The CERT Deployment Pack list

As a CERT member, one of the most crucial items you need to remember is your creativity.
Your own experiences will guide you in what you need to bring.

Please consider the following as food for thought.

Safety:

• Hard hat (Green with CERT text or logo) (ANSI Z89.1-1997, Type I, Class E & G)
• Safety vest (Green with reflectors and CERT logo or text )(ANSI reflective Type II)
• CERT identification card(s) issued by Parent Organization and or Incident command
• Masks (N95) (>3)
• Latex free gloves (1 box)
• Work gloves
• Work boots (Steel Toe preferable)
• Safety goggles (ANSI approved with side-guards)
• Knee and elbow pads (optional)
• Hearing protection (foam ear buds and/or other ansi approved hearing protection)

CERT Deployment tools:

• CERT Backpack and fanny pack (preferably green, with CERT text or logo and owner name)
• Plastic re-sealable water-proof storage bags for moisture sensitive items.
• Spark-less 4 in 1 tool or crescent wrench
• General purpose rope (stronger the better) (> 20ft)
• 1 roll Duct tape
• 1 roll Masking tape
• 1 canister of orange marking spray paint.
• Triage tags or triage tape.
• Caution boundary tape
• 20' of general purpose rope (*use appropriate type and strength of rope if you are performing rigging)
• First aid Kit: (Pack as little or as much as you care to depending on your favored response role, make sure your kit is updated every year and expired items replaced.)  
• No drugs(no pills,no medicated creams or ointments)(*except for yourself)
• Hot and cold packs
• 4x4 gauze pads (In our drills we use a lot of gauze, some EMR friends of mine highly recommend packing a lot of 4x4 gauze.)
• Triangle bandages
• Roller gauze 
• band-aids and paper tape (A fire fighter I know recommends a large box of bandaids for small non-critical injuries)
• Emergency thermal blankets
• Alcohol ,Iodine or BZK swabs
• 4oz or more of Alcohol hand sanitizer gel
• Flash light and Backup lighting with sufficient batteries and supplies.
• Knife (folding blade pocket knife, and/or utility knife)
• Scissors (medical shears, or other sharp durable scissors recommended)
• Pens, Pencils, Permanent markers, grease pencil, paper (Notebook)
• CERT Field Operation Guide, Deployment protocols (and other documents required by your CERT group)

72 Hour Kit: Food and shelter supplies for extended deployments:

• Water tight storage containers for 72 hour kit transportation and storage
• Tent
• Chair
• Table
• Sleeping bag and cot and or air mattress
• 9 Meals (2000 to 3600 Calories per day)(Non perishable, low preparation) 
• Personal Latrine & supplies
• Personal First aid kit with 72 hours worth of medications and supplies.
• Personal decontamination/toiletry/cleaning supplies (personal shower recommended)
• Personal Cooking and eating supplies 
• At least 1 Gallon of water per person per day (>3 gallons) 
• Water purification: tablets, micro-pore-filters ...etc
• Durable all-weather clothing for 72 hours plus bio hazard bag for contaminated clothing.
• Fire building/tending tools.
• Trash sacks
• Large Resealable Plastic bags 
• Tarp

(This equipment is extremely bulky, you will want to adjust this list depending on the the length of time deployed and what your task will be.  For instance, if you are working with wounded then decontamination and cleaning supplies are crucial.  A large scale response will some times have food, showers,water and sleeping arrangements supplied so your 72 hour supplies can be greatly reduced.)

Seasonal items:

• Season appropriate clothing: long sleeve shirts and pants are preferred.
• Water proof boots with backup work boots/ shoes
• Cold weather work gear (winter coat, pants, hat, gloves ...etc)
• Rain gear (poncho, rain suit with water resistant jacket)
• Wide brimmed hat 
• Bandanna, cooling cloth ...etc
• Sun screen
• Bug repellent

(Weather conditions can change quickly, so bring equipment for the worst case scenario.)

References:

• Olathe KS, CERT FOG
• Los Angles CERT Equipment load out list 
• Mason County Washington CERT