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Disaster Survival Skills for the Urban Environment - CharlesHarris - 23 September 2013 In the US communities in the Washington, DC have been conducting this type of training for municipal employees and Citizens Corps Groups. The .ppt presentation may be downloaded at following link: http://www.w4ava.org/races/KKauxcomm33.htm This student's outline, is taken from the .ppt slides: OBJECTIVES: Why teach “survival” in the city? Catastrophes vs. disasters This is about your family SURVIVAL, not volunteering Priorities for human survival Break-out sessions: Shelter construction Fire making Signaling Equipment and supplies Social implications of disasters Personal security concerns Disaster V. Catastrophe Disasters are short term “Make do for 3-4 days until help arrives…” Catastrophic events are long term Katrina-scale hurricane, tsunami, earthquake Major terror attack, nuclear detonation, dirty bomb No help is coming soon, “you are on your own” Why? Complete loss of civil infrastructure Minimal or no police, fire or EMS response No electricity, municipal water, communications Transport of fuel / food is severely impaired Public safety agencies will be overwhelmed Recovery is long term (over 30 days) What our military survival schools teach: Seven Priorities For Survival "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst” Positive mental attitude First Aid / Sanitation Shelter Signaling Fire Water Food Situational awareness, basic knowledge and a “survivor’s mindset” enable you to cope effectively STOP Calm down, and size up your situation… THINK Anticipate which hazards are most likely Take stock of materials and resources around you OBSERVE Orient yourself to your surroundings PLAN Select equipment and supplies appropriately ACT! Execute your plan, evaluate progress, adjust, "carry on." PREPAREDNESS Have an evacuation kit ready at all times Don't presume that a disaster will be short-term Pack essentials first, then consider comfort items In real emergences, forget last-minute purchases Plan for more supplies than you “think” you may need Inspect / renew your supplies each spring and fall Provide entertainment for young children. SIX STEPS TO PROBLEM SOLVING Size Up Your Situation Determine Objectives (stay or evacuate?) Identify Resources (either stored supplies or salvaged materials from your surroundings) Evaluate Options (use the safest way) Plan (use your head) Act...Improvise and overcome FIRST AID AND SANITATION Maintain personal and family health Prompt treatment reduces infection risk Sanitation reduces risk of disease vectors Water borne illnesses, diarrhea Major cause of dehydration Increases your survivability! Disaster Injury Risk Factors: Tool / equipment hazards, risk of hand, eye, head injuries, electric shock, chemical burns Human factors, stress / fatigue Structural instability Trauma risk, falls, building collapse potential Terrain, loose rock, fallen limbs, wet or insecure footing, risk of falls, puncture wounds and lacerations from debris. Disaster Contamination: Stagnant surface water Mosquito breeding Contaminated flood waters Sewage treatment system overflow Petroleum, industrial, agricultural chemical contamination Airborne contaminant plumes Smoke, dust, toxic gases or radioactive fallout. SHELTER Protection from the elements Wind and rain resistant Insulation from cold The “Stay or Evacuate” Decision If evacuation is not mandatory, the same safety rules for entering a structure apply to using your home as shelter DO NOT OCCUPY IF: There is structural damage (6 sides of the “box” are not plumb) Utilities cannot be controlled Structure was damaged in a fire DO NOT occupy a floor that has been flooded, micotoxins from molds are respiratory hazard! EVACUATION PLANNING Best to relocate with friends or relatives outside of affected area Don't rely on government-run shelters They are an “option of last resort” for those unable to evacuate Evacuation route selection is important Make sure your vehicle can carry essentials A huge “bug-out” vehicle is a handicap on crowded roads It uses more fuel, which may be expensive / scarce in an emergency. Don't plan on fuel being available en route In normal times always keep your gas tank at least half full Upon warning an event is imminent, conserve fuel, keep tank ¾ full Carry extra fuel containers outside the vehicle EVACUATE OR STAY? Conclusion from FEMA Urban-Rural Evacuation State Planners Workshop Sept. 2006 Given: ● Population of the DC Metro area ● Propensity to self-evacuate, overwhelmingly by automobile ● Wide distribution of