What is a “Travel Kit”?
One never knows when an emergency or disaster will occur. There is always a good chance you won’t be at home. You could be running errands across town and be separated from your home (and radio equipment) by bridges and highways that can become impassible. Skamania ARES members are expected to always have a minimal amount of “kit” with them in their vehicle should such an event occur. Below is a recommended checklist:
- Handheld and/or mobile radio
- Radio manual
- Mobile antenna (mag mount)
- DC adapter for handheld
- Spare batteries for handheld
- RF adapters for handheld to mobile antenna
- SCARES Communication Plan (latest version)
- SCARES ICS-205 (latest version)
- SCARES Phone List
- Rapid Needs Assessment form (qty 10, preferably printed on waterproof paper)
- Pens/pencils/paper
- Skamania County map
- High visibility vest with name tag
- Identification (DEM card and driver’s license)
- County magnetic access card (if you have one)
In addition to the above, it is highly recommended that you always have the following available in your vehicle at a minimum:
- Clothing appropriate for the season
- Drinking water (1 liter)
- Emergency whistle
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Leather gloves
- Snacks (candy, energy bars, jerky, etc.)
- Spare batteries for flashlight
What is a “Go Kit”?
Skamania ARES team members are expected to maintain a “Go Kit” in order to operate self-sustained for various period of time. What should be in the Go Kit? Ultimately, the purpose of the Go Kit is self sufficiency and will depend on where you are being deployed to. Knowing how and where you might be deployed has a big impact. Below are suggestions for a short-term (less than 24 hours), mid-term (24-48 hours), and long-term (greater than 48 hours) deployments.
24 Hour
- Identification (DEM card and driver’s license)
- Mobile radio with antenna
- Handheld radio (optional but desired)
- Power supply (AC and/or DC)
- Field operation manual
- Water and drinks (hot/cold depending on season)
- Food/snacks
- Prescription drugs
- First aid kit including OTC medication for pain and digestive distress
- Ability to receive NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts
- Appropriate clothing for current and expected weather conditions
- Rain gear
- Adequate footwear
- Assorted RF connectors and adapters
- Assorted RF coax cables
- SWR meter (optional but desired)
- Miscellaneous hand tools (see below for recommend toolbox)
- Admin supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc)
- Batteries
- Knife
- Flashlight
- Leather gloves
- Hard hat/helmet
- ARES Deployment Vest
48 Hour
- All of the items in the 24-Hour Go Kit plus:
- More food, water, drinks
- Sleeping bag
- Shelter (tent, tarp, etc)
- Change of clothes
72 Hour
- All of the items in the 48-Hour Go Kit plus:
- Another change of clothes
- More food, water, drinks
Toolbox (recommended)
- Screw drivers: flat, phillips, and torx
- Adjustable wrench
- Adjustable pliers
- Adjustable locking pliers (Vice grips)
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Sand paper (for cleaning parts)
- Assortment of allen wrench’s
- Electrical tape
- Duct tape
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Assortment of small screws, nuts, bolts & washers