A command post is only as effective as the tools inside it. When an incident escalates and the pressure is on, an Incident Commander shouldn't be hunting for a marker or squinting at an unlabeled map. The right supplies — organized, visible, and ready to go — make the difference between a command post that functions and one that leads.
Here's what belongs in every field command post kit.
High-Visibility ICS Vests
The first job of a command post is establishing who's in charge. ICS vests with color-coded, role-labeled panels do that instantly — no introductions needed. Look for:
- Mesh construction for breathability during extended operations
- Clearly printed role labels — Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance, Safety, PIO
- Multiple pockets for radios, notebooks, and documentation
- One-size-fits-most or adjustable sizing so vests can be shared across personnel
The standard ICS color code: Command = white, Operations = red, Planning = blue, Logistics = green, Finance/Admin = orange, Safety = yellow, PIO = teal. Don't improvise — consistency across agencies is the point.
Dry-Erase Boards and Markers
A whiteboard is the nerve center of any command post. You need at least one large board for situational awareness — resource tracking, incident objectives, division assignments — and ideally a second for the ICS org chart. Key considerations:
- Portable and lightweight for field deployment
- Magnetic surface if you're attaching resource tags or sector markers
- High-quality dry-erase markers in multiple colors — red for priorities, black for structure, blue for resources
- Eraser and spray cleaner because a smudged board is a useless board
Laminated ICS Forms and Field Guides
Paper forms get wet, torn, and lost. Laminated versions of your most-used ICS forms — ICS-201, ICS-202, ICS-204, ICS-211 — hold up in field conditions and can be written on with dry-erase markers and reused across operational periods. Keep a laminated ICS org chart and a resource status board in every kit.
A laminated ICS quick-reference guide is worth its weight — role responsibilities, span of control rules, common terminology, and radio protocol on one card.
Maps and Plotting Tools
Situational awareness lives and dies on good maps. Every command post needs:
- Large-format printed maps of the incident area — topographic and road maps depending on the incident type
- Acetate overlays or clear map covers so you can mark sectors, perimeters, and resource locations without ruining the base map
- Colored markers and grease pencils for plotting
- A compass and scale ruler for field measurement
- GPS unit or tablet with offline maps as a backup
Pre-printed sector grids and standardized map symbols save time when the incident is moving fast.
Radios and Communications Equipment
The command post is the hub of all communications. At minimum, every CP needs:
- Handheld radios for Command and General Staff — one per position
- A programmable radio with access to all tactical and command channels in use
- Extra batteries and a charging station — dead radios end careers
- A written communications plan (ICS-205) posted visibly at the CP
- Headsets or earpieces for noisy environments
Interoperability matters — verify that your radios can reach mutual aid partners before the incident, not during it.
Lighting for Extended Operations
Incidents don't stop at sunset. Command posts operating through the night need reliable, hands-free lighting:
- LED area lights or lanterns for general CP illumination
- Headlamps for individual use — minimum 300 lumens, red-light mode for preserving night vision
- Tactical flashlights for security and perimeter use
- Power banks and generators for extended operations
Battery-powered LED strings work well for illuminating map tables and equipment areas without drawing power from critical systems.
Documentation Supplies
Every decision made at a command post should be documented. A well-stocked CP includes:
- Hardbound or waterproof notebooks for the Incident Commander and each Section Chief
- Pens and pencils — multiple of each, because they disappear
- Printer and paper if power is available — IAPs need to be distributed
- Clipboards for each command position
- Sticky notes and tape for quick callouts on maps and boards
The documentation you keep at the command post becomes your legal record and after-action foundation. Treat it accordingly.
Before You Deploy
A command post kit shouldn't be assembled the morning of an activation. Build it now, keep it stocked, and inspect it after every deployment. The best incident commanders show up with everything they need before anyone asks.
At Response-Depot, we carry the ICS vests, field guides, and command post supplies that serious responders rely on.
Browse our command post gear and be ready before the next call.
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