Disaster Preparedness Planning

Emergency Essentials – General Supplies and Gear

This is a list of general supplies and gear that are the emergency essentials you will need for your own emergency preparation. It is best to begin with your 72 hour survival kits first. Once those are complete begin to work on your long term disaster preparedness planning. We deal with survival gardens, emergency food supplies (for your survival food storage), and water supplies, separately. The list is based on 4 people, and should be refined to suit your own needs. It’s based on information from Holly Deyo.

CAMPING GEAR

36 each Candles
200 each Fire Starters (jelly, ribbon, tablets, impregnated peat bricks, wax-coated pine cones, magnesium block, flint)
1 each First Aid Kit
1 each Fuel Refills (for each type, propane, sterno, diesel, gas)
2 each Fishing Kit
4 each Foam Mattress Pads (for under sleeping bags, swags, etc.)
4 cans Insect Repellent
1 each Kettle, huge, with lid (at least lobster pot size) for boiling water
18 each Light sticks (12 hour)
4 each Lighter (butane)
4 bottles Liquid Detergent for clothes and dish washing
1 each Mosquito Netting
4 each Plastic Sheeting or Tarps (waterproofing between sleeping bag and ground)
2 each Propane Lanterns and Extension Poles
2 each Propane Tank (20 lb or 9 Kg)
4 each Propane Wicks or Socks
1 each Portable Clothes Line and Pegs or Clothes Pins
2 each Prescriptions for current medications
2 each Sleeping Bag, Bedroll, Swag or Wool Blankets
1 each Snake Bite Kit
4 each Space Blankets (reflects up to 90% of your body heat and only weighs 20 oz)
2 each Tents (2 person)
5 each Trash Bags*
1 each Wash Board
1 each Wash Tub for laundry
10 boxes Waterproof Matches
* Purchase the heaviest, largest trash bags available for countless uses like an extra tent, emergency wind/rain protection or keeping pack and contents dry

CARRYING ITEMS

4 each Backpack for supplies
4 each Fanny pack for short excursions
4 each Five Gallon Pail with Lid
4 each Water Canteen

CLOTHING

24 each Bandanas (inexpensive shield face, head cover, wash cloth, bandage, etc.)
12 each Complete Change of Clothing* (3 for each person)
2 each Current Prescription Glasses
12 each Dust Masks
12 each Extra 3 sets of underwear (3 for each person)
1 each Gas Mask if you are living in one of the top 120 major cities
8 pair Heavy Socks for boots
4 each Rain Poncho OR Rubberized Parka and Rain Pants (oversized to layer clothing underneath; these are preferable over Rain Ponchos-offer more protection)
4 each Sturdy Boots
4 each Sunglasses
4 pair Tennis Shoes
4 pair Work Gloves, heavy duty
*Most people will need to consider seasonal changes. Every season, update your stored change of clothes for appropriate weather conditions. In winter, include coats, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, snow boots and clothes for layering.

COMMUNICATION ITEMS

1 set $1000. in cash and change
2 each Compass of good quality
6 each Notepad
2 each Map of your local area
4 each Pen
4 each Pencil
1 set Phone numbers and addresses of friends and family
1 set Pre-addressed, stamped postcards of friends and family out of state
1 each Radio (solar, hand cranked or battery powered)
8 each Road Flares
1 each Short-wave Radio (plus extra batteries)
12 each Signal Flares
4 each Signal Mirror
4 each Signal Whistle

COOKING ITEMS

2 rolls Aluminum Foil, heavy weight
2 each Boning Knife
2 each Bread Loaf Pan
1 each Butcher Knife
1 each Camp Stove
1 each Can Opener, manual, heavy duty
1 each Corkscrew
6 each Dish Cloths
1 each Dutch Oven, large with lid, stainless steel or cast iron best*

