Go Kits

You are encouraged to have go kits - Yes - plural because no one go kit will be correct for every situation. For example (what will be described here) you should have
- A Personal Preparedness Kit - What you will need to support yourself.
- A Radio Go Kit - What radios and equipment you need to provide the communications support you're suppose to deliver.

Then there are different levels of Go Kits depending on how long your deployment is expected to last
- A Go Kit for short term (2-6 hours) deployments
- Go Kits for longer term (12-24 hours) deployments
- Go Kits for long term (24-72+ hours) deployments

The following are only suggested lists - you should customize your go kits for your needs and the situations you may face. There's also a lot of detail that is not given, particularly regarding what you should have for power supply - there's lots of options and you have to research and decide for yourself what works best for you.

All Go Kits should have the following:

• Current Spokane ACS-FOG

• Copies of ICS-213, ICS-213RR, ICS-214a, ICS-309, and other applicable forms.

• Notepad / pens/pencils

• Cell phone

• Emergency contact information card

• Flashlight (LED)

• First Aid kit

• Safety vest, ANSI standard (high visibility yellow)

• Appropriate PPE (Eye and Ear protection, Gloves, Whistle, etc.) and clothing for the weather

• Water and Food (energy bars, granola, etc.)

• Personal Items (medications, money, insurance cards (copies), faith declaration, etc.)

• Smartphone apps: Locate and download apps that can help while away from home, such as, maps, conversions, Field Operating Guides (FOG), EchoLink, etc.

The Short Term Go Kit (2-6 hours)

This Go Kit is designed for those events where you know you'll be out only for a few hours - Fun Runs, Parades, etc. You won't need a lot of equipment and you may have to move around - so a back pack or small bag is perfect.

• 2m/70cm dual-band radio

  • HT recommended (min. 5W on 12V/2.5W on battery)

  • Mobile 25W optional (if vehicle will not be far away)

  • Programmed with per-designated Net frequencies

• Charged batteries for 2-3 hours operation

• Disposable batteries

• 2m/70cm dual-band mobile antenna

  • (mag mount, window mount or existing mobile antenna)

• HT antenna/power adapters (cigarette, Powerpoles, etc.)

• HT Speaker/Mic and Earphone

• Radio user manuals

• Current ICS-205 Communications Plan

Longer Term (12-24 hours) Go Kits

These Go Kits are designed for those events where you you're out for an extended period of time but you know you'll be relieved and be able to go home to sleep, clean up and replenish before going back out.

• Radio Equipment

  • Portable Equipment - Basically the same as for the short term kit but with enough power supply for the full deployment

  • Digital Equipment - For Winlink/FLDigi operations

    • Laptop with software installed

    • USB thumb drive with current ICS-205, ACS-FOG, ICS-213, ICS-214, ICS-309, and other applicable software/ applications

    • Digital Interface (Sound card/TNC, software, radio)

    • Cables: TNC to radio; TNC to PC

    • Shade cover for display

    • Power supply

  • Mobile Equipment - When more power is needed

  • Antenna - When the rubber ducky antenna doesn't work, you need to have a better/higher antenna to hear and be heard.

• Tools - For when you need to adapt or repair in the field

  • Duct tape

  • Electrical tape

  • Nylon Tie-Wraps/wire ties

  • Velcro Ties

  • Utility knife

  • Small multi-tool or tool kit

  • Volt-Ohm meter

  • SWR/Power meter if available

  • Antenna analyzer if available

• Operating Environment - to establish an environment where you can work effectively

  • Lighting for operating position

  • Rope or Dacron cord (50’)

  • Folding chair

  • Folding table

  • Pop-up Canopy

  • Tarp (8’ by 8’ or larger)

  • Folding cart

  • Caution/flagging tape (to mark cables, guy ropes, etc.)

  • Safety cones (to mark cable, tripod, etc.)

Long Term (24-72+ hours) Go Kits

It's the end of the world and you can't go home - Think being deployed to support Katrina in New Orleans or Helene in the Carolinas.

The equipment will not be much different from the previous Go Kits but with the caveat that you will need to keep the gear running for days, so looking at power supplies that last that long - i.e., generators and solar panels.

The other important area of preparedness is your personal support items - you can function in a single change of cloths for 24 hours but 7 days, not so much. So, plan for

• Clothing

• Personal hygiene

• Food (including comfort food)

• Water

• Sleeping

• Shelter

Mental health is a very important consideration. You might think that you won't be affected by what's happening around you - but you will. Watch out for your co-workers and yourself. Take a breather. Rest whenever you can. Eat on a regular schedule. Stay hydrated. And don't hesitate to admit when things are getting to be too much - we all have limits and you won't help the situation by pushing beyond yours.