PERSONAL GO-KIT FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

1. PERSONAL GO-KITFOREMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Dan O’Connor, KE7HLR EMCOMMWEST 2008 Reno, Nevada 1

2. Introduction This presentation is intended to get you thinking about your Go-Kit: • Why you need one. • What items you should put in it. • How you should divide it up for ease of transportation and for optimum utility. By giving you a view of my own Go-Kit, I hope to offer some suggestions for items you can include in your own kit. — 2

3. Overview • Mission of the Emergency Communicator • What is a Go-Kit? • Why you need a Go-Kit • Types of Go-Kits • A Look at KE7HLR’s Go-Kit • Wrap-Up • Sources for Further Information • Equipment Sources — 3

4. Mission of the Emergency Communicator Mission: Get every message you handle to its intended recipient—quickly, accurately, and with a minimum of fuss. Success: Requires that you employ your operational and technical skills at the highest level possible. Meaning: You must be adequately prepared to handle your assignment, so that you can keep focused on the job at hand. • • • 4

5. Mission of the Emergency Communicator Being prepared for an emcomm assignment involves a wide range of considerations, including: • Radio Equipment • Power Sources • Clothing and Personal Gear • Food and Water • Information • Specialized Training • • • 5

6. Mission of the Emergency Communicator Having your Go-Kit assembled ahead of time will help you be prepared when the call-out comes. Think through each probable assignment you might be faced with and plan your Go-Kit to meet the situations you might encounter. • • • 6

7. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters 7

8. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters • Earthquake 8

9. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters • Earthquake • Wildfire / Conflagration 9

10. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters • Earthquake • Wildfire / Conflagration • Severe Winter Storm 10

11. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters • Earthquake • Wildfire / Conflagration • Severe Winter Storm • Hurricane / Tornado 11

12. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents You may be called upon to assist with various disasters, incidents and events: • Natural Disasters • Earthquake • Wildfire / Conflagration • Severe Winter Storm • Hurricane / Tornado • Epidemic / Pandemic • • • 12

13. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents • Man-Made Incidents • Terrorist Attack • Mass Casualties • Search and Rescue • • 13

14. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents • Man-Made Incidents • Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups (most often in heavy fog) • Aircraft Crash • Train Derailment • Shipwreck / Oil Spill • Hazmat Incident • 14

15. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Incidents • Public Service Events • Races and Walk-a-thons • Parades and Celebrations • ARRL Field Day — 15

16. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Assignments You may be asked to assist with any of a number of assignments, from a variety of operating locations: • Base Station • Incident Command or other Fixed Command Post (Helibase, Staging Areas, etc.) • Emergency Operations Center • Hospital • At Home (HF Long-Haul Relay or Traffic Net) • • 16

17. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Assignments • Field-Portable Station • Field Command Post • Shelter • Aid or Rest Station • 17

18. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Types of Assignments • Mobile Station • Mobile Command Post • Shadow • Vehicle Ride-Along (Transport, SAG Wagon, etc.) • Relay Station (Manual Repeater) — 18

19. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Modes of Communications You may be asked to provide communications using a variety of modes: • Tactical Voice Communications (VHF/UHF FM) • Tactical Message Traffic (VHF/UHF Packet) • Live Video (Amateur Television) • Long-Haul Message Traffic (HF SSB Voice or CW) • Other Available Modes (Telephone, Fax,Agency Radio, Runner) — 19

20. Mission of the Emergency Communicator • Length of Assignment The length of time you are asked to assist will depend on the type and size of the incident and the number of Emergency Communicators available: • Short—A Few Hours to Less Than A Day • Overnight • Two to Three Days • Long-Duration—Greater than 72 Hours — 20

21. What is a Go-Kit? • Pre-staged collection of equipment and personal gear that you need to perform your duties as an Emergency Communicator. • Should be tailored to yourneeds, your equipment, expected assignments, and expected length of assignments. — 21

22. Why you need a Go-Kit • Your assignment location will probably be without power, heat, water, and telephone. Most businesses in the area will probably not be open, due to the emergency. • As an Emergency Communicator, YOU must provide your own Equipment and Gear. • YOU are responsible for your own Safety, Welfare and Comfort. • 22

23. Why you need a Go-Kit Building your Go-Kit now ensures that items you need are: • Available when you need them. • Where you expect them to be. When the Activation Call comes, you won’t have time to hunt for things! — 23

24. Types of Go-Kits Your Go-Kit should be tailored to your needs, your equipment, your expected assignments, and the expected length of assignments. Go-Kits should be broken-up into different types of kits, depending on function and location. • • • 24

25. Types of Go-Kits • Type by Function • Incident Type • Assignment or Mission • Length of Assignment • • • 25

26. Types of Go-Kits • Type by Location • Carried on Person • Carried in Vehicle • Cached at Fixed Location (Home, Office, etc.) • Non-Cached Equipment (gathered as needed) • • • 26

27. Types of Go-Kits • Modular Concept Ideally, your Go-Kit should be divided into small, easily-transportable modules. Modules should supplement each other with additional equipment and supplies, to extend your capabilities and endurance. • • • 27

28. Types of Go-Kits • Modular Concept • Basic Kits • Day Pack—Items needed for a short-duration or mobile/foot assignment. Keep in vehicle for immediate access. • 24-Hour Kit—Supplemental items needed for an overnight assignment. • 72-Hour Kit—Supplemental items needed for an extended assignment of up to 3 days. • • 28

