A.R.E.S 72HR EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT KIT

THIS LIST IS A PRODUCT OF MANY OTHER LISTS– The ideas on this list have been brought together many resources.  Thank you to those who provided prior information!

This list was developed to give a starting point that the user can develop his or her own list if items from. 

Things to consider…

First–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.

Second– You need to have your equipment and supplies in readiness ahead of time at specific location. 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? Iis it waterproof or resistant? Is it clearly marked? Can you sit on it when it is empty?. Can you mount the equipment into it or on it? Should you build a shelf-like framework that fits inside the container? Would your antenna fit inside large PVC Pipe with removable end caps? Where is your Duct Tape? Do you have light to see at night? 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, healthbar, snack,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?

 

 Suggested Items for Amateur Radio Operators to have during Emergency situations.

  • IDENTIFICATION and DOCUMENTATION
    • Original Driver’s License or ID Card Issued by State Government
    • 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
      • Net Frequencies and Functions (Keep it Current)
      • Simplex Frequencies and Functions
      • Plans for Repeater Failures (Simplex on Ouptut? Alt Simplex)
      • Outline for Net Operation and Traffic Handling
      • Packet Frequencies and Identifiers (Digipeat Set-ups,etc)
      • Whatever materials you need to do your best work.
      • Blank Paper that fits this binder
      • Consider Plastic Page Protectors for some references
      • Detail Map of your area, Map of nearby area

 

  • RADIO & Portable Station EQUIPMENT
    • Note: Separate VHF/UHF and HF complete inventories
    • VHF/UHF Radio, HF Radio (Per your requirements)
    • Microphone, Headphones,Earphone, “Y” adapter for 2nd Headphones
    • OPTIONAL: Additional Headset with microphone
    • POWER SUPPLIES- High Current Batteries(GEL/NICAD/ALK), Power Suppy, DC charger, DC Cords Extra Batteries & Spare Fuses (Make list of REQ)
    • DC Power Center- Cable to Main Battery meets connectors for muliple connections (Scanner, TNC, VHF, UHF, HF, Light, etc)
    • VHF/UHF ANTENNA- Portable and Fixed Portable (for each band used or dualband)-
    • Spare Fuses for Amplifier and other accessories
    • 1/4 wave or 5/8 wave magnetic mount antenna with adaptors to BNC,SMA,PL-259
    • Wall Chargers for HTs
    • Gell Cell 12 volt Batteries for AMP & ACC, w/connectors and Cigarette Lighter Jack
    • Extra 1/2 wave 2mtr antenna for HT
    • Extra AA Alkaline or Lithium Batteries (also AC fast-charger w/batteries)
    • Dozen Cable Ties, misc types.
    • Pencils,pens,erasers,markers,pen-knife,paper,binder,white-out,Carbon Paper,plastic Envelope
    • Flashlight- 3- “D”Cell type(spare batteries/lamp), Lantern w/batteries/Lamp
    • Compass and ability to use it.
    • Misc.Personal Items- W/case: Safety Items, First Aid,Sun glasses,Spare reading Glasses,Matches,Tweezers, Insect repellant,Kleenex,SunBlock,Sewing Kit,adhesive tape,Gause Pads 6- 4″,handi-wipes,
    • ARES Field Manual, and other refrences as required.
    • MARS Members- appropriate references (report format,net procedures,refrences,etc.)
    • FRS Radio- one or two w/batteries w/plan to contact family, local FRS Plan,etc
    • ARES/MARS VEST- Safety Vest (reflector Tape),etc.

 

  • WRITING & Traffic Handling
    • Spare Glasses in Hard Case
    • Zippered See-Through Case for misc. items
    • Pens, Pencils, Erasers (White-out?)
    • Water-Resistant container for your papers
    • Message Forms (Help List if required)
    • Log Book (wear wrist watch, or have clock nearby)
    • Clip Board with Paper (3 ring binder type best)
    • Spiral Notebook (Organization, Name and Callsign on Book)
    • Computer Disc with duplicate programs used, and Important information for display.
    • Notebook Computer if required, 100% paper back-up

 

  • 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
    • Hex Wrench,Spline Wrench,Square-Drive
    • Wrench Suitable to turn off Gas Valve (8″ Adjustable Crescent Wrench)
    • BAG of connectors,plugs,jumpers,Coax Crimp-type Connectors,etc.
    • Volt Ohm Meter & spare battery
    • 12VDC Soldering Iron and solder
    • 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
    • PRY BAR
    • 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?) ID CARD ON LANYARD?

 

  • PERSONAL ITEMS- MINIMUM Short Duration Events
    • Personal Medications (in adaquate supply with written descripton
      / Prescription Copy of drug and size tab,etc.)
    • Extra Prescription Glasses and hearing aid batteries
    • 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)
    • Hankerchief
    • Space Blanket, Plastic Drop Cloth,
    • Spare Keys to your vehicle
    • Back-up Credit Cards,Cash,Coin,PhotoCopy of Radio ID, DL, etc

 

  • 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 suppies
    • 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 Underware and Socks
    • Work Gloves
    • Folding Chair with Name on It (antenna Base?)
    • Electrical Tape, Duct Tape, Poly-Rope, Nylon twine

 

  • FOOD ITEMS
      • Water- personal carrier, bottled, canned, bagged,(washcloth in baggie)etc.
      • Canned Soda- Ginger Ale, Coke, 7up,Fruit Juice,etc
      • Canned: Soup,beans,Chili,Tuna,Ravioli,Tortias,Crackers,etc.
      • Peanut Butter,Crackers,Jam/Jelly,Cheese Spread,Chicken/Ham Spread,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 Chocloate 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,Bismith Liquid,
      • 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 (plan to use it)
    • Phone Patch with proper Plugs/Jacks and Phone Interface Connections
    • 12vdc High Current PS for 12V HF Radio Transceiver.
    • 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,

 

  • THIS LIST UNDER CONTINUOUS REVISION– New suggestions are always appreciated. 

Consider having a emergency simulation, take your equipment to another location, and set up your station, and see what you do not have… and write it down. Participate in Drills and Simulations if you can, and Join an Emergency Communications Group if you can (RACES, ARES, REACT, MARS ETC)