It’s obvious that you
can’t operate efficiently if you don’t have the right gear, and we’ve talked
extensively about the equipment items that you need to include in your go-kit. You
can’t operate effectively if you’re hungry or thirsty, and we’ve talked about
what food and drink to include. And you can’t operate well if you aren’t
comfortable, or if you’re too hot or too cold. Your attention will be focused
on your discomfort and not on your emcomm assignment. So in this training tip
we’ll discuss clothing and non-clothing comfort items to include in your
go-kit.
For starters, it’s
impossible to predict the environment you’ll be in when you’re assigned an
operating position in an ARES emergency, and your assignment may change from
shift to shift. You might be in a chilly patrol car or a stuffy hot EMA van, in
a warm shelter, outdoors in rainy weather or under a hot sun, or maybe
shadowing an EMA official who constantly goes in and out of doors. Given all
the possibilities, it could take a lot of clothes to be prepared for any
conditions. It would be embarrassing to tell the Assistant EC who calls you to
take an assignment that you’ll be 3 hours late because you have to pack your 2
suitcases and steamer trunk full of clothes! And it’s also foolish, as well as
offensive, to think of wearing just the clothes you have on for the next 72
hours.
So here’s a
reasonable idea. Pack a basic kit in a sturdy bag or spare suitcase. Include an
extra pair of pants or jeans, underwear and socks, an extra shirt, a
handkerchief, a sweater or sweatshirt, an extra pair of sneakers, a ball cap,
and an orange emergency vest. That’s the basic kit. The second item to have
ready is a list. Things to include on this list are items you don’t want to
delegate to the go-kit, because of expense or duplication or because they’re
seasonal. Such items might be a light jacket, a heavy coat or parka, boots,
gloves, scarf, and hat. You’ll want to add a travel kit with toothbrush and
toothpaste, mouthwash, brush, comb, medications, extra eyeglasses, razor, etc.
Other non-clothing-but-related items you ought to include would be a sleeping
bag or blanket, a pillow, a cot or air mattress, and a towel. In addition you
should include a folding chair and small card table, because you might be
assigned a position in a place with no furniture and it will be very
uncomfortable if you don’t have at least a table and chair. Remember you can’t
operate efficiently for long if you aren’t comfortable.
So here’s the plan.
You keep the list of these items in the same suitcase with the basic kit, and
when you need to deploy, you quickly gather the items on the list that are
appropriate for the assignment, the season, and the expected weather, and off
you go.
A word about shoes:
sandals are a bad idea. You might find they’re ok for an assignment in a
shelter, perhaps, but they won’t be welcome anywhere there’s a possibility of
foot injury, so if you’re assigned to shadow a Red Cross damage assessment
person, sandals would be risky. Also, sandals may be comfortable during the
warm day, but you might find your feet get cold at night, especially if they
get wet in rain. So forget sandals – they’re just not a good idea. Go for
sneakers or more protective footwear like boots or sturdy shoes, especially
shoes with a rubber sole, which are safer and warmer than leather-soled shoes.
Use good judgment and wear appropriate footwear.
Shorts are not a good
idea either. Aside from the danger of leg injuries from contact with debris,
they may also be too chilly if your assignment takes you into the cool of
night. Best to avoid shorts and wear more protective jeans or long pants.
Another very good
reason to avoid shorts and sandals is appearance. When we’re called on to take
an emcomm assignment, even though our name is Amateur Radio, we need to appear
professional. We’re expected to dress in appropriate clothing for the work
we’re going to do. Jeans with ripped holes in the knee, no matter how chic or
stylish, just won’t impress most law enforcement or emergency management
officials. If you look like you slept on a park bench last night, don’t plan to
join us. Our task of collaborating with our served agencies is hard enough to
do without looking like disaster victims ourselves. We can’t stress enough how
important it is to look professional.
At the risk of
sounding like your mother, be sure to include a hat! It might be needed for
warmth in cool weather, or essential to keep the sun off in hot weather. The
last thing you need is sunburn or heatstroke. You may find yourself spending
time out of doors and good head protection is vital. A cap can also be useful,
if it has your name and call letters on it. You’ll be recognized more easily
that way, especially by your fellow hams who don’t know you because they have
come from outside the local area. In addition to a conventional hat, you might
find a hard hat very useful, depending on the assignment. It’s best to have
your own – one that you know fits you and is comfortable to wear for an
extended period, than to be handed one that’s less comfortable. So think about
getting a hard hat that’s right for you.
We mentioned orange
emergency vests earlier. These are available from the ARRL web site and they
aren’t very expensive. They say AMATEUR RADIO on them and you’ll be easily
identified by an emergency official. They also are highly reflective and
visible, day or night, so they will add immensely to your safety. And of course
they’ll add to your professional appearance. We strongly suggest you get one if
you don’t have one. It could save your life.
And here’s one last
idea. Layers are best for flexibility in adjusting to heat and cold. A light
t-shirt, an over-shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt, and an outer jacket make up a
layering system that will keep you comfortable over a wide range of
temperatures. Plan on wearing layers.
So that’s tonight’s training tip. We welcome any ideas you might have on clothing and related comfort items needed to operate efficiently for a long shift. The bottom line is that if you don’t have the creature comforts you need, you just can’t do your best.