evacuation destinations, ● Perceived vulnerability to terror attack, and anticipation of multiple attacks Result: ● A large-scale, chaotic mass self-evacuation should be anticipated. Nuclear Detonation – 10-Kiloton Improvised Nuclear Device http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/21872/DayAfterWorkshopReport.pdf Contamination from a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) would cover up to a few hundred acres with low-level radioactive material; http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/dirtybombs.pdf A nuclear detonation would affect large areas (10-100 sq. miles) damaged by direct effects and 100s to 1,000s of sq. miles with radioactive fallout. http://www.nti.org/e_research/cnwm/overview/technical3.asp?print=true Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) – a terrorist attack would most likely be a small device <10 kilotons yield, EMP effect of a ground burst would be mostly within the Moderate Damage Radius, but also propagated by conductors such as power and telephone lines, railroad tracks, pipelines, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse EVACUATION Feasible only if all personnel can evacuate before fallout contamination arrives and; Essential functions for Continuity of Operations are transferred to an alternate facility Affected area would have to be small and warning time adequate to execute the evacuation Detonation effects (blast/thermal/EMP) will likely impede evacuation Evacuees may be exposed and/or contaminated. SHELTER IN PLACE Critical facilities that cannot evacuate (hospitals, EOCs) must continue to operate Necessary if fallout/contamination would arrive before evacuation can be completed Fallout Shelters will be needed to protect against high level radiation/detonation Shelter-in-place (not necessarily Fallout Shelter) near RDD/very low level Shelter stay may range from a few days to 2 weeks. Authorities outside affected area can organize rescue/evacuation effort Shelter occupants may be exposed and/or contaminated. SHELTER IN PLACE - Continued Necessary if operations can not be transferred or if staff, patients or clients cannot evacuate Necessary if needed to support operations of other response agencies Must have Radiological Monitoring & Exposure Control capabilities Critical Facilities may be used to shelter families of the staff Critical Facilities will not be used to shelter the general public. DECONTAMINATION after a flood or attack start immediately, even if you don’t know what the agent is. Sandia decontamination foam (US Patent 6,566,574 B1) sold as Scott's Liquid Gold Mold Control 500 in most hardware stores. Is effective against most chemical and biological agents, including nerve, blister, anthrax, SARS, Norwalk, avian and common flu. Widely used for hospital /hotel sanitization mold remediation in commercial buildings, cleaning / neutralizing agricultural sprayers. Moderate cost, about $30 at Home Depot to treat 1000sf. http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/moldcontrol.html EXPEDIENT FIELD DECONTAMINATION If you are contaminated: Remove everything, including jewelry Cut off clothing normally removed over the head Place contaminated clothing in plastic bag, tie closed Wash your hands before using them to shower DECONTAMINATION - Continued Flush entire body with cool water Blot dry with absorbent cloth Put on clean clothes Avoid use of affected areas, to prevent re-exposure If professional help arrives, report to responders for thorough decontamination and medical assessment. NUCLEAR ATTACK ISSUES: Structural damage to shelter from nearby detonation Fire in the shelter Dangerously high radiation levels Severely high temperatures and humidity Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide imbalance in the shelter Depletion of essential supplies Disease and injury Unrest, anxiety, crime or defiance of order or authority Time - Fallout radiation intensity decays rapidly; 90% in just the first 7 hours. The less time you spend in a radiation field, the less dose received. Distance - The farther you are from a source, the less dose you receive. Shielding - Denser (heavier, massive) materials absorb more radiation. Greater thickness of any given material absorbs more radiation. Protection Factors & Mass of Materials *PF = “Protection Factor” refers to the ratio between the radiation dose rate of the OUTSIDE to that INSIDE the shelter, for instance a PF = 10 means that the inside dose rate is 1/10th the outside rate. How Much Protection? PF* Lead Steel Concrete Earth Water Wood 2 .3"" .7" 2.0" 3.3" 5" 9" 4 .5" 1.5" 5.0" 7.0" 