Friday, July 8, 2016

The Jackrabbit Speaks V20:#20:7.8.16 Health & Safety Edition

Volume 20, Issue #20 Health & Safety Edition | July 8, 2016 Special Edition | Preparation

HEALTH & SAFETY AT BURNING MAN

You're Sick or Hurt at Burning Man. Now What?

Did You Know It Costs $30,000 if You Get Transported Off Playa Via Helicopter?!?

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

Health Permits Are Required

Consent: Making it Right for Everyone in BRC

Black Rock Rangers

The Family Unification Network (FUN)

Weather or Not It Rains

Lasers and Laser Safety

Sending and Receiving Emergency Messages on Playa

H.A.L.T.

We Need Crutches!

Get Showered With ... WHAT?!? Ewwww, Gross.

Structural Safety: Designing & Building a Structure at Burning Man

Burn Night Blue Light Special: Get Help When You Need It

Carry Your ID on Playa

You Remembered a Spare Key, Right?

Looking for Someone Missing on Playa?

Adopt-an-Intersection

Two-Way Radios & Frequency Coordination

“911” Service in Black Rock City ... Now With Art Support!

More Questions?

GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY RIDE!

FROM DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Welcome to the first of this year's Jackrabbit Speaks Preparation Editions — today's is Health and Safety! It's long, but it's important!

Burning Man sure is fun! Getting ill or injured, well ... not so fun. And here's the thing to keep in mind about the Black Rock Desert: it's one of the most strikingly beautiful and utterly ethereal locations in the world that will ever try to kill you.

OK, maybe we're getting a little dramatic. But not really ... because it's true. So listen up, folks.

In the spirit of Radical Self-Reliance, Burning Man provides the essential safety infrastructure to take care of our citizens, but ultimately the responsibility for your personal health and safety falls to YOU.

In this JRS, we've got everything you need to know about taking care of yourself and what services are available, should the need arise. Plus some other interesting, important (and even esoteric!) safety information.

The Man burns in 57 days!

PREPAR FOR BURNING MAN

You're Sick or Hurt at Burning Man. Now What?

Q: What should I do if I get hurt or sick on the playa?

A: We hope, of course, you won't get sick or hurt ... but being radically self-reliant also means remembering to bring a first aid kit for treating yourself or your campmates for minor injuries. Be sure to bring one! If you run out of bandaids, vinegar, tampons, etc. your neighbors can help, and our emergency services people can help, but you should have a meaty stash of first aid supplies on hand when you arrive on playa.

Sorry — did you say vinegar? Yes!! One of the top complaints is playa foot. This is your skin's response to the alkali conditions, and it's not fun. A soak in a 4:1 water to vinegar mix for 20 minutes each day will help this.

Q: What if my injury or sickness can’t be managed in my camp with our own first aid kit?

A: Should your illness or injury be more severe than you can manage without help, there are Emergency Services Department (ESD) medical stations. Along with the medical stations at the 3 & C and 9 & C plazas, we also have smaller satellite stations at 4:30 & H and 7:30 & H plazas, and another out near the Temple. ESD and the Rampart Urgent Care Clinic are now co-located at the existing 5:15 and Esplanade site. Look for the large red crosses on all six of these medical aid stations.

Any Ranger (look for the khaki shirts) or ESD (look for the yellow shirts) staff, or really ANYONE you see with a radio can help you in finding the right care. Remember that all care (medical and otherwise) at BRC is non-judgmental — we are not the morality patrol.

Q: What if they can't manage my problem?

A: If the on-site medical providers feel that you have a medical emergency that requires a higher level of care than can be provided on the playa, you may need to visit a hospital in Reno. This may require transport by an ambulance, plane or helicopter. Things to remember if this happens:

  • Bring your ID, insurance card, cell phone and wallet when you go.
  • Ask to sign a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) form. This will give us permission to tell your friends and family where you went. If you don’t sign this, we can’t tell nobody nuthin’.
  • You'll need to arrange for a friend to pick you up after your hospital visit; there are no shuttles from the hospitals back to the playa.

Q: Is there a clinic in Gerlach?

A: No. Your closest point of care for those coming or going East (depending on which route you take) is Pershing General Hospital in Lovelock, Nevada. Westbound your choices are more plentiful with several hospitals in Reno.

Q: Where can I get a prescription filled?

