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

Ready Kit What is a Ready Kit? What is a Ready Kit? –Simply defined it’s  All the equipment and supplies that an ARES emergency communicator would need to accomplish his or her deployed mission

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”).

The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a 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?

The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a 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?

The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a 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?

The Ready Kit Things to consider in preparing a 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

Ready Kit Have your 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”

Ready Kit There is no stock or standard 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

Ready Kit The Ready Kit includes four basic categories The Ready Kit includes four basic categories –Communications Equipment –Tools –Power –Supplies  Administrative  Personal

Ready Kit Communications Equipment 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

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

Power Power –AC Power Supplies  With power cords (with adapters) –Battery Chargers –Batteries –Generators  Extension Cords (with adapters) –Alternate power sources  Wind  Water  Solar

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

Ready Kit Supplies 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 Supplies 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

Ready Kit Supplies 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

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

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

Supplies 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

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 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 Have What You Need With You Ready Kit

The following are examples of suggested Ready Kits The following are examples of suggested Ready Kits Remember, the Ready Kit is a personal thing 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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 24 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

Example of a 72 Hour Ready Kit 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

As you can see, the 24 hour suggested ready kit and the 72 hour suggested ready kit are a lot alike 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

Maintenance of the Ready Kit 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

The Ready Kit 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

The Ready Kit 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

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