10" 15" 8 1.0" 2.0" 6.5" 10.0" 15" 27" 16 1.2" 3.0" 9.0" 14.0" 20" 3 ft 32 1.5" 4.0" 12.0" 15.0" 2 ft 4 ft 64 2.0" 4.2" 13.2" 19.8" 2.5ft 4.5 ft 128 2.1" 5.0" 15.0" 2 ft 3 ft 5 ft 1000 3.0" 7.0" 22.0" 33.0" 4 ft - 2000 3.3" 7.7" 2 ft 3 ft 4.5 ft - Outside radiation, divided by the Protection Factor, is reduced in proportion. For example, if the outside radiation rate is 1,000 R/hr, a person shielded by 3 ft. of earth would receive a dose rate of .5 R/hr. but a person shielded by 1 ft of earth would receive about 10 R/hr. Sheltering at Home During an Emergency For using a building without working utilities as shelter Exhaust – candles, camp stoves, lanterns, generators, heaters, charcoal grills, all generate carbon monoxide and must not be used indoors! Open flame – above ignition sources must never be left unattended! Fuel – most of the above require flammable fuels to operate, which must be stored outdoors. Use Fire Marshal approved fuel containers Improvised Emergency Shelters As in all real estate, most important is location: Avoid low spots with poor drainage Seek a gently sloped area so that surface water drains away Sheltered from prevailing winds Away from bodies of water (attracts insects and animals) Insulated from direct contact with ground, rock, or concrete, which conducts away body heat. Avoid as shelter: Areas around downed utility lines In or near culverts Within the “collapse zone” of a damaged building (maintain 2:1 ratio of distance away to building height) Improvised Shelters: Sheds Tents Tarps Vehicles Don’t disable a good car! Remove car batteries to power communications and shelter lighting only from cars that do not start If a car starts reserve it for emergency evacuation, or Use it as a “battery charger” Salvage lighting, remove dome lights, tail lights, trunk lights, etc. & with at least 36” of wires. Position batteries in shelter; attach wires & lights As batteries discharge, replace with new batteries or recharge batteries. Emergency Shelter Materials: Salvage building materials from debris or from damaged structures only when it can be done safely TYVEK building wrap Plastic sheeting Roofing paper and shingles Siding, plywood Chain link fence Lumber Carpeting Wire, rope, and fasteners Build Your Shelter In Layers Structural framing: lumber, plywood, fencing, metal Fasteners: reinforce structural connections with nails, wire or rope ties, wooden spikes Water and wind proofing: TYVEK, plastic sheeting, tarp, shingles, roofing paper Insulation: drywall, leaves, tree branches, carpeting, (may also be used as ballast to hold water/wind proofing layer in place) SIGNALLING Day: Mirror flashes – best daylight signal device Smoke Brightly colored cloth flag / panel (VS-17) ICAO surface-to-air signals V Require assistance X Need medical assistance Y Yes - affirmative N No - negative → I am proceeding in this direction Night: Flashing strobe light Fire Signal flares Sound, i.e. whistle, siren, vehicle horn FIRE: Maintains body temperature Great morale booster Deters wild animals and insects Boils water Cooks food Used as day (smoke) or night (light) signal FIRE MAKING METHODS Matches or lighter Flint and steel (Doan Machinery Corp. Fire Starter) Use cotton ball and petroleum jelly as tinder Battery and steel wool Fresnel lens WATER SUPPLY Minimum for drinking 1 gallon per person, per day More water is needed for Cooking and food preparation Personal hygiene, sanitation and decontamination Store a two week supply as minimum Food grade containers with screw caps Away from direct sunlight EMERGENCY WATER SOURCES Captive water in household hot water tank and interior plumbing is OK Filter cloudy water to remove particulates, using an EPA-rated filter with a pore size ≤ 1 micron, then: Disinfect with Clorox (6% sodium hypochlorite) add 8 drops of Chlorox bleach per gallon if clear, 16 drops if cloudy, let water stand 15 minutes before use Or boil vigorously for 15 minutes Store potable water in clean containers. All natural sources (from springs, ponds, rivers or streams) must be boiled or chemically disinfected. Chemical disinfection or boiling - Kills bacteria and viruses Doesn’t remove particulates or chemical pollutants Filtration - Coffee filters, etc. remove gross particulates only EPA-rated filters (pore size smaller than 1 micron) are needed to remove bacteria, viruses and Giardia cysts, but don’t remove chemical pollutants. Distillation is the most effective method. FOOD Lowest of the seven survival priorities Need is mostly mental, because we are used to eating regularly Healthy people will do OK without food for a week or more, if