complimentary thinklets – second quarter 2025
in the bag
If you are a crisis response team member, you need to be ready to respond in person 24/7/365.
Whether you are expected to work at your local office or get on an airplane to wherever duty calls, I highly recommend you have a bag packed and placed wherever it will be most convenient for you to grab and go when the notification comes.
What should be in the bag? I counsel clients to be ready for anything. This comes from my first crisis response experience when I was called in on a weekend and did not bring anything with me except for a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant all of which I stopped enroute to buy at a convenience store.
Sure enough, later that night, I was on an airplane to the airport where families were waiting for news about their loved ones. I hastily got on the plane with nothing but the clothes on my back, even forgetting the personal items I had purchased earlier that day. In this case it did not matter as I returned to our crisis response center very early the next morning.
But what if I had had to stay? I was single at the time with no family anywhere close so no one could pack and bring me anything. The families were on a very small island with no clothing stores. I would likely have ended up wearing the same thing for days with nothing appropriate for any kind of formal services or official visits.
I have spoken with many people over the years. Some do not like having things sitting in a bag for long periods of time or having a large bag filled with all potential items.
How prepared you want to be in advance is of course up to you. I will just share that there is rarely enough time to begin thinking about what to take.
If you are going to pack at the time of notification, at least have your wardrobe organized such that you can go directly to the correct section to collect what you need.
Here is a starter list for your personal go bag …
– Clothing
– Work clothing
– Season / weather appropriate clothing for destination
– Culturally appropriate (e.g. hats, ties, head scarves)
– Solemn event clothing
– Workout / casual clothing
– Dress, casual, and sports shoes
– Personal hygiene items
– Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, makeup, etc.
– Face masks, disinfectant wipes, gloves, shoe covers, etc.
– Facial tissues, toilet paper, toilet seat covers
– Minimum 7-day supply of medication with corresponding prescriptions or letter from doctor
– Medical documentation (e.g. vaccination records, allergies)
– Personal first aid kit
– Travel sewing kit
– Eyeglasses (e.g. reading, prescription, sun) or other assistive devices
– Universal converters, adapters, and chargers
– Small flashlight / torch and batteries
You will of course need your identity documentation, electronic equipment, and financial resources. I did not put them on the list because most are unique items that need to be available for daily use.
A very important item to have in your bag is a personal comfort item. No matter your age or emotional stability, yours will be a difficult assignment away from loved ones. Always bring something that brings you happiness or inner peace. Maybe a family photo or a drawing by one of your children.
I always ensure I have an Almond Joy or similar. When that rare moment comes when I get to step away from the crisis, I enjoy that candy bar like I did when I was a little kid and did not have a care in the world. It soothes a weary soul.
You will want to customize the list above. Some things may be provided for you by your organization. I believe in being self-reliant just so I do not end up someplace disappointed that a promised item was not procured.
Whatever you decide to bring, however you decide to be at the ready, ensure you know and practice the packing and retrieval routine the same as any other part of the emergency response plan.
We specialize in helping organizations review their plans for often overlooked processes that can derail a response. If we can help you, please contact us.
Be different. Be ready.