I think the lack of fire gear and water purification simply comes down to this - "where would we use them?" I know here in NYC there is almost no natural water sources left - a few lakes in the big parks, but that's about it, unless you are in the FAR outer edges. And for fire - they just don't see a place - what are you going to do, build a fire on the street corner?

Basically, they are not worried about TEOTWAWKI - more about getting home. I carry WATER (but not water purification) and fire making gear. I figure I can be home before I'm out of what I have...