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Media Access Suggested Gear List

Recommended items for media access:

• SUV or all-terrain type vehicle if needed for your equipment.
• Gear you need to do your job and file your stories from the field, if needed - pens, pencils, pads, recorders, spare batteries, spare tape, spare digital media, etc.
• Cushion-sole socks (hiking socks are good)
• Boots/sturdy shoes - steel-toed and/or steel-shanked boots may be required when embedding with some teams, ask for guidance.
• Comfortable shoes - tennis shoes or other comfortable shoes when boots are not required.
• Long pants - ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED when operating with USAR teams and other front-line disaster response teams.
• Shorts - for warm-weather operations, NOT for operating in areas with heavy damage and safety issues.
• Shirts - both long-sleeved and short sleeved.
• Rain/wind resistant jacket
• Cold-weather coat, gloves, hat -- if needed
• Thermal underwear -- if needed
• Water -- enough for three days
• Food to last three days - protein bars, canned meat, jerky, MREs, etc.
• All personal hygiene: (one week's supply)
  • Toothbrush/paste
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Brush/comb
  • Foot powder
• Prescription/non-prescription medications:
  • Painkiller (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Naproxen)
  • Antacid
  • Anti-diarrhea
  • Vitamins
  • If medications require refrigeration, notify  in advance of deployment as refrigeration may not be available.  There is no guarantee that these medications can be kept cold.
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Denture needs
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent w/DEET 
• Lip balm
• First-aid kit
• Ear plugs w/case
• Sunscreen  
• Baby wipes or the adult version -- Bath-size wipes are available in the camping section of sporting goods stores and are a must in areas without water.
• Identification, including ID with photo.
• Cash (suggested is $100 in tens and $20 spare tucked somewhere else) and various change.
• Flashlight w/batteries
• Hard hat - required with some teams
• Safety glasses - required with some teams
• Dust filter mask (fit-tested N-95 filter mask if working in areas with communicable diseases)
• Latex-free exam gloves if working in areas with communicable diseases
• Multi-purpose tool - knife, screwdriver, can-opener, etc.
• Pocket sewing kit
• Waterproof matches
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) and plastic flatware
• Cell phone with spare battery, charger and automobile charger
• Credit cards
• Health Insurance card or information
• Long-distance calling card
• Entertainment -- Paperback book, deck of cards, etc.
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Sleeping bag and pillow 
• Sleeping bag pad or inflatable mattress
• Travel alarm clock
• Towel
• Backpack/daypack
• Maps -- Road, topographic if necessary

This is not an all-encompassing list.  Individual gear lists should be based on personal experience with activities in a prolonged primitive environment.  Feel free to consult with FEMA OPA to help gauge appropriate gear.

Prohibited articles:

• any weapons – if they won't let you have it on the plane, you shouldn't bring it, with the exception of a multi-purpose tool, which should be packed in checked baggage.
• any controlled substances or alcoholic beverages.
• destructive devices (explosives caps, tear gases, projectiles, etc.)
• explosives and flammables (i.e. Heat tabs, sterno, etc.)
• white phosphorus matches
• pornographic material
• prescription drugs (restricted).  Must be in original labeled container and not loose.  Should be in hygiene kit.

Last Modified: Monday, 14-Feb-2011 16:49:01 EST