A: Bring an adequate supply of your medications (even the ones you rarely use when at home), plus a little extra in case your departure is delayed, because there is no pharmacy on playa. If you need to get a prescription refilled, the closest pharmacies are in Fernley or Reno, but that’s gonna be tough because unless you’re a local Nevadan, that prescription can’t be so easily filled just anywhere. Bring your meds. And bring them in their original prescription containers in order to avoid BLM citations.

Q: Is there anything else I can do to prepare ahead of time? 

A:  In addition to putting together your first aid kit, make sure you update your tetanus shot before you head to the playa. One shot now can prevent a lot of costly and potentially deadly complications later. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, or can't remember the last time you got one, visit your doctor or local pharmacist to get it updated before you arrive on playa.

Did You Know It Costs $30,000 if You Get Transported Off Playa Via Helicopter?!?

The most expensive ride on the playa is the one you never want to take: an emergency medical transport to one of the Reno hospitals. Even if you have insurance, it still might leave you with a bill for several thousand dollars since most insurance doesn't cover 100% of  medical costs. Of course it is considerably worse if you have no insurance at all!

Every year, it seems, we hear a story or two of a Burner who gets airlifted off playa only to practically need to be resuscitated again when they receive their bill months later. Given that only an unlucky few get airlifted each year, chances are good you'll never need it, but if you have a complicated pre-existing condition or you are a good little scout and believe in preparedness, it's worth considering the SaveAir Membership that American Medflight offers.

This membership program ensures $0 out of pocket expenses if you have insurance and the transport is critical. If you have no insurance or if you are transported for non-critical injuries, the membership reduces your cost to a fraction of the normal rate. Even better, American Medflight makes this program available for Burners at a huge discount: only $25 — a steal at twice that price!

And since we hope to use this air ambulance instead of ground transport (the cost of transport is about the same, but a plane takes about 20 minutes to get you to Reno), this membership is a win. See their website for all the details and fine print.

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

Who knew, right? In a landscape that appears devoid of obvious life forms, we do get bugs at times. Water in Gerlach can host mosquitoes and so, the potential for West Nile Virus does exist. In 2015, we saw an invasion of beetles prior to the event. So what shall you do? Be radically self-reliant. Bring and wear insect repellent.

Health Permits Are Required

Want to cook for a crowd? Thinking about handing out snow cones or smoothies or offering a butter-and-syrup-slathered pancake stack? In order to fight the threat of foodborne illness on the playa, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (NDPBH) has requirements for camps serving food or beverages, including the need of a health permit and an inspection. You must apply to the NDPBH and be permitted as a Temporary Food Establishment if:

  • You wish to share, cook or serve food or non-alcoholic beverages to the general Burning Man population (gifting food).
  • You will be cooking or serving food to more than 125 fellow campers in your (theme) camp.

If you have a communal kitchen shared by 125 or more campers, but meals are prepared individually, or in smaller quantities than for 125 persons, a permit is not required. However we highly recommend you research and review  Burning Man Food Safety Requirements and the Burning Man Checklist found on the NDPBH website’s information page.

PERMIT APPLICATION:

If you plan to prepare and give away food or drinks to the public on the playa, including fresh squeezed juice, coffee with dairy, or even snow cones, you need a permit. Here's the scoop:

The only application any camp needs is the "Burning Man Temporary Food Establishment Application" which can be found on the NDPBH website. Look for the Burning Man links for specific forms and information near the middle of the page.

DEADLINES:

By mail:
Applications must be received by AUGUST 16, 2016
Mailing Address:
NDPBH – EHS
475 West Haskell Street, Suite 38
Winnemucca, NV 89445

In person:
No later than FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016
Office Locations:
4150 Technology Way, Suite 100, Carson City, NV.  Phone: (775) 687-7550 or
475 West Haskell Street, Suite 38, Winnemucca, NV.  Phone (775) 623-6588

Don't wait until the last minute. It would be a shame to have to cancel your plans!

PICKING UP THE PERMIT:

Once your application is approved, you will receive written notification of approval. However, you must pick up the permit at the event. You will need to pick up the food permit at Playa Info in Center Camp during the following days:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 THROUGH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 FROM 1-2:30 PM

We will also provide early-extended hours- SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 AND MONDAY, AUGUST 29 FROM 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

They do this so that we can get an accurate camp location from which to do inspections. They are NOT issuing new permits at Playa Info so do it soon!

