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©2010 Davis Fire Crew

Required and Recommended Items

see also our boot buying guide.

Line Gear (Yellow Pack)

Required (USFS issued at Fire Cache in Willows):

  • Fire Shelter
  • Headlamp (LED lamp of your own works great compared to USFS issue, just remember that any items of your own will not be replaced by the Supply Unit if broken.)
  • MRE
  • 4 Canteens (2 of which can be 1.5 liter water bottles)
  • Gloves
  • Goggles (I suggest also bringing a pair of clear safety glasses, as the issued goggles are bulky to wear and make you look like a chemistry student.)
  • Helmet
  • Shroud
  • Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG)

Recommended (your responsibility):

  • Emergency Blanket (Not the flimsy $2 Wal-Mart kind, but the thick kind from firecache.com)
  • Watch (Your every move on a fire is dictated by time; it's a must)
  • Lighter (While we usually put out fires, we also start a lot of them)
  • Pocket Knife or Leatherman Tool
  • Carabiners (For attaching various equipment to your pack or person)
  • 2 Trash Bags (For hauling out trash or for a makeshift poncho)
  • Duct Tape (Make a dozen wraps around your water bottle for easy storage)
  • Large Ziploc bag with the following in it:
    1. Moleskin/Scissors
    2. Beanie
    3. Socks (wool)
    4. Thermal underwear top
    5. Extra boot laces (leather preferred)
    6. Toilet Paper (one roll for "emergencies")
    7. Extra batteries
  • Extra water bottle caps
  • Pens / Sharpie marker
  • Stainless Steel Cup/Pot (To cook up some coffee/ramen during a break.)
  • Snacks: Ramen, Coffee, Clif Bars, granola, etc.
  • Big Spoon (All you need to use at chow time)
  • Bandanas
  • Earplugs

Camp Gear (Red Pack)

Required (USFS/DFC issued):

  • Red Pack (USFS issued)
  • 2 sets Nomex Shirts/Pants (USFS issued)
  • Sleeping Bag (USFS will issue you one.  You may bring your own instead, but you're responsible if it's damaged or stolen.)
  • 1 DFC T-shirt
  • 1 DFC Sweatshirt (When going anywhere as a crew, a DFC shirt or sweatshirt is required to be the outermost layer)

Recommended (your responsibility):

  • 5-6 Pair Underwear
  • 5-6 Pair T-Shirts
  • 5-6 Pair Hiking Socks (White cotton running socks will not cut it!)
  • Sewing Kit
  • 2 Large Trash Bags
  • Sleeping Pad (must fit inside your USFS-issued Red Pack)
  • Flashlight, extra batteries
  • Misc. Medication (Decongestant, allergy meds, Alka Seltzer, etc.)
  • Sandals or Comfy Shoes for camp during off-hours
  • Towel and Toiletries
  • Warm Clothes (Insulated Jacket, Sweat Pants, Gloves)
  • Belt
  • Sunglasses
  • Quarters (for showers, laundry, candy...)

Note: All gear must fit inside the packs - nothing is to be hanging from or tied to the outside!

While the above "recommended items" are not required, crewmembers have found that having these items makes their summers a lot easier. Years of fighting fire have proved them to be necessities for many. You are strongly encouraged to bring the recommended items with you!

Other Items You May Find Useful

  • Camelbak (An insulated Camelbak like the 'Hotshot', available at firecache.com will give you cool water almost all day)
  • Boot Insoles (Dr. Scholls-type of thing, with maximum padding. Fire boots aren't renowned for their cushioning)
  • Wicking socks (This is personal preference, but I wear a pair of super-thin Wigwam wicking socks under a pair of Thorlo hiking socks in my boots. And I don't get blisters anymore. It could work for you, too)
  • A good book. Or three (You never know how long you will be stuck on standby)
  • Playing cards, games, walkman, notebook, etc. (see above)
  • Pre-stamped postcards (You'll almost always have a place in or near fire camp to mail these. Cheap way to let the parents / boyfriend / girlfriend how much fun your having)
  • One small pair of shorts (If you are working nights and sleeping days you'll be glad you have them)
  • Gold Bond Powder (For the days in between showers)
  • Disposable Camera (So you don't ruin your nice one)
  • Aluminum Foil (A few pieces to wrap up food and throw in the fire)

Leave At Home:

  • expensive jewelry
  • laptop computers and portable stereos (iPod's and MP3 players with headphones OK)
  • musical instruments
  • anything you'd hate to lose/break/have stolen
  • all alcohol and narcotics!

Remember that all extra clothing should be neutral in theme and tasteful, and not in anyway harassing to any other person's civil rights. This means non-sexist, non-racist, non-homophobic, and so on. Definitely no curse words, derogatory pictures, or slogans implying any of these.