What to Bring to a Disaster Checklist |
| This list is intended to help volunteers pack for a disaster. Included are items that you will need to bring each time you are mobilized and items that are specific to certain types of disasters. You may want to laminate this checklist so it can be reused to mark off what you take to each disaster. It is important to put your name in all of your clothing and mark all items that belong to you. |
Uniform Worn By All Volunteers | These items are required at all times when volunteering. |
| Jeans | - Only blue jeans - no other colors - No shorts - We recommend (1) pair for every two days |
| Sweatshirts | - Royal blue - Sweatshirt must be plain or with DART logo - (3) At the most |
| T-shirt | - Royal blue, which is the DART color - T-short must be plain or with DART logo - We recommend (1) per day, especially in hot/rainy weather |
| Work boots | - Heavy duty - not hiking or cowboy boots - Steel toe not required (steel toed boots can really wear you down after having them on all day) - Work boots should be at least one size larger than what you normally wear to allow for wearing extra pairs of socks, especially in the winter |
| Socks | - In cold weather (snow, rain, high altitude) use a polypro sock to keep moisture away from foot - cover with one or two layers of wool socks - do not use cotton socks alone in cold weather - In hot weather, especially during fires, use 100% cotton socks - remember that all man-made fibers (poly, nylon, etc.) will flame and melt into your skin - You may want to invest in some good quality socks (average price $10 per pair - Thorlo© is a good brand) - We recommend (2) pairs of socks per day |
Additional Clothing | These are basic garments that should be brought to every disaster |
| Coat, hooded sweatshirt, or jacket | - It is advisable to bring at least one of these to every disaster even if you don't think it will be cold |
| Rain coat and rain pants or shoes coveralls | - Buy durable fabric - Something comfortable to wear during free time - Flip flops are good to have for going to the shower (if facilities are available - these are not to be worn at any other time for safety reasons) |
| Sleepwear | - Shorts or sweat pants and a t-shirt are most practical (facilities may be co-educational) |
| Undergarments | - (1) Change per day |
Accessories | These are basic items that should be brought to every disaster |
| Backpack | - Especially helpful for search and rescue volunteers to store personal gear when doing rescues |
| Bandanas | - Royal blue is the preferred color |
| Baseball cap | - Prefer people wear royal blue and/or royal khaki color combination blue and |
| Belt | - Wide, black so that pouches can be hung from it |
| Fanny pack | - Good for keeping personal items that you with you (I.e., keys, wallet, chap stick, Kleenex, etc.) need to have |
| Flashlights | - Small light and belt holder - Large light with wide coverage |
| Gloves | - Heavy duty - Should fit your hand snug and not easily slip off |
| Lantern or miner's light | - Used when hands need to be free· lantern must be battery operated and not propane |
| Leatherman's tool or pocket knife | - Do not bring hunting knives |
| DART volunteers picture I.D. and lanyard | - Must be worn at all times when volunteering |
| Pad of paper and pen | - Pad of paper should fit in your back pocket |
| Sunglasses | - A case is good to have as well as a neck rope to hold the glasses when not wearing them |
| Watch | - Waterproof, date, alarm, and light features are nice to have |
| Whistle | - Volunteers use whistles to get people's attention if they need help |
Hygiene and Comfort Items | Always bring these items, as they can be hard to find in disasters. |
| Anti-itch cream | |
| Aspirin | |
| Baby wipes | - Used when showers are not available |
| Band aids | - This is in addition to what is in your first aid kit |
| Bath towel | |
| Chap stick | |
| Comb and/or hairbrush | |
| Cotton balls | |
| Deodorant | |
| Diarrhea medicine | |
| Eye drops | |
| Febreeze© | - Can be sprayed on your clothes to freshen them (remember not to spray around birds or put on your clothing if you are going to be working with birds) |
| Feminine hygiene products | |
| Hand disinfectant | - Small size so it can be kept in a fanny pack or pocket |
| Hand lotion | |
| Insect repellant | - Pocket size is good to have |
| Kleenex | |
| Medications | - It can be difficult to get prescriptions filled in a disaster |
| Nail clippers | |
| No-Rinse Shampoo | - Can be ordered at drug stores or call 800-223-9348 |
| Q-tips | |
| Rubbber bands | - To hold back long hair |
| Shampoo and conditioner | - A supply of hotel size bottles works great |
| Soap and container | |
| Stridex© Pads or something similar | - Simplest way to wash your face when water is not available |
| Sun screen | |
| Tooth brush | |
| Tooth paste | |
| Tweezers | |
| Vitamins | |
| Wash cloth | |
Camping Gear | These are basic items that should be brought to each disaster |
| Air mattress | - If you are flying to a disaster easiest to transport |
| Air pump | - Battery or manual operation |
| Cot | - If you are driving to the disaster may want to bring |
| Ear plugs | - To help you sleep when it is noisy |
| Pillow and pillow case | - Kind that zips to prevent insects from crawling inside |
| Sleeping bag | - Sleeping bags that can be reduced in size using a - Squeeze bag are best if you are flying |
| Tent | - 1 to 2 person size is the best |
Electronic Items | All these items are optional and you should take precautions to protect these personal items |
| Watch with a built in alarm clock | - Works great |
| Alarm clock | |
| Camera | - 35 mm or digital - disposable cameras are something to consider - Computer disk or CD for lap top computer |
| Cell phone | - Note: cell phone service can be unreliable during a disaster - Bring an extra battery - Wall charger for cell phone - Cigarette lighter charger for cell phone |
| Film or memory card for digital camera | - Recommended 400 speed film for 35 mm cameras |
| Lap top computer | - Note: electricity may not be available - Note: phone lines may not be available for internet access - May want to bring an extra battery |
| Pager | - Note: pager service can be unreliable during a disaster |
| Radio | - Battery operated and portable - Weather alert a good feature to have |
| Video tapes or cassettes | - Blanks |
| Water tight plastic pouches | - Used to protect electronic equipment when around water |
Water and Food | Bring to each disaster especially if you have special dietary needs. |
| Water | - We recommend personal cleaning water to last 3 days < we recommend personal drinking water to last 3 days |
| Food | - Non-perishable - We recommend enough personal food to last 3 days - Dehydrated food that can be bought at camping stores is good - If you are a vegetarian or vegan or on a special diet it is especially important to bring food with you - Note: if you bring an ice chest it can be really hard to find ice in a disaster area - Healthy snacks are good to have |
In car | If you are able to return home daily it is still a good idea to keep the following items in you car. This is in case you suddenly are unable to make it home because of new evacuations or road closures. |
| Basic toiletries | |
| Change of clothing | |
| Food | |
| Pillow | |
| Sleeping bag | |
| Water | |
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Volunteers 