IMPORTANT: LAST YEAR A NUMBER OF CAMPS DID NOT PICK UP THEIR PERMIT AT PLAYA INFO AND COULD NOT BE LOCATED FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT HAVING YOUR ACTUAL PERMIT ON HAND IS THE SAME AS NOT BEING PERMITTED. DON'T BE SHUT DOWN. YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR PERMIT AND BE INSPECTED TO BE IN COMPLIANCE.

FAQ About the Application:

  • Event Coordinator: The event coordinator is “Burning Man”.
  • Location: List the location of the camp using the cross-streets (i.e. 3:30 + L). If you are a placed camp, you will know your location, but if you do not have a set location, it is fine to leave the location blank.
  • Source: The “source” of the food is the location where you purchase your food or ingredients (i.e. the name of the grocery store).
  • Fee: $50 USD payment. If you are sending a check or money order from another country please be sure to account for any exchange rate and/or make the payment in USD (United States Dollars/US currency).
  • Permit Information and Exemptions: Permit information and a list of exempted foods and drinks which can be served without a permit are noted in the “Information for Temporary Food Establishment Permit at Burning Man (pdf)” document on the website.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Please contact the NDPBH at (775) 623-6588 or email ekunz@health.nv.gov

Consent: Making it Right for Everyone in BRC

Burning Man is committed to making our city safe. We are family in Black Rock City, and we always need to take care of our own. If someone needs a hand, we give it. If someone is getting a little out-there, we steer them towards safety. And if someone is sharing themselves in a way that makes someone else uncomfortable, we let that sharer know it’s about time to back off and go someplace else. Yes means yes, and no means no, maybe means no, drunk does not mean yes, and neither does naked or altered. So if you see someone being treated any way but wonderfully, step in and be an advocate. Please read the consent flyer in your Greeter packet.

The Bureau of Erotic Discourse (B.E.D.) is a committed group of participants who promote positive change in the Burning Man community using posters, workshops, outreach and dialog on consent, sex and sexual assault prevention. Emergency Services (ESD) is also here to help, offering medical professionals as well as an experienced group of mental health professionals called the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). We are working closely with the Zendo Project to make sure we have even more resources available should one of our citizens find themselves struggling.

We are all about safety and reducing harm. Know where the safety resources are BEFORE you go out into the city to enjoy. Any ESD station (the red crosses on your city map and the lit up red crosses around the city at night) can assist you. Heck, find anyone with a radio and they will make sure you get the help you need.

Black Rock Rangers

In addition to the Emergency Services Department, the Black Rock Rangers play an important role in our community safety. The Black Rock Rangers are a volunteer organization dedicated to the safety of the citizens of Black Rock City and its environs. The Rangers are a broad cross-section of the Burning Man community who volunteer some of their time as non-confrontational community mediators. They address safety concerns, mediate disputes and resolve conflicts when they cannot be resolved by the persons involved.

Rangers are available to any BRC citizen who needs their help and can be found patrolling the city, in the area around the base of the Man, at Ranger HQ near Center Camp, and at the Ranger Outposts located in the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock plazas, directly across from the ESD stations. Rangers can be identified by their khaki-colored costumes with a Black Rock Ranger logo on the back.

Rangers rely on the Burning Man community to help them do their jobs; there are a lot more participants than there are Rangers and you, too, are the eyes and ears of safety in Black Rock City. Here are a few FAQs on accessing the Rangers as a resource (and ways that you can help):

Q: What should you do if you lose your child in Black Rock City?

A: Parents who have become separated from their child should find a Ranger (either at a Ranger Outpost, Ranger HQ, or a pair patrolling the city), who will report the child as missing. That information then goes out to all the Rangers patrolling Black Rock City.

Q: What should you do if you find a child who cant find their parents?

A: Ask the child to come with you and a friend to a Ranger Outpost or Ranger HQ, and once you get there, the Rangers will relay the information about the child and the parents to all the Rangers patrolling Black Rock City (and probably offer to give you a big hug for helping out!).

Q: What if Im having a dispute with a neighbor or a campmate that I cant resolve?

