Maine ARES

1. Maine ARES The Ready Kit What we need to operate Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

3. The Ready Kit The last thing you should need to do when a call for assistance comes is to think of and locate all the items you might need. Any experienced emergency responder knows how important it is to keep a kit of the items they need ready to go at a moment�s notice. This is often called a �Ready Kit� (a.k.a. �Jump Kit�, �Go Bag� or �Go Kit�).

4. The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a Ready Kit What networks you will join and what equipment you will need to do so? Will you need to relocate quickly or can you bring �a ton� of equipment? Will you be on foot or near your vehicle? Is your assignment a fixed location or will you be mobile?

5. The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a Ready Kit How long will you be deployed? Less than 48 hours, up to 72 hours or even a week or more Will you be in a building with reliable power and working toilets or in a tent away from civilization?

6. The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a Ready Kit What type of weather or other conditions might be encountered? Where will food and water come from? Are sanitary facilities available? Will there be a place to sleep? Do you need a plan for a wide variety of scenarios or just a few?

7. The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a Ready Kit Be creative in your thinking and planning Try to consider every possible emergency you might be involved in, what you might be doing and what you would need to accomplish the mission

8. Ready Kit Have your Ready Kit Planned and packed in advance If you are unable to pack your Ready Kit in advance Have all the items you will need at hand When disaster strikes is not the time to �go shopping� Have an inventory of the items you will need Keep your inventory current Know where they are Have appropriate containers available for the supplies �You gotta have a place to put your stuff�

9. Ready Kit There is no stock or standard Ready Kit It varies with the assignment It is individually planned It reflects the needs and capabilities of the owner It should be adjusted as new needs are realized and new equipment and capabilities are added

10. Ready Kit The Ready Kit includes four basic categories Communications Equipment Tools Power Supplies Administrative Personal

11. Ready Kit Communications Equipment Radios Basic voice and CW equipment Any additional equipment Computer Digital Mode Equipment Adapters Basic Test Equipment Feedline To get the signal to the antenna Antennas Something to radiate the signal

12. Tools Those tools that you need to install, operate and maintain your equipment in the field (at a deployed location) Ready Kit

13. Ready Kit Power AC Power Supplies With power cords (with adapters) Battery Chargers Batteries Generators Extension Cords (with adapters) Alternate power sources Wind Water Solar

14. Ready Kit Supplies Administrative Supplies The Paperwork To Do Your Job Personal Supplies Clothing Food and Drink Personal Needs Safety Equipment

15. Ready Kit Supplies Administrative Supplies Personal identification Drivers License EMA ARES/RACES ID Copy of Amateur Radio License Logs ICS Form 309 suggested Message Forms ARRL Radiograms ICS Form 213 (ICS Message Form) ARC Form 4612 (Message Form) ARC Form 2079I (DWI Form) Pens and Pencils Note pads Clipboard ARES/RACES documents

16. Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Clothing Clothing appropriate to the emergency conditions, the season and the weather Refer to the location you are being deployed for appropriate clothing requirements Make note of the weather forecast for updates

17. Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Food and drink Do not depend on our served agencies or those at your deployed locations for food supplies Plan your supplies to last the duration of your deployment Keep non-perishable food with you Keep about 1 gallon of water per day with you

18. Supplies Personal Supplies Prescription Medications for the duration of your assignment Spare eyeglasses Patent Medicines Insect Repellent Sunscreen Cash ($ 20.00 in bills and change) Lighting Sanitary Supplies Ready Kit

19. Supplies Personal Supplies Sleeping equipment Folding Cot Sleeping bag Blanket Pillow Ground Pad One Man Tent Ready Kit

20. Supplies Personal Supplies Safety Equipment Reflective Vest Hard Hat Work Gloves Safety Boots Hearing Protection Goggles or Safety Glasses Particle Masks or Respirator Mask w/spare filters First Aid Kit Ready Kit

21. Always Remember To Never Depend On Our Served Agencies To Provide Us With What We Need To Do Our Job Or Provide For Our Personal Needs Have What You Need With You Ready Kit

22. The following are examples of suggested Ready Kits Remember, the Ready Kit is a personal thing Adjust your Ready Kit to your capabilities and needs Adjust your Ready Kit as your capabilities or needs change Ready Kit

23. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Communications Equipment 2-meter /dual-band HT (preferred) Cell phone and /or pager HT �Gain� antenna, telescoping 1/4 wave, wind- up J-Pole or "Long" Flexible dual-band 25 feet RG-58 coax (with connectors) Ready Kit

24. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Tools Scout Knife or Multi-Tool Leatherman�, or Gerber� (preferred) Orienteering compass Ready Kit

25. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Power Spare batteries for Cell Phone or Pager Spare rechargeable battery pack for HT Alkaline battery shell for HT 3 changes of batteries for alkaline shell Battery charger for HT/Cell phone Small AC power supply for HT With power cord and connectors Extension cord and power strip w/adapters Ready Kit

26. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Administrative Supplies Personal Identification Drivers License EMA ARES/RACES ID Copy of Amateur Radio License Logs ICS Form 309 suggested Message Forms ARRL Radiograms ICS Form 213 (ICS Message Form) ARC Form 4612 (Message Form) ARC Form 2079I (DWI Form) Pens and Pencils Note pads Clipboard ARES/RACES documents Ready Kit

27. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Matches or lighter Whistle MDOT or City / County road map Sunglasses Emergency cash ($ 20.00 in bills/change) Sunscreen Insect repellent Ready Kit

28. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Clothing appropriate to the season Rain Gear (rain suit or poncho) Personal medications and hygiene items Food, nonperishable, adequate for 24 hours Water, total of 1 gallon / day minimum Small AA flashlight Spare batteries for flashlight Spare bulb for flashlight Watch or battery clock Ready Kit

29. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Spare eyeglasses Shelter, Space Blanket�, military poncho, or plastic trash bag, one man tent, etc. Sleeping bag Sleeping pad, closed cell foam Pillow Towels Mess kit, military canteen w/cup, knife, fork and spoon Rope, 20 ft. nylon �flatline,� and 50 feet �parachute� cord Personal EPA rated water filter, purification tablets Ready Kit

30. Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Safety Equipment Reflective Vest Hard Hat Work Gloves Safety Boots Hearing Protection Goggles or Safety Glasses Particle Masks or Respirator Mask w/spare filters First Aid Kit Ready Kit

31. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Communications Equipment Cell Phone or pager Handheld Radio (dual band, if possible) Spare battery packs (Rechargeable and battery shell) Headset and Speaker/Mic. Mobile Transceiver (dual band, if possible) Ear Phones Quarter Wave 2 meter Magnet Mount/Ground Plane Antenna (will function on 70 cm) Coax jumpers and connectors Connector Adapters (bnc/pl259, bnc/so239, some radios require SMA) Ready Kit

32. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Communications Equipment 50 feet RG-58 or RG-8x coax w/connectors Antenna portable mast (10 feet or more) Portable antenna base or tripod Guy rope Tent pegs for guys Transistor radio NOAA Weather Alert Radio Ready Kit

33. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Tools Swiss Army - type � knife or Multi Tool Screw driver (Phillips and flat blade) Pliers Side cutters Crescent wrench Electrical tape VOM Fence pliers (includes hammer) Ready Kit

34. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Tools Soldering Iron w/solder Nut Driver set Folding set of Allen/Torx wrenches Zip Cord 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 Ready Kit

35. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Power Spare rechargeable battery pack for HT Spare batteries for Cell Phone/Pager Alkaline battery shell for HT 3 changes of batteries for alkaline shell Battery charger for HT/Cell Phone AC power supply for Mobile Transceiver With power cord and connectors Ready Kit

36. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Power 12V gel cell 75 A/H w/ charger or Vehicle w/ 12V battery & gas Extension cord and power strip w/adapters Ready Kit

37. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Administrative Supplies Personal Identification Drivers License EMA ARES/RACES ID Copy of Amateur Radio License Logs ICS Form 309 suggested Message Forms ARRL Radiograms ICS Form 213 (ICS Message Form) ARC Form 4612 (Message Form) ARC Form 2079I (DWI Form) Pens and Pencils Note pads Clipboard ARES/RACES documents Ready Kit

38. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Matches or lighter Whistle MDOT or City / County road map Sunglasses Emergency cash ($ 20.00 in bills/change) Sunscreen Insect repellent Ready Kit

39. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Clothing appropriate to the season Rain Gear (rain suit or poncho) Personal medications and hygiene items Food, nonperishable, adequate for 72 hours Water, total of 1 gallon / day minimum Small AA flashlight Spare batteries for flashlight Spare bulb for flashlight Ready Kit

40. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Spare eyeglasses Shelter, Space Blanket�, military poncho, or plastic trash bag, one man tent, etc. Sleeping bag Sleeping pad, closed cell foam Mess kit, military canteen w/cup, knife, fork and spoon Rope, 20 ft. nylon �flatline,� and 50 feet �parachute� cord Personal EPA rated water filter, purification tablets Ready Kit

41. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Folding cot Pillow Towels Battery or AC desk lamp Battery or windup clock Portable shack: Shelter tent Table & chair Ready Kit

42. Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit Supplies Personal Supplies Safety Equipment Reflective Vest Hard Hat Work Gloves Safety Boots Hearing Protection Goggles or Safety Glasses Particle Masks or Respirator Mask w/spare filters First Aid Kit Ready Kit

43. As you can see, the 24 hour suggested ready kit and the 72 hour suggested ready kit are a lot alike The main difference is that there is more in the 72 hour suggested ready kit Ready Kit

44. Maintenance of the Ready Kit The Ready Kit should be inspected quarterly Does all radio equipment work properly? Is all radio support equipment in good condition? Are rechargeable batteries properly charged? Rechargeable batteries will self discharge without use Are alkaline batteries within their wear out date? Are battery chargers and power supplies working properly? Are all tools in good condition and working? Is all safety gear in good repair? Are all personal items working, in good repair and within the wear out date? Are medications current and within code? Ready Kit

45. The Ready Kit Is all the equipment and supplies that an ARES emergency communicator would need to accomplish his or her deployed mission Is planned and packed in advance Varies with the assignment Is individually planned Reflects the needs and capabilities of the owner Should be adjusted as new needs are realized and new equipment and capabilities are added Ready Kit

46. The Ready Kit Can be used in emergency or non-emergency situations (such as public service events) Good to exercise your Ready Kit on a regular basis Should be maintained on a regular basis Quarterly is highly recommended Is an essential part of any emergency communicator�s response You can�t accomplish the mission without �the right stuff�. Is always flexible depending on the situation Ready Kit

47. Have fun planning and packing your Ready Kit! Presented By Maine ARES Ready Kit