INFANT SUPPLIES

3 sets Baby Clothes
2 bottles Baby Powder
2 bottles Baby Wash
2 each Blankets
3 each Bottles
26 boxes Diapers, disposable (24 count)
1 bottle Diaper Rash Ointment
? cans Formula
2 bottles Lotion
1 each Teething Ring
2 boxes Towelettes, Premoistened
Toys

LATRINE AND GENERAL HYGIENE

12 pair Surgical Gloves (these are inexpensive and can be obtained in discount stores)
1 each Camping Potty
2 bottles Disinfectant
3 gallons Liquid Bleach and Eye Dropper
4 bottles Liquid Detergent for clothes and dish washing
4 each Sponges
2 boxes Steel Wool Pads like Brillo
40 rolls Toilet Paper, rolls flattened
2 boxes Towelettes, Premoistened (in addition to ones for infants)
120 each Trash Bags, large (for human waste and misc. rubbish)
4 bottles Vinegar

MISCELLANEOUS

1 each Bible
1 each Board Games: Scrabble, Monopoly, Chess, Backgammon, Checkers
8 each Books for pleasure
1 set Certified Copies of:
wills
birth, death, marriage certificates and divorce decrees
house and life insurance policies
inventory of valuable household items
deeds and contracts
stocks and bonds
charge card account numbers and their “lost or stolen” notification numbers
bank account numbers
medical records including immunizations
social security numbers
passports, where pertinent for each family member

*Keep these items in waterproof containers. Many survival and camping stores sell flat, water tight pouches. If you have a food vacuum sealer, this is a great use for it.

Ammunition, if firearm is selected
1 each Clock, wind-up manually like Big Ben and Baby Ben
2 each Firearm, (pistol and rifle recommended, personal choice item)
1 each Hunting Knife
2 decks Playing Cards
1 each Magnifying Glass
1 box Paper Clips, assorted sizes
1 box Rubber Bands, assorted sizes
1 box Safety Pins, assorted sizes
1 each Dare To Prepare book

PERSONAL HYGIENE

1 bottle After Shave
2 months Birth Control
2 bottles Body/Hand Lotion
4 each Comb and Brush
1 set Cosmetics
2 each Dental Floss
2 bottles Body/Hand Lotion
4 each Comb and Brush
1 each Cosmetics
2 each Dental Floss
4 each Deodorant
3 bottles Liquid Soap for personal washing
1 box Panty Liners
1 bottle Perfume
3 pkgs Razor Blades (10 count)
3 bottles Shampoo
1 box Tampons/Sanitary napkins
4 each Toothbrush
3 tubes Toothpaste
1 each Tweezers, pointed
8 each Wash Cloths & Towels

SENIOR CARE

2 each Batteries for Wheelchairs and Hearing Aids
1 each Crutches or Walkers, Tips and Pads
2 boxes Denture Care Items
1 spare Eye Glasses
2 months Heart or Blood Pressure Medications
2 months Prescriptions
Special Dietary Items
3 sets Warmer Clothing

TOOLS & HANDYMAN ITEMS

2 each ABC Fire Extinguisher (check expiration date)
1 each Axe
6 each Bungee Straps (variety)
1 each Bush or Tree Saw
1 set Buttons, assorted sizes
1 each Crowbar
1 each Drill, Hand-operated
3 rolls Duct Tape
4 each Flashlight (extra batteries, bulbs)
1 each Generator, diesel preferably 5 KW
1 each Hammer
1 each Hatchet
1 roll Masking Tape (for labeling, etc.)
1 box Nails, assorted sizes
1 pkg Needles and Thread (assorted)
1 box Pins
1 each Pliers, needle nose
1 each Pliers, regular
1 each Post Hole Digger, auger type
100′ Rope, Nylon
1 each Scissors
1 each Screwdriver, Phillips
1 each Screwdriver, Flat Head
1 each Shovel, Rounded V-shaped for digging
1 each Sledgehammer
1 each Staple Gun and Staples
1 each Swiss Army Knife
100′ Twine or Heavy String
1 each Vice Grips
1 each Wire Cutters
1 each Wench and Cable, manual
1 each Wrench