A: The Rangers are happy to listen to everyone involved in a difficult situation and will work to help you come to a solution that you can live with for a week in the desert. A solution doesn’t always mean everyone involved is going to get exactly what they wanted, but Rangers will work to help prevent a conflict to prevent it from escalating and find a workable solution.

The Family Unification Network (FUN)

Kids want to have FUN! The Family Unification Network that is. In instances of a lost child or separation, FUN helps to reunite children with parents faster. Here’s how it works: parents and children register together at Ranger Headquarters on the Esplanade at 5:45, right next to the DMV. After providing simple identifying information, children will receive a unique wristband with a serial number, which will identify the child, parent or guardian, and camp location. And that's it! Simple!

Should your child become separated from you, they (or you) just need to find a Ranger. The wristband will facilitate a speedy reunion. Make sure you know the number on your child’s wristband so you can give the Rangers that information.

Registration is open daily at Ranger Headquarters before noon and after 2 pm.

Staff and volunteers with families are strongly encouraged to register their children in support of this program.

Weather or Not It Rains

Rain storms, while much less common than dust storms, do happen. Here are some wet weather tips to remember:

  • Listen to BMIR 94.5 FM for updates and information.
  • As with dust storms, check your structures and the art in your camp to be sure it will be safe in the wind and rain.
  • Cover and secure anything electrical.
  • Maintain control of flammable liquid containers and flammable gas containers; keep containers above water level.
  • Protect all food, medicine, bedding and clothing from getting wet.
  • Coordinate with campmates / neighbors to ensure everyone has dry place to shelter.
  • Don’t drive your car or ride your bike on wet playa. You’re likely to get stuck, and it makes a mess of the playa. If you know you’re going to be away from camp when whether hits, try to let a campmate know where you’ll likely be.
  • Bring a five-gallon bucket with a sealable lid and some garbage bags. On the unlikely chance we have extended rain, the porta-potties might get full, and you’ll want a backup.
  • ESD, Black Rock Rangers and law enforcement might contact you with emergency instructions. Please work with them.

Lasers and Laser Safety

Handheld lasers are not permitted at the annual Burning Man event in Black Rock City. Mounted lasers are only permitted on art pieces, Mutant Vehicles and in Theme Camps if they comply with specific restrictions. Learn about them here. Unsafe laser installations will not be permitted to operate.

If you have any questions about lasers and their use on playa, please email lasers@burningman.org.

Sending and Receiving Emergency Messages on Playa

Q: Where should I go to check for emergency messages that might be waiting for me?

A: The only place on-playa that serves as a central distribution point for emergency messages is Playa Info in the keyhole near Center Camp.

Q: How can friends or family send me a message?

A: Given the nature of the event, finding a participant on the playa can be quite challenging. Cell phones really don't work, most of you don't carry satellite phones, and there is limited internet access. Add to that the fact that addresses on the playa are inexact even if you do know where you're camping ahead of time, and finding a person's camp can become very difficult.

Should someone need to emergently contact you, they can email 911@burningman.org Messages will be passed to the Black Rock Rangers who will attempt to deliver them. We will also make the message available at Playa Info in Center Camp, so if you're awaiting bad news or anticipating emergency messages, check in there each day.

Q: What details should be included in an emergency message?

A: Make sure your family has all the details about you BEFORE you leave for the playa. Important details include:

  • Your first and last name as well as any known nickname that you might go by around camp (Do they know your playa name?)
  • The name of your theme camp or other affiliation (volunteer team, etc) and its location, if known
  • Your vehicle make/license plate
  • Any other unique features that will help with the search (such as, "camp has a 20 foot inflatable alien," etc.)

Q: What can prevent me from getting the message?

A: Just a few of the variables that can get in the way: your camp relocates; nobody's ever in camp when we come to find you; your camp spot is obscured from view by other camps; the 20-foot inflatable alien deflates due to a leak; there are three camps with 20-foot inflatable aliens, and none of the neighbors know anyone named "Damon" because you have been introducing yourself all week as "Doctor Damaged." You get the idea.

In other words, you're heading to the middle of the desert, and there is no guarantee that we'll be able to deliver a message in an emergency. It's important to weigh that before you leave home. If you are awaiting news, you can actively check in at Playa Info, and in truly dire circumstances you can take the bus into Gerlach to use a pay phone, cellular phone or take advantage of the free wifi coverage there.

