What to take to a Disaster Area
From the ARES E-Letter, August 15, 2006
Note from the ARRL Website:
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH: WHAT TO TAKE TO THE DISASTER AREA
Amateurs [Radio Emergency Communicators] routinely ask me, what personal items do I need to take into a disaster area? The short answer is take everything you would need yo survive on a camping trip for a week, plus some disaster specific items.
Your kit can be tailored to your specific needs. Prepare and test your kit well before-hand, as you will have to hit the ground running during the real thing. The purpose of your personal kit is to help you survive, be more comfortable and protect yourself from unknowns the best you can. We cannot be productive nor do our job if we are a burden on the system. Your communications/equipment "Go-Kit" would be a separate list. Always register with your local EC and never self-deploy to a disaster area.
Training is important to take with you. Train before the event and be ready. Take your ARRL and FEMA training certificates with you. Laminate your training cards to protect them. Minimal FEMA training includes IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700. Served agencies are requiring volunteers to have certain training so you will know their lingo, procedures and processes. Red Cross First Aid/CPR training is also a must. A good way to get general training is to enroll in the next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. Then, take the Red Cross training, and the ARRL and FEMA Independent Study online courses, one at a time.
Vaccinations and medications: Tetanus and Hepatitis-B vaccinations are two recommended vaccinations. Check with your doctor to make sure you get the right shots. Personal prescription medications, and copies of prescriptions, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead for controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried.
Plan for travel with the knowledge that there may be shortages of electricity, safe water, or food distribution systems in affected areas. Pack to be as self-sufficient as possible and bring only those items necessary for your trip.
Have a spare everything.
Put your items in resealable plastic containers, and then pack them full of trash on the way out.
-- Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Alabama Section Manager
posted by ACS-CERT Liaison @ 9:22 PM
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