Yoda, I just saw your post. Give me some time to think about it. It's been many years and I'm not sure if my memory is good enough to list everything we thought was important back then. That and the fact that some of the stuff we carried back then is probably obsolete. I applaud you for your interest. Gives me hope for the next generation. Keep up the good work.

Yoda, here is the NASAR official list of stuff for your 24 hour ready pack.
http://www.nasar.org/nasar/downloads/NASAR_SARTECHTM_II_MINIMUM_PERSONAL...
They state on this site what is mandatory and what is recommended according to their standards. I am not going to be so bold as to argue with NASAR standards.
That being said, I would make further recommendations on certain items they require.
For Space type blanket or space type sleeping bag get the real space blanket, the one that is gold on one side and silver on the other. I have used some of the cheaper brands and was, shall we say, “unsatisfied” with their performance.
For the whistle, the Storm brand was rated by several comparisons as the loudest whistle there is.
For scissors, multipurpose, get some real EMT shears, consult EMT magazines for those.
For the stove, the ESBIT style stove packs easier than a sterno and the trioxane fuel tabs, although considered noxious by some in an enclosed area (it's not bad outside in open air) is much easier to pack.
Foods, I recommend MREs
Compass, A Silva Ranger if you don't have a real military compass, not a Korean or whatever knockoff "military style" they call it. Use the real thing. But the Silva should be cheaper
For twine or rope, get real paracord 50 feet, nothing beats it for strength or durability
For glass mirrors, if it is for signaling, try to get the real glass USAF model, it is durable and more highly reflective than either metal or knockoff versions
They mandate Acetaminophen or aspirin tablets. I recommend both. Aspirin is essential if your victim or member of your team has a heart attack. Acetaminophen will NOT help anyone having a heart attack and an aspirin may save their life. For other aches and pains acetaminophen will work fine. Also I carry ibuprofen (advil) as I take it every day for my arthritis.
If you have read any of my other posts you know I don't carry matches. That is my preference only. I would recommend if you carry matches as they require get some windproof, waterproof matches.
Please do not think that I’m being critical of their list. But I use all of the things that I have mentioned that are on their list and have tested all of the items I list. These items in my opinion are worth any extra expense.
I have a list of other things that I also would take with me anytime I go into the boonies. But those are not necessarily needed at this stage.
All that being said, I was doing SAR under different conditions than you will be.(At least I hope so.) It was in the Army and under, shall we say, less than ideal conditions, long years ago and far away. I have not kept current with what the techniques now used and any changes over the last 20-25years. After I hit 40, I found that there was a lot I could no longer do. I have found out that I break now when I fall.
Thank you for desire to do this, we need more young people to step up to the plate and provide this kind of service to their fellow man.

As usual Bo , experience is the best teacher . I too did SAR {civilian} when the teams were first formed in Eastern Canada in the late 60`s We made all the mistakes and learned. The manuals today are the result of that experience. One thing I always have my pack is a small pot made from a can (3lb Crisco, still have it in use!) I always hated trying to cook or boil water for tea with an aluminium foil substitute!