they are well hydrated Balanced nutrition is a important health factor for elderly and infants. SHELF LIFE OF FOOD STORED IN THE HOME Food in a refrigerator is safe for a day after the power goes off, either use it in 24 hours or throw it away Frozen food is safe if there are still ice crystals, once thawed, cook and consume it within 24 hours Next use non-perishables and dry staples Canned foods are best for long term storage (up to 4 years) but are heavy to transport and bulky to store Dry packaged foods are easiest to transport Choose foods requiring minimal preparation Eat at least one balanced meal daily Include nutritional supplements in supplies Drink enough water. EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIES MREs, or Heater Meals® Prepared survival rations Primitive survival methods: Fishing Hunting Trapping Foraging TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Folding utility knife or multi-tool Scout type, Leatherman®, Swiss Army or Mil-K-818 Manual can opener, if not on utility knife Sturdy fixed blade, such as 5" Mil. Aircrew Survival Knife For chopping, digging, or as pry bar Shovel, Gerber field spade or similar Hand saw, #7947 Fiskars Woodzig Pruning Saw, folding 10" Axe ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES Each person should have their own backpack of personal essentials Flashlight Portable radio Extra batteries First Aid Kit, (containing a first aid manual) Personal medications and sanitation supplies Cooking and eating utensils Wool blanket or sleeping bag for each person Sturdy shoes and extra socks Rain gear Change of warm clothing and underwear Items for special needs, care of infants DISASTER FINANCIAL PLANNING http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/FinPlan/ Electronic transactions, account verifications may be impossible Evacuate with enough cash for at least two weeks of essentials Carry account numbers, contact addresses and telephone numbers for all important persons and institutions Helping one's unprepared friends and neighbors may prove expensive! SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DISASTERS Cumulative psychological effects upon survivors Evacuate or Stay? – Do you have a plan? Where will you go? Is it safe to travel? Can you REALLY get there? Do you have enough resources to make it work? Warn friends not to invite others to come and evacuate with them They’ll overwhelm your limited resources! Never allow family members to be separated Even if it means waiting for later rescue and/or evacuation The well prepared may be threatened by those who weren't – get to know your neighbors NOW for a safer community later in case of a disaster Make plans to ensure neighborhood security/family protection Post a guard in rotating shifts, to deter roving criminals or looters Keep firearms and ammunition safely secured Take a home firearms safety-protection course Lessons from Hurricane Katrina When help arrives, you may get it “…….whether you want it or not.” Don't believe that all rescuers will respect your property Relief workers from other States often don't know local laws Relief organizations have their own bureaucratic requirements that may conflict with your needs Expect frustration over lack of communication and empathy by rescuers and local/State government. COURSE SUMMARY: Positive attitude – Stop Think Observe Plan First Aid / Sanitation – Maintain proper hygiene, preserve family health, prevent illness or injury Shelter – Protection from environmental hazards - use Time, Distance, Shielding Signaling / Communication- be heard / seen Fire – Warmth, light, food prep, water sterilization Water – Prevent water-borne illnesses through filtration, chemical sterilization, boiling or distillation Food – Eat at least one balanced meal daily, drink enough water, include nutritional supplements Equipment- Flashlight, knife, saw, axe, shovel Planning – Prepare a Kit, Make A Plan! http://www.Ready.gov For further information: http://www.fema.gov/txt/library/f&web.txt http://www.vaemergency.com/prepare/planning/index.cfm http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/housing/356-479/356-479.html http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/psa/riskmgt/disastersupplies.htm http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/community_development/disaster_preparedness.html http://www.dougritter.com/home.htm http://www.cityofmemphis.org/pdf_forms/dirtyBlast.pdf http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/dirtybombs.asp http://www.oism.org/nwss/s73p926.