A few years ago I voluntarily took on the task of trying to put together a web-site that would have all the necessary elements necessary for Harris County ARES to provide support to our served agencies. One page was for go-kits. As many would do, I Googled go-kits and subsequently read a lot of web-sites, forms, check off lists ad nausuem, and quickly came to the conclusion that there is no one perfect go-kit. I did find there were a lot of similarities but for some applications the suggested go-kits would be over kill. As an example, my preassigned duty for an ARES event is the EOC at the City of La Porte. Outside of a small cooler for soda's and snacks, my personal netbook, and some change for the vending machines down the hall, I do not need a classic go-kit.

The following is just one part of the Harris County ARES field operations manual located at in the “Field Operations Manual” section.

The evolution of the classic "Go Kit"

What should you have in a "go-kit"? Well that really depends because there really is no one right answer to this question. The goal is to be self sufficient no matter what the situation. What we will try to do here is give you some examples of what you may want to include in "your kit".

EOCs

If you are deployed to an EOC, hospital or other fixed site that has permanently installed radios you only need to be concerned with providing the following. Many ARES members who are badged at the various permanent EOCs and already know the capabilities and limitations of those facilities and can adjust their kits accordingly

For a short term assignment (24 hours or less)

• All appropriate ID including ARES/RACES and drivers license.

• Field operation manual.

• Small cooler with drinks and snacks of your choosing.

• Medications including OTC pain relief of your choosing.

• Money, small bills and change especially.

For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.

• Two or three changes of clothes.

• Personal toiletries and towels.

• Additional drinks, snacks and food.

• Sleeping bag / pillow.

• Cot / air mattress

General deployment

If you are deployed to a shelter, hospital or other facility that does not have installed amateur radios you will need:

For a short term assignment (24 hours or less)

• All appropriate ID including ARES/RACES and drivers license

• Field operation manual.

• Small cooler with drinks and snacks of your choosing.

• Medications including OTC pain relief of your choosing.

• Radio, or HT with external power amp

• Power supply or battery of adequate capacity.

• Portable antenna with stand with coax.

• SWR meter

• Small multi-meter

• Earphone / headphones (Speaker mic / headset)

• Extra batteries if needed

• Various RF cable adapters

• Various 12VDC adapters as for Cigarette lighter and PowerPoles

• Watch

• Portable alarm clock with AM/FM radio.

• Money, small bills and change especially.

• NOAA weather radio, preferably with SAME

• Camera

For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.

• Two or three changes of clothes.

• Baby wipes or similar product

• Personal toiletries and towels.

• Additional drinks, snacks and food.

• Sleeping bag / pillow.

• Cot / air mattress

Outdoors "in the open"

If your deployment is going to have you outside "in the open" you will need to consider adding the following to your deployment kit. Weather will also dictate what you do and do not need.

Personal items for a short term assignment (24 hours or less)

• Cap, jacket or rain poncho as weather dictates.

• Pocket knife / Multi-tool

• Mini first aid kit

• Sun glasses

• Sun screen / block

• Insect repellent

• Umbrella / canopy / tent

• Small trash bag

• Small table and chair

• Hand cleaner / paper towels

• Small flashlight

• Chap-stick

• Kleenex

For a medium term assignment (24 - 72 hours). In addition to all of the above you will need to consider bring the following most of which may be able to be left in your vehicle until needed.

• Two or three changes of clothes.

• Baby wipes or similar product

• Personal toiletries and towels.

• Additional drinks, snacks and food.

• Sleeping bag / pillow.

• Cot / air mattress

More hostile environments / situations may require you to consider adding

• More substantial shoes and / or hiking boots

• Wide-brimmed hat

• Pocketed vest

• Compass

• Whistle

• Matches / lighter (even if you don't smoke)

• Earplugs

• Eye protection

• Leather / work gloves

• Camp shovel

• Toilet paper

• Safety pins

• Water purifier

Extras

Additional carry along items provided you have the space and feel the need.

Admin / office items

• Pens

• Pencils

• Paper clips

• Rubber bands

• Clear tape

• Post it notes

• Ruler

• Envelopes various sizes of Manila

• Stapler & staples

• Calculator

• Clipboard

• Highlighters / markers

• Local maps

Tools are very important to have along with you. A small toolbox with the following is easy to carry along

• Screw drivers, flat and phillips

• Adjustable wrench

• Adjustable pliers

• Adjustable locking pliers (Vice grips)

• Soldering iron

• Solder

• Sand paper

• Assortment of allen wrench's

• Electrical tape

• Duct tape

• Hammer

• Tape measure

• Assortment of small screws, nuts, bolts & washers

In addition an assortment of spare parts such as;

• Fuses

• Wire

• Jacks

• Plugs

• Other connectors

Some other miscellaneous items

• Food that does not require cooking unless you bring the stove and fuel

• Hand held propane torch

• Additional antennas

• Slingshot / fishing line

• Rope

• 50 Ohm Coax

• Binoculars

• Generator

• Extension Cords

• Power strips

• Bags and baggies

• Hammock

• Jumper cables

• Camp stove with fuel

• Eating utensils

• Large Trash Bag

Finally this list could go on forever to include everything possible. It should however serve as a guide to help you determine what you personally need to be equipped for your assignment.