Volunteer Supplies Checklist
This weekend, in the Old Sergeant's plainspoken style, start with what protects people first: water, a flashlight with spare batteries, a basic first-aid kit, medications, copies of important papers, and a family meeting plan written on the fridge. Use this checklist to plan personal and household readiness supplies. This page does not include brands, pricing, or sales links. For official guidance, review Ready.gov Build a Kit .
Water supply plan
At least one gallon per person per day, for several days. See Ready.gov.
Shelf-stable food basics
A several-day supply of non-perishable food your household will actually eat.
Flashlight and backup lighting
Spare batteries that fit your flashlight and radio.
Basic first-aid kit
Include bandages, gauze, tape, gloves, and antiseptic supplies
Personal medications list
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about keeping a backup supply of prescriptions.
First-aid training reference card
Take a first aid and CPR class from the Red Cross or a local provider, and a Stop the Bleed course.
Printed emergency contact list
Family, neighbors, and key services in one offline sheet
Portable phone charging plan
A charged power bank for each phone.
Local alert sign-up checklist
Sign up for your county's emergency alerts. Ready.gov explains how.
Utility shutoff familiarity
Learn where your gas, water and electric shutoffs are. Call your utility for guidance on gas.
Home safety items
Smoke alarms, fire extinguisher check dates, and replacements
Neighborhood meeting point plan
Pick two family meeting spots: one near home and one outside the neighborhood.
Photo ID copies
Physical and digital backup kept in secure locations
Insurance and property documents
Copies of IDs, insurance policies and important papers, stored in a waterproof bag or saved securely online.
Medical information summary
A short list of each person's medications, allergies and doctors.
Household contact tree
A written list of key phone numbers, in case your phone dies.