29. Types of Go-Kits • Modular Concept • Specialty Kits • Office Kit—Paperwork and references that may be useful for managing a communications station. • Portable Radio Kit—the classic “Radio in a Briefcase”—for voice or packet. • Computer Kit—Notebook computer and interface equipment for packet. • Tool Kit—Tools and equipment needed for your radio station. • Antenna and Mast Kit—Portable antenna, mast, and tripod. • Emergency Power Equipment—Batteries, Generator, etc. • 29

30. Types of Go-Kits • Modular Concept • Miscellaneous • Additional Gear—Sleeping bag, tent, shade canopy, etc. • Vehicle Tool Kit—Equipment needed to keep your vehicle going. • Evacuation Kit—Food, water and equipment needed if it becomes necessary to evacuate from your current location. — 30

31. A Look Inside KE7HLR’s Go-Kit — 31

32. Day Pack Kept in my vehicle, ready for immediate use. 32

33. Day Pack • Radio, Handheld, 2m/70cm, w/ External Speaker/Microphone • Battery Pack, Rechargeable (2) • Battery Pack, AA • Battery Pack, 10 AA, w/ PowerPole connector • Spare Batteries • Cable, external 12Vdc power, w/ PowerPole connector • Cable, antenna adapter, SMA to SO-239 • • • 33

34. Day Pack • GPS Receiver • Spare Batteries • Binoculars, compact • Flashlight, high-intensity LED • Spare Batteries • ARES Field Resources Manual • GPS receiver quick reference guide • Maps, laminated • Multi-Tool, Leatherman • • • 34

35. Day Pack • Paper, waterproof notebook • Pen, rolling ball, blue (2) • Pen, Sharpie marker, black • Whistle • Cable Ties, nylon, asstd. • Rope, 1/8" nylon (50 ft) • • • 35

36. Day Pack Food and Water: • Money, $20 in $5’s and $10’s • Snacks (Almonds, trail mix, etc—rotate periodically to keep fresh) • Water, 0.5 L bottle (2) • • 36

37. Day Pack Clothing and Protective Gear: • Ear Plugs, disposable (2 pr) • Gloves, leather • Goggles, safety • Hat, roll-up • Dust Mask (2) • Outer Shirt, pullover, wind-resistant • Vest, safety, green w/ reflective stripes • 37

38. Day Pack Personal Items: • Eyeglasses, prescription • Contact Lens Solution • Contact Lens Case • Lip Balm • Hand Sanitizer, waterless • Prescription Meds (morning & evening doses) • Sunscreen • Personal First Aid Kit — 38

39. 24-Hour Kit Designed to supplement the Day Pack, this kit is also kept in my vehicle. • • • 39

40. 24-Hour Kit • Radio, Handheld, 2m (Backup HT) • Battery Pack, rechargeable (2) • Battery Pack, AA • Spare Batteries • Cable, packet interface, w/ mic. adapter • Charger, w/ PowerPole connector (use with cable from Day Pack or Office Kit) • • 40

41. 24-Hour Kit • Blanket, nylon, fleece-lined • Cup, steel • Poncho, nylon • Hand Towel and Washcloth • Bag, Trash, 33 gal. (2) • Bag, Ziploc, asstd. • Toilet Tissue, roll • Towelette, hand sanitizer, pack • 41

42. 24-Hour Kit Food and Water: • Meal, Ready-to-Eat, w/ MRE Heater (3) • Water, 0.5 L bottle (8) — 42

43. 72-Hour Kit Designed to supplement the Day Pack and 24-Hour Kit. I keep this Kit at home, but otherwise ready to go. • • • 43

44. 72-Hour Kit • Blanket, microfiber • Lantern, LED • Spare Batteries • Sewing kit, personal • Towel, bath • Bag, Trash, 33 gal. (2) • Bag, Ziploc, asstd. • Batteries, AA (48) • Batteries, AAA (16) • • • 44

45. 72-Hour Kit • Dust Mask (2) • Rope, 1/8" nylon (100 ft) • Toilet Tissue (2 rolls) • Towelette, hand sanitizer, pack • Utensils, disposable plastic (6 sets) Food and Water: • Meal, Ready-to-Eat, w/ MRE Heater (6) • Water, 0.5 L bottle (18) • • • 45

46. 72-Hour Kit Clothing: • Sandals, shower • Shirt, short sleeve (4) • Shirt and Trousers, sweat-suit • Socks, athletic, cotton, (3 pr) • Socks, boot (2 pr) • Trousers, hiking shorts • Trousers, rip-stop cotton (2) • Underwear (3) • Underwear, thermal • • 46

47. 72-Hour Kit Personal Items: • Comb • Dental Floss and Dental Picks • Ear Plugs, disposable (5 pr) • Lip Balm • Antiperspirant • Hand Sanitizer, waterless • Sunscreen • Prescription Meds (3 daily doses) • Mirror, 3" x 5" • 47

48. 72-Hour Kit Personal Items (Continued): • Mouthwash • Shampoo • Soap, bath • Swabs, cotton • Toothbrush • Toothpaste • Contact Lenses, disposable • First Aid Kit — 48

49. Office Kit This kit, carried in my vehicle, contains operational references, office supplies, and a supply of forms. • • • 49

50. Office Kit • Charger Stand for HT • Cable, HT external 12Vdc power, w/ PowerPole connector • Charger, w/ PowerPole connector • Radio, FRS/GMRS w/ External Headset • Spare Batteries • • • 50