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_skills Acknowledgements: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Arlington County Fire & Rescue Department Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Huntsville-Madison County, Alabama, EMA Doug Ritter Derek Rowan Steve Willey University of Florida IFAS Extension Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Department of Health RE: Disaster Survival Skills for the Urban Environment - Highlander - 23 September 2013 A very detailed list,.. but very little mention of clothing, other than listed under `essential supplies`, I would have thought that in your climate it may have had a more detailed section. What are the Citizen corp groups? RE: Disaster Survival Skills for the Urban Environment - CharlesHarris - 23 September 2013 These links for fully describe Citizen Corps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Corps http://www.ready.gov/citizen-corps http://www.dhs.gov/citizen-corps http://www.policevolunteers.org/news/citizenCorps.pdf Citizens Corps has replaced the old Civil Defense structure which began during WW2 and continued through the Cold War. Post 9/11 it was felt necessary to provide national standards for training and coordination of the various volunteer public safety auxiliaries, and non-governmental organizations. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are trained in search & rescue, first aid, and light fire fighting. Teams are usually administered by the local office of emergency managment. Some localities have a separate auxiliary Fire Corps, whereas in other areas CERT and Fire Corps are combined. Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service are trained and coordinated by local law enforcement to assist in conducting neighborhood canvasses, health and welfare checks, disseminating emergency information to the public, as well as assisting in traffic control and security. Medical Reserve Corps works with the Public Health system, assisting with patient intake and data entry, shelter management, medical logistics and transportation. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a civilian auxiliary for the Office of Emergency Management, Police, Fire and Public Health communications centers. In most areas amateur radio service equipment and modes are used to provide voice, data and imaging. In the Washington, DC Operational Region, volunteer communications unit personnel undergo additional training and background checks and are trained and certified to use the public safety communications and dispatching systems, including the WebEOC incident management software. Clothing, supplies and equipment are covered in detail in various manuals and handouts. I'll post come checklists which might be helpful. Appendix 3 – Version 1.7 Rev. 20 Jul06 Arlington County, Virginia Personal Equipment Checklist For a 12-Hour Operational Period In the Urban Environment Bold Items Required – Others optional - recommended Carry Always In Coat / Vest / Cargo Pockets:  Medical ALERT Info and ICE Contact Card  Drivers license, RACES ID and FCC license copy  Wear your name tag on outer garment  CASH – $5 coins for phone calls, vending, etc.  WATER – 2 pints on your person is minimum  SNACKS – you’ll be out there for 12 hours  PERSONAL MEDICATIONS for 24 hours  SANITATION / COMFORT ITEMS; sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, Chapstick, etc.  Scout knife or Multi-tool, Leatherman, etc.  Pocket / Backup AA flashlight +extra batteries  Whistle – Fox 40 or ACR (distress signal)  Compass, orienteering type on cord  Arlington Police Dept. (ADC) sector map book  USGS 7.5 Minute topo (24,000 scale) if assigned to a SAR or CERT search team  VDOT Official Virginia road map  Bandanna, bright color also serves as flag signal  Extra reading glasses, if you use them Personal Protective Equipment (in pack)  Safety glasses, ANSI Z87.1-1989  N95 mask, disposable, single-use  Reflective vest  Work gloves  FIRST AID KIT, includes medical exam gloves  Primary flashlight, or headlamp, for searches  Extra set of batteries + bulb for search light  Hardhat + CERT equipment, – if your assignment Clothing – Worn  Sunglasses – 97% UV protection  Boots, ankle support, traction sole  Hat (Sun / Rain protective) Extra Clothing – Carried (in pack)  Rain gear or poncho  Wool / fleece warming layer for expected weather  Extra dry socks, in Ziploc bag so they will stay dry Communications: □ Text Pager or cell phone capable of receiving SMS □ Cell phone mobile charger (or extra battery pack) □ 2 meter portable, ≥5w, w/ CTCSS + 10 memories □ Extra battery pack(s) or AA battery case for HT(s) □ Dual-band or separate 220 or 440 