IMPORTANT NOTE: This full minimum equipment list is for deployments and exercises when the exact mission has not been defined. For pre-planned events, it may be possible to use the light minimum equipment list, if preapproved by the CDO.
Minimum Equipment List – Full
This list is designed to be a checklist of things that you will need for any deployment. Please review this entire document prior to creating your kit and please regularly review the checklists on the next few pages to ensure that you always have the latest items.
Please keep in mind that these lists have been specifically designed to assist you in support of MCCERT’s four call-out missions and is tailored as such:
- High-rise Evacuations
- Line/Grid Search
- Damage Assessments / Windshield Survey
- Post-fire escort missions
It is imperative that all Go-Team members have the same minimum equipment so that your partners and teammates know what is in the field and what resources are available at a moment’s notice.
These lists do not cover the equipment that will be issued by the Logistics Team at a deployment. Things such as radios, forms, etc. will be provided on-site unless otherwise noted. This document contains the list of things that each team member is expected to bring to a planned and unplanned deployment.
When it comes to lugging gear…
Ounces are pounds and pounds are pain.
Pack what you need. Leave the rest at home.
Individual Equipment
Below you will find a list of equipment that is required for all CERT Go-Team members to carry in their kits or on their person.
Required Equipment
- CERT Identification
- CERT Helmet
- Backpack
- Individual First Aid Kit
- Light Sources (at least 2)
- Flashlight w/ Spare Batteries
- Cyalume lights (aka glow sticks, chem lights)
- Headlamp
- Water
- Snacks
- Medication
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- N95 Mask
- Nitrile Gloves (exam gloves)
- Eye Protection
- Trauma Shears
- Office Supplies
- All-weather Notebook
- Pens
- Sharpie
- Lumber Crayon
- Railroad Chalk
- Whistle
- Compass
- Flagging/survey tape (for triage or marking hazards)
- Watch
- Knife and/or multitool
- Quart size Ziploc bags (4)
- Gallon size Ziploc bags (2)
- Large, heavy (contractor) trash bag (1)
- Cell Phone
Highly Recommended
- Upgraded backpack
- Pack cover (rain cover)
- Rain Poncho
- Hand warmers
- Toilet paper
- Duct Tape
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Tourniquet
- CPR Mask
- Emergency Blanket
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunglasses
- Cell Phone
Optional
- External power supply and cable for charging cell phones, etc.
- Binoculars
- County Map
- 4-in-1 non-sparking tool
- GPS
Notes
Plan for deployments to be 6-8 hours or possibly longer. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
Don’t rely on your cell phone for anything except for calls and text messages. Preserve battery for emergency situations. If radio communications drop off, dispatch and/or IC will try to contact you via cell phone.