Tips on firefighter bringing turnout gear

[paylors]

Hi, I was wondering how the volunteer firefighters at Burning Man bring their turnout gear to the event. I'm flying in from Philadelphia and the gear is heavy. I assume that the airlines aren't sympathetic with our cause and would charge us for the extra bag.

My current plan is to box it up and send it over on a theme camp truck.

Yes, it did cross my mind to simply wear the gear on the flight over, but I'm not comfortable attracting that much attention to myself :)

[Boijoy]

I think you should " shirt cock " your gear if they try and charge you for the extra bag.. now THAT would be kewell !!

[phil]

> I was wondering how the volunteer firefighters at Burning Man
> bring their turnout gear to the event.

I assume you're a registered volunteer, and they're expecting you? The organizers may have that answer for you, since it would come up every year.

[klondike_bar]

we dont need firefighters

if the whole place burnt down, it'd just end up going down in history as the greatest burn ever

[Elliot]

Klondike, that is the sort of shooting-from-the-hip attempt at humor that simply does not fly. Please take time to think before you post.
The volunteer emergency folks are heroes, nothing less, for all the time and effort they put into helping the rest of us. Burning Man could not happen without them.

[mdmf007]

Paylors -

We all drive our gear with us - but your right everytime I fly theres little sympathy to boots, helmet, coat, pants, and hoodie taking up a whole bag inistself.

You canmail it pretty cheap to someone but it sounds like you have already figured out a route to get yoiur turnouts there.

Dont bring your good stuff - it will never be the same again.

Also - (after thought) PHIL makes a good point - the days of signing up on playa for ESD are long gone. If your not in the system or getting into the system right now, you may not get a slot with ESD. I just finished my fourth year with ESD and have a blast every year. Great people, great fun, interesting and off the wall calls, and top notch professionals from departments around the nation manage it.

[klondike_bar]

Klondike, that is the sort of shooting-from-the-hip attempt at humor that simply does not fly. Please take time to think before you post.
The volunteer emergency folks are heroes, nothing less, for all the time and effort they put into helping the rest of us. Burning Man could not happen without them.

ah. sorry if my joke was interpreted as negative or sub-par.

I realise that burning man DEFINITELY needs trained professionals to keep it running. whether it be a coffee-server, a ranger, a paremedic, or a fireman, they are all integral at keeping the rest of us alive and in good spirits.

[phil]

> ah. sorry if my joke was interpreted as negative or sub-par

I thought it was hilarious.* But we all get to have our different points of view.

Sometimes our feelings get in the way of humor; we never know what bad feelings a joke will trigger.

EDIT: *Of course, I thought The Gong Show was funny.

[wedeliver]

Klondike, that is the sort of shooting-from-the-hip attempt at humor that simply does not fly. Please take time to think before you post.
The volunteer emergency folks are heroes, nothing less, for all the time and effort they put into helping the rest of us. Burning Man could not happen without them.

ah. sorry if my joke was interpreted as negative or sub-par.

I realise that burning man DEFINITELY needs trained professionals to keep it running. whether it be a coffee-server, a ranger, a paremedic, or a fireman, they are all integral at keeping the rest of us alive and in good spirits.

Just to help emphasize the work some do for BRC. noticed the coffee-server mention along with EmergencyServicesDepartment and thought that some information might help.


ESD’s four branches -- Fire, Medical, Communications, and Mental Health -- employ the integrated fire-service model for command, control, and structure. Nationally recognized standard operating procedures, such as the Incident Command System (ICS), provide a basis for smooth integration with outside and allied agencies to maximize safety and security for participants, volunteers, and Emergency Services personnel. ICS also gives new ESD volunteers a familiar framework, and increases our overall operational efficiency.

EMS logged approximately 2,592 patient contacts this year, with over 213 transports within Black Rock City. That number is equivalent to one EMS response every 48 minutes during the event. Approximately 50% of the total patient volume was for minor injuries. Common medical categories included eye problems (10% of total patients), patient follow-up (8% of total patients), and heat-related injuries (12% of total patients). Of the 38 patients transported to Reno hospitals for additional care, 23 were transported by ground ambulance and 15 by air. Thanks to the huge success of the Ranger Intercept team, vehicle accidents dropped back to their normal average, with a total of six patients suffering injuries related to vehicle accidents.

The Fire Branch and two fire-suppression vendors -- Julie's Water Tenders and Lightning Suppressors -- collectively provide fire engines and fire fighters to three 24-hour fire stations in Black Rock City.

Eight pieces of fire-fighting apparatus stand on duty 24 hours a day in Black Rock City. Four engines are managed and staffed by ESD, and the last three are managed and staffed by our fire vendors. All function seamlessly in the ESD command structure, and ESD is recognized as the leading authority on fire-suppression and tactics within Black Rock City. Additionally, a small hazardous materials cleanup unit remains available to allow us to handle fuel spills and similar problems. New for 2004 was the addition of heavy rescue tools, in case rescue is ever needed for a car, structure, or airplane.

