-
ARES/RACES/SERVED
AGENCY IDENTIFICATION CARD(S) (must be current)
-
ORANGE
HARD HAT (must be international orange)
-
JACKET/VEST/TEE
SHIRT/POLO SHIRT (must be international orange)
-
Mini
HERAC (Handbook for Emergency Response Amateur Communicators)
-
HANDHELD
RADIO (144/220/440 capability)
-
SPARE
BATTERY PACKS (CHARGED NiCad, NiMH)
-
ALKALINE
BATTERY CASE WITH EXTRA BATTERIES ("clamshell" or the
type that fits your radio, or a "Ham Battery" type)
-
D.C.
POWER CORD WITH FUSES AND MULTI-FUNCTION CONNECTORS
-
HEADSET,
SPEAKER-MIC (The most usable headset in high noise areas will
have noise cancellation in the -20db to -30db to be effective.
**DO NOT USE THE VOX OPTION** on any headset)
-
Earphones
(for use in a noisy environment...stereo headphones require a
stereo to mono adapter plug)
-
FOUL
WEATHER PROTECTION FOR RADIO AND YOURSELF...A PONCHO WORKS GREAT
(radio protection is a priority...you'll dry out, if you don't
melt)
-
GAIN
ANTENNA, MAG MOUNT OR OTHER TYPE LOCATED AWAY FROM HT (a 19 in.
mag mount will work on 70 cm)
-
FLASHLIGHT
WITH EXTRA BATTERIES AND SPARE BULB (they burn out)
-
TRAFFIC
DIRECTOR (red shield that fits over flashlight)
-
BELT
HOLSTER FOR FLASHLIGHT (so it can be carried easily)
-
ASSORTMENT
OF ANTENNA CONNECTORS (BNC/PL-259, BNC/SO-239, some radios require
SMA)
-
ASSORTMENT
OF POWER CONNECTORS
-
COAX
ANTENNA EXTENSION ABILITY
-
POWER
EXTENSION (ability to move from primary power source)
-
SCANNER
(pre-programmed with functional frequencies)
-
BACK-UP
POWER SOURCE FOR SCANNER
-
PENS
(gotta work) AND PENCILS (gotta be sharp) Remember, pens may freeze
in cold weather.
-
FIELD
NOTEBOOK (rain proof)
-
RADIOGRAMS
AND/OR MESSAGE FORMS FOR THE SERVED AGENCY
-
MAPS
(street for sure, topo if possible)
-
COMPASS
OR GPS
-
FIRST
AID KIT (personal use only)
-
POCKET
KNIFE (Swiss army survival type)
-
MATCHES
(preferably water proof and/or carried in a water proof container)
-
ROPE
(1/8 inch poly, for use in hoisting antennas, etc. not for rescuing)
-
BOTTLED
WATER (as much as possible, remember, you'll be toting it though)
-
FOOD
(canned or in sealed containers, must last at least 8 hours standalone)
-
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS BOOKLET
-
PERSONAL
DUST MASK (model N-95, available at Lowe's, $5.95 for 2)
-
REPEATER
DIRECTORY (should be current)
-
TIME
PIECE (watch or clock, preferably one that's right more than twice
a day)
-
CASH
(for pay phones. If power is out cash registers won't work, but
if you have exact change...gotta have it packed all the time,
not cash from jeans pockets)
-
EXTRA
PAIR OF SOCKS
-
CHANGE
OF UNDER GARMENTS
-
MOIST
TOWELETTES OR EQUAL
-
PERSONAL
CARE ITEMS
-
Daily
medication (if required)
-
Medical
ID with current medical conditions identified (if required)
-
Bee
sting kit
-
Asthma
inhaler (if required)
-
Contact
lenses, case and storage solution (if required)
-
Extra
pair of eye glasses (if required)
-
Feminine
hygiene products (don't laugh, any female operators working with
you may be eternally grateful)
-
Kleenex
and partial roll of toilet paper
-
HERAC
(Handbook for Emergency Response Amateur Communicators)
-
EMERGENCY
FLARES
-
EXTRA
VEHICLE FUSES
-
REFLECTIVE
TRIANGLES (or other passive road hazard warning device)
-
CANDLES
