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: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 12:01:26 EDT