A number of med people coming from the Pacific Northwest stop here on there way, really an amazing bunch of folks. Without them we couldn't do it.

Now how would you like that Latte??

[mdmf007]

Klondike, that is the sort of shooting-from-the-hip attempt at humor that simply does not fly. Please take time to think before you post.
The volunteer emergency folks are heroes, nothing less, for all the time and effort they put into helping the rest of us. Burning Man could not happen without them.

ah. sorry if my joke was interpreted as negative or sub-par.

I realise that burning man DEFINITELY needs trained professionals to keep it running. whether it be a coffee-server, a ranger, a paremedic, or a fireman, they are all integral at keeping the rest of us alive and in good spirits.

Just to help emphasize the work some do for BRC. noticed the coffee-server mention along with EmergencyServicesDepartment and thought that some information might help.


ESD’s four branches -- Fire, Medical, Communications, and Mental Health -- employ the integrated fire-service model for command, control, and structure. Nationally recognized standard operating procedures, such as the Incident Command System (ICS), provide a basis for smooth integration with outside and allied agencies to maximize safety and security for participants, volunteers, and Emergency Services personnel. ICS also gives new ESD volunteers a familiar framework, and increases our overall operational efficiency.

EMS logged approximately 2,592 patient contacts this year, with over 213 transports within Black Rock City. That number is equivalent to one EMS response every 48 minutes during the event. Approximately 50% of the total patient volume was for minor injuries. Common medical categories included eye problems (10% of total patients), patient follow-up (8% of total patients), and heat-related injuries (12% of total patients). Of the 38 patients transported to Reno hospitals for additional care, 23 were transported by ground ambulance and 15 by air. Thanks to the huge success of the Ranger Intercept team, vehicle accidents dropped back to their normal average, with a total of six patients suffering injuries related to vehicle accidents.

The Fire Branch and two fire-suppression vendors -- Julie's Water Tenders and Lightning Suppressors -- collectively provide fire engines and fire fighters to three 24-hour fire stations in Black Rock City.

Eight pieces of fire-fighting apparatus stand on duty 24 hours a day in Black Rock City. Four engines are managed and staffed by ESD, and the last three are managed and staffed by our fire vendors. All function seamlessly in the ESD command structure, and ESD is recognized as the leading authority on fire-suppression and tactics within Black Rock City. Additionally, a small hazardous materials cleanup unit remains available to allow us to handle fuel spills and similar problems. New for 2004 was the addition of heavy rescue tools, in case rescue is ever needed for a car, structure, or airplane.

A number of med people coming from the Pacific Northwest stop here on there way, really an amazing bunch of folks. Without them we couldn't do it.

Now how would you like that Latte??

And those numbers are from 2004 - everything has increased 2008's numbers are pending. The below is cut and pasted from the 2007 Afterburn report.
http://afterburn.burningman.com/07/play ... gency.html


ESD and Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) together logged approximately 4,375 patient contacts in 2007 (down 26% from 2006) with a peak combined patient volume of 754 patients seen on Saturday, September 1. Most of these patients are walk-ins with minor medical issues. Of the event-total patient contacts, 542 (up 23% from 2006) were significant enough to require an ESD EMS unit, REMSA ambulance, or other ESD first responder. That breaks down, on average to one EMS response every 26 minutes during the event. It is interesting to note that despite an overall decrease in total patient volume, EMS "911" responses increased. This resulted in increased workload for the medical staff, as each call usually requires a team response and ties the unit(s) up for 30 to 60 minutes.

Approximately 60% of the total patient volume involved minor injuries such as blisters or cuts. Other common patient categories included eye problems (8% of total patients), dehydration (11%), and patient care follow-up (5%). The remaining 16% of the total patient volume comprised of all other medical categories, including lacerations requiring sutures, allergies/insect bites, burns, and urinary tract infections (each representing 2-3% of the overall total patient volume).

The numbers for alcohol- and drug-related patients, were remarkably low for an event of this size. 2007 showed the largest spike in drug-related patients ever in the history of the event (79 total, up 400% from 2006) and a decrease in alcohol-related patients (19 total, down 45% from 2006). These numbers do not necessarily represent overdoses, only patients for whom drugs or alcohol were the primary reason for seeking medical care.

Of the 67 patients transported (an increase of 29% from 2006) to Reno hospitals for additional care in 2007, 41 were stable patients transported by ground ambulance, and 26 were flown out by helicopter.

There was one fatality this year during the event, which was determined a suicide.

Mental Health Branch, Fire Branch, and Emergency Dispatch Reports

The Mental Health Branch responded to 43 calls in 2007, which is a 30% increase over the total calls for service in 2006. The breakdown by case type includes 17 psychiatric clients, five domestic violence -related cases, 10 sexual assault cases and four 'Legal 2000' evaluations (to determine if there is a danger to self or to others as a result of a mental illness). Additionally there were seven other calls for evaluations or client follow-up. The Mental Health support team was deployed one time, in response to the suicide.


