The Public Information Officer’s Go Kit

Crisis communicators don’t have the luxury of working banker’s hours. When the call comes, you go. And you stay until the job is done. The last thing many public information officers think about is what they will carry with them during a long deployment. With a little forethought and planning, you can be ready to go on a moment’s notice without having to scramble or worry about leaving something important behind. Here’s the check list for my “Go Kit.”

What’s a Go Kit?

A “Go Kit” is my name for two bags of essential stuff that I might need when I have to “go” on assignment for a client. For example, as a communication contractor for a suburban Chicago health department, I received a call on Wednesday morning telling me that my services were needed.

Unsure of how long I might be away from home (fortunately, I beat my wife home for dinner), I have a check list of things that I might need if I am unable to go home or to a hotel room for 24-72 hours. Since my role on the communications team also might put me in front of a camera at some point, my check list is tailored to the need with respect to my role.

My Professional Bag

• 1 box (12) Uni-ball Signo Gelstick 0.7 pens
• 1 box (12) highlighter pens
• 3 legal size note pads
• Reserve cell phone battery
• Cell phone battery charger
• Laptop + AC converter

My Personal Bag

• 2 pairs of dress socks
• 2 pairs of underwear
• 2 white t-shirts
• 2 ties
• 1 pair of blue jeans
• 1 pair of Dockers
• 1 dress belt
• 1 pair of dress shoes
• 2 knit shirts
• Toiletry kit
  • Razor
  • shaving cream
  • toothpaste
  • toothbrush
  • mouthwash
  • deodorant
  • alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• 1 bottle of Ibuprofen
• 1 box of Twinning’s Lady Grey tea (20 individual bags)
• 1 box of Glucerna Snack Bars (4 bars)

I also pack my charcoal suit, two white dress shirts, and my copy of The Benedictine Handbook so I have a simple Divine Office prayer book with me.

What’s in your “Go Kit?”

Here are other articles I have written on this topic:

• New Campaign for Will County Health Department
• The Art of Cleaning Up a Mess
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 10: Team Briefing
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 7: Social Media Checklist
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 6: Reporters’ Notebook
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 5: Test Your Call Tree
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 4: Notify Stakeholders
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 3: Verify Your Contacts
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 2: Your Message
• 10 Day Tune Up for H1N1 – Day 1: Influenza Update