or GMRS HT, ≥ 2w □ Quick reference guide for each transceiver carried □ Headset or earphone for HT □ Speaker-microphone □ Unity gain antenna and counterpoise for 2m HT □ SLA battery of 1ah / watt of TX output for HT / or mobile □ External power cord for HT and / or mobile radio □ Coax+mast+adapters to elevate mobile ant. 15 ft. □ Packet or HF equipment, IF that’s your assignment Forms pack: □ Notebook, pencil, pen, felt tip or grease pencil, and: □ ICS 309 Log Forms (3) □ ICS 213 Message Forms (10) □ ICS 201 or OP Brief form (1) □ ACS-RACES Quick Reference (1) 24 hours - Emergency Supplies – Store In vehicle:  COMPLETE CHANGE of dry clothes: shirt, trousers, socks, shoes, and underwear  Extra drinking water to total one gallon  Extra food for three meals, balanced nutrition  Personal meds, hygiene, sanitation supplies  Blanket (or sleeping bag)  Duct tape – multiple uses, emergency repairs  Tent or tarp for rain / sun / wind shelter  Tow strap or chain with hooks  Tools: standard and Phillips screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, side-cutting pliers, shovel, hand saw or axe.  Flares or reflectors  Fire extinguisher - multi-rated dry chemical Pre-Deployment Checklist PRE-DEPLOYMENT ACTIONS:  Ensure that emergency notification procedures within your agency are current.  Ensure you are clear on travel and pickup arrangements established for you.  Review your assignment. Know to whom you will report and your responsibility.  Determine emergency communications procedures to ensure that you can contact your control point if necessary.  Recheck personal equipment and items that you will need for at least seven days.  Ensure that family members know your destination and how to contact you in the event of a family emergency. (Have family contact County EOC and request ACS. radio desk).  Update ICE contact list  Brief dependents and ICE contacts  Update Family Emergency Communication / Evacuation Plan  Notify Business Partners (Meetings, Location, POC)  Advise your unit leader of any physical or personal limitations that you may have.  DO NOT respond if you are ill or sick.  DO NOT accept an assignment that exceeds your personal limitations or abilities. BATTERIES:  Fully Charge all personal electronic devices prior to packing  Two sets of spare batteries for all portable devices, flashlights, 2-way radio, etc.  Rechargeable battery packs for 2-way radio, etc.  AA battery cases for 2-way radio, etc.  AC wall chargers for all rechargeable devices CLOTHING:  Deployment utility coveralls  Full change of clothes (suitable for expected weather during deployment days) o Two sets trousers (utility BDU and casual jeans / chinos) o Two sets of socks, (work-utility wool outer , polypro liner, casual athletic) o Two sets of underwear (utility Coolmax and casual cotton/poly) o Two outer shirts (utility BDU and casual knit polo) o Windbreaker (casual) o Long sleeve tank tops (work-utility) o T-shirts, (casual cotton/poly) o Walking / athletic shoes (casual for off-duty / rest/ rehab periods) o Work boots (safety / rescue and utility) o Extra gloves – your primaries WILL get trashed (rescue and utility) o Headwear (boonie sun protection/ ANSI Helmet / “dew rag”) o Eye Glasses (ANSI-rated safety/utility, UV protective/sun and reading) o Foul weather gear, full wind / rain suit, and polypro fleece liner o Wool blend sweater or fleece pile jacket as an extra warming layer o Blanket, wool, sealed watertight with duct tape in a garbage bag o Sleeping bag+fleece washable liner, + foam sleeping pad and carry bag o Belts (Rescue/utility and casual ) o Spare shoe laces, (casual, and utility) COMFORT ITEMS:  Personal Hygiene Kit o Toothpaste o Toothbrush o Mouthwash o Dental floss o Disposable razor(s) o Soap o Salt Tablets o Baby wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer o Towel o Lip Balm/Sunscreen o Mentholatum o Insect repellent  Watch  Personal sleep gear o Pillow o Ear plugs  Snacks, hard candy, chewing gum, beef jerky, power bars, etc.  Off-duty reading material, iPod, playing cards etc. COMMUNICATIONS:  Writing implements (see Writing below)  ICS Forms pack, job aids and operating references  Cell Phone, or other personal wireless devices capable of SMS  Mobile chargers + AC wall transformers for cell phone, 2-way, laptop, GPS, etc.  