AND MATCHES (alternative non-electric source of light)
-
FIRE
EXTINGUISHER (rated for A-B-C fires)
-
ROPE
(heavy duty, 3/8 or 1/2 inch, again not for rigging or rescue)
-
TOOLS
(general automotive tools for light repairs)
-
SNOW
SHOVEL
-
JUMPER
CABLES
-
TOW
CHAINS (to get yourself out of a jam)
-
LUG
WRENCH (because you might get a flat)
-
SPARE
TIRE (inflated)
-
BLANKET
AND/OR SLEEPING BAG (because you might get tired and get permission
to take a nap)
-
MAGNETIC
VEHICLE I.D. SIGN(S) (any approved vehicle I.D. sign works here
even if not magnetic)
-
SEALED
WATER CONTAINERS
-
CANNED
OR DRIED FOOD (MRE's)
-
NON-ELECTRIC
CAN OPENER (possibly one of the blades on your pocket knife)
-
MESS
KIT (so you can put your vittles in it and eat 'em)
-
PLASTIC
SHEET OR TARP (may be home for a while)
-
TIRE
CHAINS (cause you might get stuck somewhere)
-
SAND/SALT
(cause you might get stuck somewhere)
-
ICE
SCRAPER (cause you might want to see where you're going)
-
MARINE
OR OTHER FORM OF DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
-
TENT
OR OTHER HOME AWAY FROM HOME (a Winnebago or Class A motor home
nice but not required)
-
FIRST
AID MANUAL
-
STERILE
ADHESIVE BANDAGES - ASSORTED SIZES
-
2
INCH SQUARE GAUZE PADS (8-12)
-
3
INCH SQUARE GAUZE PADS (8-12)
-
HYPOALLERGENIC
ADHESIVE TAPE
-
TRIANGULAR
BANDAGES (3)
-
2
INCH STERILE ROLL BANDAGES (3 ROLLS)
-
3
INCH STERILE ROLL BANDAGES (3 ROLLS)
-
SCISSORS
-
TWEEZERS
-
NEEDLE
-
SAFETY
RAZOR BLADE
-
MOISTENED
TOWELS
-
ANTISEPTIC
SPRAY
-
FEVER
THERMOMETER
-
TONGUE
DEPRESSOR BLADES
-
PETROLEUM
JELLY (bread not required)
-
SAFETY
PINS (small container with at least 10 pins)
-
VINYL
GLOVES (to protect from blood-borne pathogens)
-
ASPIRIN,
TYLENOL, EXCEDRIN, ALEVE (whatever works for your headaches)
-
ANTI-DIARRHEA
MEDICATION
-
ANTACID
-
EMETIC
(use to induce vomiting if advised by Poison Control Center)
-
LAXATIVE
-
CAFFEINE
PILLS OR OTHER SLEEP REDUCING, DROWSY REDUCTION GOODIES
-
SMELLING
SALTS OR EQUIVALENT (in case you or others faint)
-
EYE
WASH FLUIDS
-
RUBBING
ALCOHOL
-
ACTIVATED
CHARCOAL (use if advised by Poison Control Center)
-
PERSONAL
MEDICATION (at least one weeks worth per person)
-
UP
TO DATE FIRST AID CARD
-
UP
TO DATE CPR CARD
-
SNAKE
BITE KIT (Well, you're not likely to need it in these parts, but
just for fun)
-
Many
thanks to Herb Nichols W3EOA for compiling the above lists.
-
Copy
of District Operations Manual
-
List
of served agency phone numbers in your area (not just your district)
-
Manuals
for whatever radios you are using
-
Boundary-Marking
Tape
-
Insect
Repellent (summer)
-
Sun
screen (winter or summer)
-
Spare
shoe laces and some twine
-
Fanny-pack/Back-Pack
-
Sports/Bicycle
water bottle
-
High
energy snacks
-
Large
trash bags
-
Large
& small zip lock baggies
-
Whistle
-
Electrical
tape
-
VOM
-
Battery
quick charger (that operates from a 12 V power source)
-
Fence
Pliers (includes hammer)
-
Crimp
Tool (includes wire stripper)
-
Assortment
of crimp connectors, nails, brads, tacks
-
4 or
more each of the 4", 8" and 12" plastic cable ties
-
2 Wire
AC Extension Cord w/2-3 pin adaptor
-
AC to
12V power supply
-
Soldering
Iron (or torch) w/solder
-
2M Beam
Antenna w/Tripod, mast & guy rope
-
Nut
Driver set
-
Folding
set of Allen/Torx wrenches
-
Zip
Cord
-
AM/FM
broadcast band radio