The Fire Branch responded to 40 fire-related calls for service, seven of which were significant fire responses. These significant calls are broken down as follows: two building fires, two trailer fires, one plane fire, one car fire and the "early burn" fire. One of the trailer fires and the "early man" burn are both considered arson cases, and are being investigated by the Pershing County Sheriff's Office. The two building fires were electrical fires that were quickly isolated, and both of the trailer fires were fully involved fires resulting in the destruction of property. There were no significant injuries resulting from any of the fires. Other calls types include evaluations of various planned and unscheduled burns for safety, performance support, hazard mitigation, vehicle accident response, and extinguishment of small fires that may be unsafe, such as an abandoned active burn barrel during high wind conditions.

The ESD Emergency Dispatch center handled 799 calls for service in 2007, an increase of 22% from 2006. Call types include everything from requests for traffic control or public assistance to fire and emergency medical calls. The total number of calls average is one new logged dispatch incident once every 18 minutes during the event. In addition to new calls, dispatchers have the task of managing initial requests for Black Rock Ranger response, all currently active ESD calls, and all of the ESD response units in the field, which during peak hours can be as high as 30 EMS, Fire, Mental Health, and leadership resources.

For more information about ESD please refer to the ESD history page and the ESD sub-domain at http://911.burningman.com.

Written and submitted by:
Joseph Pred, Emergency Services Operations Chief
Contributors:
David Barr, Plans Chief
Anna Duffy, Mental Health Branch Chief
Russ Kane, Fire Branch Chief
Dave Spencer, Communications Branch IT Group Chief

[Elliot]

Very cool, guys! I was impressed with the fire fighting ... uh... fire power when you guys put out the arson fire of the Man in 2007. Considering all the tents and such flamables, effective fire suppression is a must, and we have it. Thanks!

[wedeliver]

Very cool, Wedeliver! I was impressed with the fire fighting ... uh... fire power when you guys put out the arson fire of the Man in 2007. Considering all the tents and such flamables, effective fire suppression is a must, and we have it. Thanks!

You guys, wish it was me... I serve the coffee..
But I'm with you Elliot, that was a fucking ripping trip, eclipse, mind eclipse, man burning bright lights, flashing light.

that night I was waking people up at 3:30 with my megaphone to come look at the moon, little did we know... what was to happen next. But there was a certain buzz kill after the excitement left, I think caused by the bright lights that were turned on the man... I mean these folks, our fellow burners are a bunch of fucking professional people who work real time both away from BRC and when they are home (brc)

[gyre]

The mental health branch.....for or against?

[wedeliver]

The mental health branch.....for or against?

Yes, I am for and against any kind of mental health. I agree completely.

[phil]

> Considering all the tents and such flamables, effective fire
> suppression is a must, and we have it.

The only tent fire at BM that I've heard of was when a BRC ranger lit a tiki torch in her tent. Oddly enough, her tent caught fire. Sigh.

[paylors]

Thanks for all of your replies, pleasantly surprised to see so many of them.

I will forward on that statement about the number and types of calls to my chief as well, that was interesting!

In reply to mdmf007, my application hasn't been started yet, but I've been in contact with the volunteer recruitment office. Yes, I knew I had to apply and be approved beforehand.

I did ask them about bringing the gear, but I think my question was misunderstood and I didn't get any tips about bringing the gear. Perhaps there are none; I know a lot of volunteers are able to drive in, and that makes this sort of thing easy.

It's a particular challenge to attend Burning Man with only fifty pounds of gear (I did a great job last year imho).

One idea I had was to wear the heavy boots on the flight, and try to bring the helmet as a personal carry-on item. That would be less of a spectacle than wearing all of the gear. I haven't weighed my turnout coat & pants yet, but I might be able to take them with me. They will be lighter when/if I remove items like flashlights, bailout ropes, etc.

[oneeyeddick]

If you want to mail your gear, I would take it in for you, I live in Reno and have plenty of room to help you out........
I arrive early and leave late every year

PM me if'n you need the help

[theCryptofishist]

The mental health branch.....for or against?

For for for. They have to deal wiht some of the ugliest realities of the dark underbelly of the playa. Rape, domestic violence, death. They were at Kathy Lampman's Camp on the day of the burn in 03, and at Comfort and Joy in 07, after the suicide.

They effectively invisible, but so fucking important.

[Sail Man]

They effectively invisible, but so fucking important.

Hear ye, Hear ye!

What goes on at BRC is not unlike any other city of 50,000-ish and it's vital to have services such as mental health, i.e. social services. Especially with so much more shit being fueled by alcohol and drugs. Social Workers provide that calm voice in the storm.