Red Crosser Nicole Robicheau discusses the importance of being prepared when deployed to respond to an emergency here at home or abroad. Here is a Q&A with the international traveler:
Where have you been deployed and what has been your longest deployment?
I was deployed to Haiti after the earthquake, to Sierra Leone for a cholera outbreak, to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan and most recently to Bosnia and Herzegovina after massive flooding. I was also in Alberta last year after the flooding there. My missions are usually short, from 4 to 6 weeks as I'm trained in short-term emergency response missions.
Did you get any advice or expert input when you first had to pack a bag for deployment?
I did, and sometimes if I'm lucky there are delegates who have been deployed before me that I can ask for advice on what to bring to a specific place/context. I'm also trained to deploy with the Canadian Red Cross ERU (Emergency Response Unit). We're sent out with a personal kit to ensure we have all the basic things we may need going into a context where infrastructure has been heavily damaged and there aren't items readily available. The kit has most things you would need in a situation like that, but depending on where I'm going, and into what kind of environment, I may take away some of the items in the kit.
What are your essentials for packing when deployed?
Since I just came back from a flood operation, I have water on my mind! Rubber boots and waterproof hiking shoes, a rain coat, waterproof bag, umbrella, and a waterproof notepad and pen. Also, a hat, first aid kit, earplugs, MREs, a pillow, a mosquito net, granola bars, a leatherman, bug spray, a water purification unit, sunscreen, a flashlight, a sleeping bag and small pillow, a quick drying towel and clothes. Basically lots of things you could take on a camping trip! As I usually do communications work, I also bring a laptop, SLR camera and a smart phone.
I also always bring a Red Cross vest with me, for visibility.
What items of use did you pick up along the way?
Everything I forget! I've had to buy chargers and adapters for different electrical outlets in the past. I try to keep all of my mission things together now, and it definitely helps with not forgetting things. Because we have to be ready to deploy within 24 to 48 hours of an emergency, it also makes it much faster to get ready when everything is all together in one place.
What has been a 'lifesaver'-type of item you had with you?
Ziploc bags! I always bring a bunch. They're good for organizing and keeping things dry.
I also always bring coffee and a coffee press just in case. It's also a good way to make new friends :)
Why are certain items important?
It's just always better to be prepared, to just assume that you may not find anything readily available once you are there. I do sometimes bring duct tape too, as well as extra batteries, for example, because you may not be able to find them locally. It gets easier the more missions you do, you become good at predicting what you may need. More often than not, I bring things that I don't use but if I did happen to need them, it would be a lifesaver to have them. Preparation is key!
Where have you been deployed and what has been your longest deployment?
I was deployed to Haiti after the earthquake, to Sierra Leone for a cholera outbreak, to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan and most recently to Bosnia and Herzegovina after massive flooding. I was also in Alberta last year after the flooding there. My missions are usually short, from 4 to 6 weeks as I'm trained in short-term emergency response missions.
Did you get any advice or expert input when you first had to pack a bag for deployment?
I did, and sometimes if I'm lucky there are delegates who have been deployed before me that I can ask for advice on what to bring to a specific place/context. I'm also trained to deploy with the Canadian Red Cross ERU (Emergency Response Unit). We're sent out with a personal kit to ensure we have all the basic things we may need going into a context where infrastructure has been heavily damaged and there aren't items readily available. The kit has most things you would need in a situation like that, but depending on where I'm going, and into what kind of environment, I may take away some of the items in the kit.
Nicole shares a picture of what she packed for her most recent deployment /photo courtesy of N.Robicheau
What are your essentials for packing when deployed?
Since I just came back from a flood operation, I have water on my mind! Rubber boots and waterproof hiking shoes, a rain coat, waterproof bag, umbrella, and a waterproof notepad and pen. Also, a hat, first aid kit, earplugs, MREs, a pillow, a mosquito net, granola bars, a leatherman, bug spray, a water purification unit, sunscreen, a flashlight, a sleeping bag and small pillow, a quick drying towel and clothes. Basically lots of things you could take on a camping trip! As I usually do communications work, I also bring a laptop, SLR camera and a smart phone.
I also always bring a Red Cross vest with me, for visibility.
What items of use did you pick up along the way?
Everything I forget! I've had to buy chargers and adapters for different electrical outlets in the past. I try to keep all of my mission things together now, and it definitely helps with not forgetting things. Because we have to be ready to deploy within 24 to 48 hours of an emergency, it also makes it much faster to get ready when everything is all together in one place.
What has been a 'lifesaver'-type of item you had with you?
Ziploc bags! I always bring a bunch. They're good for organizing and keeping things dry.
I also always bring coffee and a coffee press just in case. It's also a good way to make new friends :)
Why are certain items important?
It's just always better to be prepared, to just assume that you may not find anything readily available once you are there. I do sometimes bring duct tape too, as well as extra batteries, for example, because you may not be able to find them locally. It gets easier the more missions you do, you become good at predicting what you may need. More often than not, I bring things that I don't use but if I did happen to need them, it would be a lifesaver to have them. Preparation is key!