H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T. stands for Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. If not taken care of, each one of these four physical and/or emotional conditions leaves an individual vulnerable. Think about how on the mark the acronym is: HALT. As in stop. It’s an invitation to pause and check in with yourself.

  • What am I feeling right now?
  • How long has it been since I had a bite or drank some water?
  • Am I annoyed at anyone or anything?
  • Do I need to check in with friends, or maybe need to be alone for a bit?
  • When was the last good chunk of sleep I had?

Don’t underestimate the simple yet powerful act of checking in and actively listening for the signals your body sends you. Then fix it, and you’re good to go again!

We Need Crutches!

We provide free medical care on playa and we end up seeing lots of ankle, foot and leg injuries. Nearly every one of these needs a pair of crutches and this year will be no different. We've depleted the donations of crutches from a few years ago and would love some more.

We know there are lots of Burners with pairs of no-longer-used crutches hanging around, and we’d appreciate you so much if you would pay those forward and stack them on your “To Bring” pile for your trip to the playa this year.

They can be delivered to any one of the six medical stations on playa (identifiable by the red cross on the map you receive from our gorgeous Greeters when you arrive). Thank you!

Get Showered With ... WHAT?!? Ewwww, Gross.

It’s nice to shower others with affection, but the non-potable water (that means it’s not safe for drinking) in the road-watering trucks isn’t a safe alternative to a shower. It may contain all sorts of icky things that can make you sick. Resist the temptation to run after the trucks as they pass by! People have also slipped in the mud and seriously hurt themselves. Just bring a solar camping shower instead.

While we’re talking about bathing, keep in mind that all public pools, bathing, showers, (or ‘Slip-n-Slides’) — that would risk full-body contact with contaminated gray water — are PROHIBITED in Black Rock City since there is no legal way to make them safe or for the authorities to approve them. Showers that are set up for you and your campmates are fine, just as long as they’re not open to the public.

Structural Safety: Designing & Building a Structure at Burning Man

Since YOU assume all liability for the safety of any structure you construct, here are some important questions you should ask yourself when designing and building a structure at Burning Man:

  • What's the load capacity of your platform?
  • How many people can it hold based on the load capacity?
  • How will you prevent it from becoming overcrowded?
  • Railings are required to be strong enough to be leaned against; how will you accomplish that?
  • Have you factored in the high winds conditions that are like on Black Rock Desert for your design?
  • If you have not fully considered all aspects of your plan from a structural engineering perspective, you have more research to do.

The Event Safety Team will be conducting inspections and making recommendations or suggestions as they see necessary during the event. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Event Safety Officer Gabe Kearney.

Burn Night Blue Light Special: Get Help When You Need It

Burn night can be chaotic when everyone crowds around the Man. To take the guesswork out of finding help, ESD has created safety contact points outside the Burn circle. There is one on the 3 o'clock side of the Man and another on the 9 o'clock side of the Man. Both of them are along the promenade on the edge of the crowd. Each contact point is marked by a bright blue rotating emergency beacon and both tend to be easily visible from the edge of the crowd.

Each rally point has a host of resources dedicated to it in case there is a need, including Black Rock Rangers, Law Enforcement, and medical services. Just walk up and ask, and we'll arrange for the right resource to follow you back to where help is needed.

Carry Your ID on Playa

While Black Rock City is a magical place, we still need to carry ID for several good reasons:

  1. If you get hurt on playa and are transported while unconscious we can identify you.
  2. In case you get arrested and have to prove your identity to law enforcement.
  3. If you’re lucky enough to look under 21 and want a drink in any camp that serves alcohol.
  4. If you are driving a motor vehicle of ANY KIND, you must always carry a valid Driver’s License.

You Remembered a Spare Key, Right?

Every year, Burners lock their keys in their car or lose them — big bummer, right? Doesn't need to be. One simple step will save you tons of time, hassle and money: make an extra key and store it someplace secure. Hassle avoided!

Now what if you don't have an extra key? Lockout services are available. Go to Playa Info, or if Playa Info is closed, go to Ranger HQ after hours.

Looking for Someone Missing on Playa?

The only place on playa that serves as a central collection point for emergency messages is Playa Info. The Rangers, ESD, CrowdRx and Law Enforcement pass information to Playa Info so that it serves as the clearinghouse for all such messages, saving you the hassle of having to run around and check all the different places a person may be.

