Required Gear Lists
To be an active member of the TPD Volunteer Response Team, every volunteer must be properly equipped to ensure safety, readiness, and effectiveness in the field. Below you’ll find a breakdown of mandatory apparel, firearms requirements, vehicle standards, optional ATV/trailer equipment, and essential personal gear.
This checklist covers multiple facets of preparedness — from personal safety to vehicle reliability — so that every team member can respond with confidence.
Mandatory Apparel
Every team member is required to maintain the following apparel items:
Eberlestock Bino Harness or Fanny Pack
TPD SAR T-Shirt or Hoodie
OD Green Cargo Pants
Black Muck Boots and/or Military-Style Black/Brown Safety-Toe Boots
Rigging Belt / EDC Belt
Waders (Yellow or Orange, optional)
Merino Wool or Smart Wool Socks
Rain Jacket / Windbreaker
Generic Black Hat or TPD Hat
Personnel Equipment Checklist
Each team member must maintain a personal gear kit for deployments:
Flares
Handheld searchlight, flashlights, headlamps
Extra batteries, chargers, and cords
NV/Thermal handheld units (optional)
Chainsaw (with spare chains, bar oil, mixed fuel, batteries if applicable)
Chainsaw Chaps
Work gloves & nitrile gloves
Bear spray or pepper gel (optional)
Concealed firearm (Glock 19, 43X, or Sig Macro only; must be approved by Team Leader) (optional)
Orange Milwaukee Type 2 Class C Helmet (48-73-1312) (optional)
Heavy-duty contractor trash bags
Luggable Loo with bags & toilet paper
Watch, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, utensils
Bail-out bag (fully stocked, separate from required gear)
Personal cooking stove with fuel
TPD SAR Medical Kit
Dust mask / N95
Pocket knife or rescue knife
Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tarp, air mattress, or cot
Vehicle Checklist
All deployment-ready vehicles must meet the following requirements:
DOT-Approved Amber Strobes (front & rear)
GMRS Radio (driver or passenger)
Self-Rescue Gear: spare tire, 4x4 jack, winch, recovery boards, recovery straps
Minimum 5 gallons of personal-use fuel
Sleeping arrangement inside vehicle only (see banned list)
Up-to-date maintenance (visual inspection required by TPD)
Dedicated Truck Medical Kit (separate from SAR Kit)
Fire extinguisher
Refuel at every stop, regardless of tank status
Portable battery jump pack
Need help with equipment or installation? Contact Max Witty at 770-427-9840 or maxwellw@totaloffroad.com
Firearms (CCW) Requirements
Carrying a concealed firearm during deployments is optional, but if you choose to do so, the following applies:
Pass the Georgia state qualification course (one of three options available).
Provide instructor documentation of a passed course prior to carrying.
Retired/Non-active LE/MIL must provide a recent qualification.
Exemptions: Current P.O.S.T. Certified Officers and Active-Duty Military.
Approved Firearms:
Glock 19 (any generation)
Sig P365 Macro or Fuse
Glock 43X
Need an instructor? Contact Todd Droege at 770-856-1900 or tsdroege@comcast.net
ATV Equipment & Trailer (Optional)
For those with ATV/UTV capability:
ATV Requirements:
Newer condition (inspection & approval required)
Extra personal fuel
All-terrain or mud tires (4x4 only)
Red or Amber Whip Lighting
GMRS radio (onboard or rider-carried)
Safety equipment: helmet, glasses, cold-weather gear
Recovery gear & onboard medical kit
Winch
Trailer Requirements:
Newer condition
At least one spare tire (for both trailer & ATV)
Functioning brake lights & turn signals
All lights operational on both trailer and ATV
⚠️ Note: All gear will be verified by TPD leadership prior to deployment. Staying mission-ready is not only for your safety, but for the safety of the entire team and the communities we serve.