Packet radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC)  Laptop computer with imaging, damage assessment and communications software  Portable amateur VHF/UHF transceiver  Marine portable VHF (waterways and coastal areas)  GMRS or agency assigned radio  Unity gain dual-band VHF/UHF mobile antenna with magnetic mount, 18 ft. of RG8X coax and adapters  17ah gel cell battery, power cord and wall charger to power portable VHF/UHF, laptop and packet TNC  HF-SSB radio, deep cycle batteries, power supply, antenna, if your assignment CURRENCY:  Cash, enough for return tank of gas, laundromat, three meals + a motel overnight  Change ($5 stacked in a 35mm film can, for pay phones and vending)  Credit or ATM cards(s) ELECTRONICS:  AM/FM portable radio w/ earpiece  Pocket voice recorder  External power cords, power supplies and adapters for all telecomm and navigation devices, laptop, TNC, 2-way radio, GPS, etc. EMERGENCY and MEDICAL  Personal emergency strobe (on vest)  Fox 40 or ACR whistle (distress signal)  Vaccination card  Emergency Contact List (ICE)  Doctors Contact Information  Dentist Contact Information  Eye Specialist Information  List of dependents Phone Numbers  Medications – two week supply in original containers with Rx labels FOOD, WATER and COOKING:  Food, non-perishable, min. 3 day supply, six Heatermeals or MREs + snacks  2 quart canteens, with metal cup, and nesting warming stand (on person)  Eating utensils, knife-fork-spoon  Immersion cup heater  2.5 gallon of extra drinking water container(s) (in vehicle)  6 boxes (18) Trioxane fuel bars or Esbit solid fuel tabs and waterproofed matches  EPA rated personal water filter  Water purification tablets  Hydration pack of 70 oz. minimum capacity IDENTIFIC ATION  Drivers License  Agency ID  Deployment ID  Gear tags  ANSI Type II Reflective vest LIGHTING:  PETZL or Princeton Tec LCD Headlamp  Spare bulbs (LCD/Strobe/Flashlight)  12V Flood / spot search light  Map / Radio Position Reading Lamp  Chem-stick Lights PACK:  Two Rubbermaid Brute containers to securely hold all of this stuff in your vehicle  SAR / CERT pack with technical rescue gear, if that is your assignment  Rucksack, MOLLE or lumbar pack for daily carry during an operational period PPE:  Personal First Aid Kit  Safety glasses  Hard hat  Six N-95 disposable masks  ANSI type II reflective vest  Gloves, rescue (mechanic’s) and work utility  Works boots should have safety toe and traction sole  Wildfire Emergency Pop-Up Shelter NAVIGATION:  GPS w/ topo interface  Compass  Topo maps, + ADC road atlas SIGNALLING:  Smoke canisters  Fox-40 whistle  Mil . Signal Mirror TOOLS AND SHARPS:  Leatherman\  Adjustable wrench  Side cutting pliers  Screwdriver handle and bits  Soldering kit  K-Bar  Rescue utility tool  Folding saw or axe  E-tool UTILITY:  Sewing Kit o Buttons, o Needles, thread, o Straight pins o Safety pins o Iron-on repair tape  ZipLock bags, 2 each, quart, gallon  Zip ties  Duct tape  Backfire (railroad) flares  Duct Tape  Shelter Tarp  Traige / flagging tape  Spray Paint (Orange/Green/Yellow highway marking type) WRITING:  Notebook  Pens (all weather)  Pencils  Grease pencils or Map Markers  Map / Sheet protectors  Stamps  Postcards  Envelopes You are responsible for making sure your current CPR (current for one year) and First Aid (current for three years) and driving/professional license information is provided to me and kept up-to-date. If you are not current, you cannot go. Additionally, expect to have the requirement of IS-100 and -200, Incident Command, as a requirement, if you are requested for a Federal deployment. You might as well take them now, if you have not already. IS-700 and -800 is NIMS and National Response Plan. It will be worth your while to get those because, coming soon, our EM roster will require it at the local level. > * You are responsible for providing up-to-date emergency contact information to the activating agencyr. You are responsible for providing your deployment availability dates up the chain of command via email or phone when requested at Level II. You are responsible for notifying your unit leader immediately if your availability changes. If you and your spouse are enrolled and prefer to deploy together, please compare schedules before advising your availability. ACS-RACES uses the Arlington Alert “all call” email blast. You reply either you can can or can't go. Advise your unit leader of changes in your phone number(s) for the ALL CALL system and current email address for the CEM list. Because of the urgency of finding volunteers to deploy during a disaster (local or national), please do not keep your recruiter tied up on the phone. If you are unavailable to go on an assignment, that is certainly understandable, however, we need to move on to the next call immediately. When the ALL CALL is activated, you are responsible for deciding if you can or can't go. IF you can go, simply follow the