Volunteering for BRCEMS

SilentCypher · Post by **SilentCypher** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:35 am

Hey everybody.

I have been fascinated by burning man ever since I started reading the sites about it a while back. For the longest time, I thought it was some drug induced hippie fest out in the desert, but I have seen through the web sites that it is somthing totally differnt, and I would love to give it a try.

I am not going to make it for 04, but me and my wonderfull girlfriend are trying to get plans together for 05. I have some questions about BRCEMS, and voulunteering for it.

I have read that BM is only wheat everyone makes it, and that if it wernt for the help of people and thier time, none of this would happen. I am a fire fighter, and a certified EMT. I just had a few questions about how it works out, and a couple of BM virginish questions.

My EMT cert is not in NV, can I still 'practice' at BM?

Is there an orginized 'Fire Department' with members, or is it less formal?

Is there shifts of some sort to be worked, or is it just come and go as you pelase?

And one last question, more of a generalized question. The way to go seems to be in a camp where you can share responsibilites and resources. The thought of a camp with a make shift kitchen and shower area is a nice idea, but how does one go about getting into a camp? I may be totally off base, and its just as easy to go on your own, im not sure, but any advice that could be offered would be greatly appreciated.

I was going to email the officials, but im sure at this point they are overwhelmed with this years preperations, and I figured I would give these boards a shot.

Look foward to hearing back from everyone.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:16 am

My friend's dad does the EMT thing at Burning Man, so if no one's responded to this by the time I get home from work, I'll check in on how that works for you.

As for camping, I find that I very much prefer to be with a group, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with camping alone. If you really want to join a group, the first thing I'd recommend is trying to find a themecamp from your general area. If that doesn't work, then keep an eye on the boards. I'm always seeing posts about how themecamps are looking for more campers. I think the firefighters have a camp as well, and if you're a firefighter, you may be a part of that (don't quote me on that though, cause I've only known a couple of the fire guys in my time).

I think it's great that you want to spend your first year volunteering, and I wish you all the best luck in making down in 05.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:27 am

I have read that BM is only wheat everyone makes it, and that if it wernt for the help of people and thier time, none of this would happen. I am a fire fighter, and a certified EMT. I just had a few questions about how it works out, and a couple of BM virginish questions.

My EMT cert is not in NV, can I still 'practice' at BM?

Is there an orginized 'Fire Department' with members, or is it less formal?

Is there shifts of some sort to be worked, or is it just come and go as you pelase?

You'll want to get in touch with Joseph Pred: [email protected]

He may have left fot the playa already. This is sort of 11th hour stuff and I wouldn't be surprised if he asked that you re-submit for next year. Still, give him a try but don't feel too bad if he says he can't use your services this year. As to your other questions, the EMS?fire folks are pretty damn organized and make preps for the playa MONTHS in advance. There's no real place where they hang out as most are part of the citizenry and are spread throughout BRC.

Drop Joseph a line and see what he says.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 9:02 am

Joseph Pred is definately gone-to-playa.
I believe the op was talking about 05. E-mail him anyway.
Iso is right about the months in advance, the "Core Group" meets all year round.
There are two Emergency Services Department (ESD) camps, Fire Camp and Medical Camp. One on each of the smaller plazas. (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock). Fire is at three and I camped there. The firefighters are great, and if you showed up and started talking they would accept you as a member of the "brotherhood." And let you hang out. (whoops, you're not going at all this year--so you don't have to lay that groundwork. I'm leaving it in as bigger information for other reading this thread.) There are formal shifts--8 hours last year and all department members are expect to work on Saturday. If you haven't contacted the department and are heading to the playa this year, bring a copy of your certs and they MAY let you work. The standard for medics is an EMT with at least one years 911 experience.
To get into a camp, go to the main website go to the theme camp site and e-mail the contact. If you e-mail [email protected] post event just ask and then remember to make arrangements for camping next spring or summer.
I'm being a little muddled right now, sorry.
Feel free to pm me or to ask further questions in this thread. I've been an ESD member for 2 years and am marrying a Core Group member on-playa this year. The answers I give will be informed but not official.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:33 am

theCryptofishist wrote:If you haven't contacted the department and are heading to the playa this year, bring a copy of your certs and they MAY let you work.

My bad. the cut off is August 1st. This allows time to verify the certifications. Any Medics and Firefighters heading up to the playa this year and wishing to work next year should still check in with the department and get a feel for how we work.