATE on it (Some doctors will write these for you)
Cash, Coin and Credit Card info (8 quarters, 20 dimes, $10, $5, and 5-$1’s)
First Aid Kit (See Red Cross List for Recommended Contents)
Snacks (High Energy, etc)
Liquid Refreshment- Water, Soda, Juice (No Alcohol)
Throat Lozenges (Cough Drops, etc)
Headache Medicine (Aspirin, etc)
Water Resistant Windbreaker/ Jacket
Hat and Sunglasses and sunscreen (if required)
Space Blanket, Plastic Drop Cloth,
Spare Keys to your vehicle
Back-up Credit Cards, Cash, Coin, Photo Copy of Radio ID, DL, etc
TOOLS & MISC.- MINIMUM Short Duration
Assorted Wire Ends w/Crimp Tool for extending or repairing wires
Roll of speaker wire and Power Wire
6" Diagonal Cutters
6" Needle Nose Pliers
Wire Crimper/Cutter/Stripper
Roll of UL Black Plastic Tape
Roll of Duct Tape
Screw Drivers- Standard and Phillips
Locking Pliers & Vice Grips
Wrenches and Drivers
Regular Pliers
Wrench Suitable to turn off Gas Valve (8" Adjustable Crescent Wrench)
BAG of connectors, plugs, jumpers, coax connectors, etc
Volt Ohm Meter & spare battery
Soldering Iron and solder (butane powered preferred)
Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
Case or Zippered Bag to store tools
Inventory List of Contents of All Bags/Cases
TOOLS & MISC.-EXPANDED Longer Duration
Claw Hammer, Assortment of Nails
Assortment of Hooks, Eyes, Screws, Nuts, Bolts, and stiff wire
Tool Box Saw or Hack Saw with spare blades
Folding Shovel
Plastic Bags (HD Garbage...Small and Large) Clear or Black
Folding Tarps (1 small, 1 medium)
50' of Hemp Rope (3/8 min) Poly OK if no hemp
50' of Poly Twine
Siphon and container to transfer Gasoline or Kerosene
Axe or Hatchet
Jumper Cables for Car (Extra Long Best, in Bag because of acid)
Road Flares
Lanterns and Stove of Coleman type, with spare fuel, mantle and burner jet.
2 to 5 Gallons of Gasoline in Approved container with spout.
Fire Extinguisher (ABC 3 to 10 lb)
AC Generator (W/12V DC) with spares and fuel
2- 50 3wire Grounded AC Extension Cords 1-#12GA, 1#16GA
Binoculars- Opera Glasses
Roll of Paper Towels, TP (in plastic Bag) and 10 cotton Shop Rags
Whistle on lanyard (signal mirror?)
PERSONAL ITEMS- EXPANDED Longer Duration Events
3 day supply of water (canteens, etc. transportable)
Cooler with 3 day supply of food (w/prep supplies etc)
Camp or Military Style "Mess" Kit, and cleaning supplies
Expanded First Aid Kit
Foul Weather Gear, Poncho, Rain Hat, Regular Hat
Sleeping Bag or Blanket/Pillow w/2 slips, (sit on it too)
Toilet Articles (Over-night type kit) & TP supply
Wind-up or Battery Alarm Clock
Lantern or Flashlight with spare bulb and batteries
Candles with waterproof matches
Extra underwear and socks
Work Gloves
Folding Chair with name on it
Electrical Tape, Duct Tape, Poly-Rope, Nylon twine
FOOD ITEMS
Water- personal carrier, bottled, canned,
Canned Soda- Ginger Ale, Coke, 7up,Fruit Juice, etc
Canned Soup, beans, Chili, Tuna, Ravioli, Crackers, etc.
Peanut Butter, Crackers, Jam/Jelly, hard Candy
Large Zip Lock Bags, Roll of Foil, Napkins (in Baggie)
Can opener, knife, spoon, fork, Vegetable scraper, beer can opener, 2nd Spoon
Napkins/Paper Towels
Instant Coffee, Hot Chocolate Packs, Soup Packs, Tea Bags,
Hard Candy, Protein Bars, Gum, Favorite Candy,
Sterno Stove, Spare Sterno, Pellet Stove, Pan w/handle & Lid, W/Bar or Tablet Fuel
MRE, dried food, dried fruit, powdered milk, lemonade, etc
Boxing and inventory for the above items
Roll of Antacid Tablets
6- Garbage Bag for Trash (45 GAL), Rain Poncho, cover radios, bedding
Paper Towel Roll for Napkins/Clean-up.
OTHER EQUIPMENT TO BE CONSIDERED
Plan with family where to meet or how to communicate after or during the emergency. Even designate relative out of area to check in with to coordinate in worst case
FRS Radios (2) for Family w/spare batteries (and a plan on to use it)
Phone Patch with proper Plugs/Jacks and Phone Interface Connections
Backup 12vdc High Current power supply
Binder with Photocopied References of Value
Sturdy Shoes and Protective Clothing
Umbrella- Rain or Sun Shade (Antenna Support?)
Golf Shirt, Pants, Belt,
PAD / CUSHION for folding Chair
Travel Alarm Clock,
Portable radio with earphone and spare batteries
Reading Book, Bible, pocket video game,
other "GO-KIT" links
ARES "GO KIT"- Equipment & Supplies for Immediate Field Deployment,etc
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