Reaping the Whirlwind

Hurricane Response Pack

- Andrew Schrader

When I began my service in the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) field back in 2014, I had joined for all the wrong reasons. I thought I'd be some kind of a cross between G.I. Joe and Indiana Jones. I imagined myself hanging off the back of a Chinook helicopter and smiling, serving America but mostly serving myself. I had a lot to learn.

During my time working as a Structures Specialist attached to the State of Florida's US&R Task Force, I've been privileged to deploy on rescue operations for four hurricanes and most recently the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside, Florida. I've carried my gear in the whole series of 5.11 RUSH packs, starting with a big RUSH72 (55-liter size) and eventually working my way down to the RUSH12 (24-liter size) - a small and lightweight pack. I like it because it forces me to carefully consider everything I'm bringing, discouraging overpacking.

The Pack

The RUSH12 is my “12-hour pack” used for the 16-to 18hour shifts that we actually end up working during a deployment. I grab this if I think I'll be walking all day (or in a helicopter, where space is at a premium). It's intended for supporting myself in an urban or suburban location that has been hit by a hurricane. My loadout is mostly just to make myself more comfortable, with minimal outside support. It's not intended to be a wilderness or desert setup - I assume I'll have access to food and water at some point. Normally, when we arrive somewhere that's been hit by a hurricane, it's not hard to find food or water. What most everyone wants is ice because it's hot and the power is out.

The Contents