instructions. If you can't go, do NOTHING. If the all call is activated or, Arlington ACS volunteers will receive a sitrep over Arlington Alert as a multi-part message and instructions to check into the LOGNET for the briefing. Don't call OEM to find out what's going on. TheAlert pages and calls are specific. You are needed and you should take some action. Calling your Unit Leader, the Radio officer or OEM, to find out "stuff" takes the time away from the person who is getting called (and he is busy building the team from those volunteers who have responded). If you can't take the action, that's fine. We understand. There is no harm done. Not everyone can go all the time. Please pack appropriately. This includes information pertaining to your current assignment. You may be moving from place to place and it is very easy to loose valuables. A simple rule is "If you can't bear the thought of losing it, don't pack it." Please keep this in mind as you prepare for deployment. Please PACK appropriately. If you can't carry it, neither will anyone else. YOU are responsible for your 72-hour survival. There is no guarantee you will be in a one-star hotel. The STARS you see may be those God has provided outside. After 72 hours, you should expect food (quality and quantity may vary), water (mostly in bottles (if it's not in bottles, don't drink it), and maybe your shelter has been upgraded to the NO-star facility AKA the cot on the gym floor. If you say you are available for a DRO (Disaster Relief Operation) assignment, this means you will be ready to deploy for a minimum of three weeks within 24 hours. (MH volunteers are recruited for 10-12 days and may be able to deploy within 48 hours.) Recruiting is very competitive with 814 chapters nationally and 67 in a five-state region. It is NOT> uncommon for a disaster to be staffed within a couple of hours. FEMA deployments range from two weeks to two years (mostly in the 14-day range for Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and short term response units such as Search and Rescue Teams). When the callup is issued, you will be advised for how long and a general where you are going.Everything I know about the assignment, you will know about the assignment. Likewise, deployments are very competitive. Like Red Cross, if youcan't go on the first round, there may be a possibility for service as the first to go rotate out. Also, someone has to STAY because there are things to do here as well, ex. who's going to do the single family fires for ARC, if everyone is inNOLA? Don't get down because you are not out on the first train.> Please keep in mind that the American Red Cross is not a travel club. Do not ask your recruiter where you will be deploying to before you give your answer. You are either available for deployment or you are not. Once you are assigned to a DRO your recruiter does not have authority over your work location, hotel accommodations, or who you will be working with. All those arrangements are made by the DRO staffing officers. FEMA travel will make these arrangements. I won't have any control over these as well. When you are deployed, you WILL receive paperwork, aka email at the least. PRINT and COPY your paperwork. As I learned at the Olympics and at Atlanta, paperwork WILL be lost. You WILL be unexpected. Carry your deployment orders with you, even if you are with the team. Copies go in any bag you carry. Leaving your family and home behind for three weeks is difficult, and Iappreciate all of you for your willingness to lend a helping hand tothose in need. We may never know the impact we as individuals make onothers when we are out on a job. Whether you are serving meals, settingup cots, or meeting the needs of other volunteers, you are playing a very important role in serving our communities. Thank you. The military takes deployments very seriously. Soldiers don't do their jobs well, if their attention is drawn frequently to trials on the home front. That's why there are resources such as http://www.wood.army.mil/mwr/deploymenthndbook.htm http://www.acs.monterey.army.mil/mobguide.pdf http://www.riley.army.mil/Services/Family/ACS/FRP.asp and, for the military, the American Red Cross has THE Armed Forces Emergency Services resource. For us, there's just our brain and the realization that, "If you fail to mplan, you plan to fail". However, the guidance in the military documents is worthwhile, ex. who pays bills while you are gone? If your wife is also a team member, who watches the dog, etc.? Now is the time to discuss this, plan, prepare, and practice. Two minutes after the all-call, it's too late.