There is an event coming up that CCARES is participating in - OR - all of the sudden there is an 'emergency'. One you know will be happening, and the other we never really know when it will happen. Sometimes we can 'read the tea leaves' and be prepared when we have extended rain or a tropical front moves in and stalls over us. But whatever, would you be ready to operate?? 
Here are a few items that EVERYONE should have on hand in order that you can operate in an 'event' of any nature. You will probably not need all of these items for every event. 

- Your amateur radio blaze orange safety vest. 
- Clip board(s) with paper & pens/pencils, paper clips & rubber    bands.

- Money, CASH, for food, gas, etc. 
- ID, drivers license, amateur radio license (copy OK), etc. 
- Clothing consistent with the weather conditions at the time of   the event. (hats, rain   gear, sun block, coats, sweaters, umbrellas, boots, etc.)

- Mediations necessary for your health for the duration of the event.  Bottled drinking   water to sustain you for the event. 
- Drinking cups for water/coffee. 
- Packaged sugar & creamer, if needed, for your coffee/tea.

- Food and snacks for the estimated length of the operation.

- Cooler and reusable ice packs. 
- Eating utensils (knife, fork, spoon, paper plates). 
- Personal First Aid Kit for YOUR use. 
- Area maps and topo maps, if you have them. 
- Binder clips and/or push pins to hold maps, etc.

- A current phone book. 
- Battery chargers for your NiCad, NiMH, Li-ION battery packs. 
- Your PDA, GPS & other electronics gadgets & spare batteries.

- Portable AM/FM - WX radio & spare batteries. 
- Portable tape recorder with tape & spare batteries, camera & film.

- Tools. (screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, adjustable wrench, etc.) 
- Scotch tape & Duct tape. (100 MPH NASCAR tape)

- Flashlights and spare batteries & bulbs. 
- Field glasses, glasses, contacts & solutions. 
- Paper towels, napkins & toilet paper. 
- Tarp for rain or sun shelters for you or your equipment.

- Pillow and blanket for extended operations. 
- If you have a mobile radio installed in your vehicle:

  Extension speaker 
- If you have a 'HT' - (handy talkie): 
  CHARGED NiCad battery packs - 2 or more 
- Portable Magnetic antenna WITH adapters to connect it to your HT

You can then add items from the following list as you get more into amateur radio   and emergency and/or public service work: 

- Power adapter for connecting your HT to 12 VDC

  (for either IIOV AC to 12VDC      power supply or your car's lighter) 
- Power supply -IIOV AC to 12VDC 
- External speaker so you can 'hear' better

- Hand held speaker microphone 
- Alkaline battery pack for your HT

- Spare batteries for the battery pack 
- Spare fuses for every different type/value of fuses in any power cable or power line   for all your equipment 
- Power amplifier or 'brick' to increase your HT's power output

- Headphones for use in noisy conditions 
- Power cables & adapters, clips. 
- Large gel cell or marine deep cycle batteries for extended operations.

There are these and many other items that can be included that will provide you with that 'extra' edge when and if you need it. 
I know people who have had these and many more items 'READY TO GO' in a 'GO KIT(S)' should anything happen. These items have been carried in everything from grocery bags, paper or plastic, to expensive aluminum cases with custom foam lining and everything else in between.

If you have suggestions for items to be added to this list, please contact me. 
Elliott R. Blauvelt, Jr., N20JM, EMERGENCY COORDINATOR E-Mail: EMERGENCYCOORDINATOR(tV,ARAST.ORG 
Phone: (607) 739-1369 - Fax: (607) 739-4469 
Digital Pager: 1-866-310-8441 and your call back number 
CCARES - ERB, Jr. - Ready List  - 10-1-08