The 48-hour standard. Pre-position before you need it.

3.1 The 48-hour standard and scenario tiers

Every function in the group must be able to operate for the first 48 hours of any activation without resupply. Set distinct floor levels for three scenario tiers:

• Tier 1: 72-hour event (short-duration, local disruption). Start fully stocked here.
• Tier 2: 2-week event (extended disruption, partial infrastructure loss). Work toward this.
• Tier 3: 30-day event (major infrastructure loss, no external resupply). Plan this on paper; close the gap each audit.

3.2 Item categories and how each is tracked

3.3 T-cards: physical tracking for accountable items

A T-card is a physical index card — one per accountable item — stored in a visible rack. It shows the status of every high-value item at a glance without any technology. The system works during a power outage, during activation, and when the spreadsheet is unavailable.

The name comes from ICS Form 219, used by incident logistics personnel on large-scale emergencies. The principle is identical: one card per item, updated every time the item moves, audited on a schedule. Form-fillable PDF templates and a full color reference are on the T-Card Templates page. Pre-printed cards are available from IMT Gear.

3.3a T-card color coding — asset categories

Standard ICS-219 T-cards are commercially available in multiple colors. The MAG system repurposes the ICS color family for asset categories. Use gray header cards to label each rack section. Download MAG logistics form-fillable T-card PDFs: T-Card Templates. Purchase pre-printed cards: IMT Gear — ICS-219 T-Cards & Racks.

3.4 Cache organization by function

3.5 Physical cache setup rules

• Designated receiving and issue points. Never the same location during activation.
• Security and access control. Physical locks. Access restricted to logistics lead and alternates per Section 7.
• Safety. Fuel stored separately from food and medical. Spill containment. Fire extinguisher within reach of fuel area.
• Separation of consumables and accountables. Do not co-mingle bulk stock with serialized items.
• Labeling. Every area labeled with functional category and item list. Printed labels only — handwriting fades.
• Layout for navigation. A member who has never been to the cache orients in under 60 seconds. Post a layout diagram inside the cache entrance.

3.6 Floor level calculation

3.7 Rotation: FIFO and why it matters

FIFO (First In, First Out): the item in storage the longest is used first. New stock goes to the back. Old stock comes out first. This is the only method that prevents expiration from accumulating invisibly.

• When new stock arrives, move existing stock forward and place new stock behind it.
• Mark every consumable with the date placed in storage, not just the manufacturer expiration date.
• At monthly walkthrough, pull any item within 90 days of expiration into rotation — use it, replace with fresh stock.
• Fuel: rotate every 6 months untreated, every 12–18 months treated. Log the stabilizer date.
• Medications: follow the medical lead’s rotation protocol. Expiration is a medical judgment, not a logistics one.

Organize by function. Set floors from real numbers. T-card every accountable item.

The drill below combines classroom prep with a physical cache walkthrough. Every accountable item leaves the audit session with a T-card. Every consumable leaves with a documented floor level and a reorder trigger.