Adopt-an-Intersection

We all know bad people like to steal the street signs from BRC on their way out of the event. This unhelpful habit causes havoc for the medical crews, fire trucks, Black Rock Rangers and others by making it difficult to find the location of those who need help in an emergency.

We implore everyone to leave the street signs where they are on your way out of the city. Obviously most people are not guilty of stealing street signs, but there will always be those that persist... so we are asking some of you wonderful and awesome Burners to help by adopting an intersection.

A simple way to help everyone:

The idea was inspired some years ago when participants spontaneously improvised street signs to make it possible to navigate the city in absence of the originals. If you see a signpost missing its sign, use some cardboard, a marker, and some duct tape to make a legible replacement. It will not only help your friends find your camp, it will help all of the emergency responders and will be of great help to your fellow citizens of Black Rock City. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference. We thank you in advance for your help!

Two-Way Radios & Frequency Coordination

Are you planning on using a two-way radio (greater than 5 watts) for any reason on the playa? The Emergency Services Department coordinates spectrum and systems to avoid interference between various projects on playa and the Burning Man radio infrastructure. Please note that in general ESD does not coordinate AM or FM broadcast radio, WiFi, HAM, FRS (aka Talkabouts), GMRS, CB, or RC bands. However if you are planning a high power radio application in any of these bands, please let us know so we can isolate your signal in case of interference.

Please contact ESD Communications if you have questions or to register your frequency request.

“911” Service in Black Rock City ... Now With Art Support!

There is very limited cell phone service in the area surrounding Gerlach. If you're lucky enough to have a signal in Black Rock City please do not call 911 for problems within the event site. The dispatch center you would eventually reach doesn't manage the available resources on playa. It's far faster to flag down a Ranger or send someone to fetch help at a Ranger Outpost or ESD Station. That said, there is a way to directly call for help since ESD's on-site emergency dispatch monitors a designated emergency channel on the license-free MURS (Multi User Radio Service) radio band.

MURS is a service similar to FRS (Family Radio Service, the frequencies that Motorola Talkabouts and similar inexpensive radios use). FRS channels are extremely overcrowded and they're used by thousands of participants during the event. FRS radios are also not powerful enough to effectively communicate throughout Black Rock City. MURS, in contrast, is currently not in common usage and operates at a higher power output so it can communicate across the entire playa.

We appreciate that participants respect that this "911" channel on MURS will be used for emergencies only.

Art projects will be able to use their MURS radio to call Art Support Services directly, saving them the hassle of having to go all the way to the ARTery in person to follow up on issues.

You will need to purchase your own MURS radio to contact ESD 911 or Art Support Services, but the other three MURS channels can also be used just like FRS radios for other purposes. Large camps or villages might also choose to make one part of their group planning efforts and store it in a public place for emergency use.

Reasons to choose MURS:

  • If you're part of a large theme camp it's a good investment to have a MURS radio around to call ESD emergency dispatch for your group, especially if you have members who have known health issues or the risk of injury is of special concern.
  • Large art projects working out on the open playa will be able to get help faster.
  • Camps that are on the outer-rings of the city are far from a Emergency Services station don't have to send runners for help when an emergency arises.
  • The other 3 open channels on MURS can be a great alternative to the overcrowded FRS channels, especially if your camp has a Mutant Vehicle or event-wide project they want to coordinate.
  • It's the only way for the public to contact Black Rock City's emergency dispatch directly.
  • To call Art Support Services on a MURS radio: Set your MURS radio to channel 4 (154.570 MHz, CTCSS/PL 97.4).

To call 911 on a MURS radio: Set your MURS radio to channel 5 (154.600 MHz, CTCSS/PL 97.4) to reach the Black Rock City Emergency Services Dispatch.

PLEASE NOTE: Each brand has its own labeling system so please refer to your user manual to see how CTCSS/PL 97.4 is labeled. Using any other "privacy codes" on channel 5 will interfere with 911. Instead limit your personal use to channels 1-3.

PRO TIP: Program your radio at home where you can look up more info on how to do so on the internet.

FOR ALL MURS USERS: We ask that all Burning Man participants respect that channel 4 & 5 will be used for official use only. While the other MURS channels are fine for personal use we want to stress that channel 5 on MURS please be kept open for emergencies and not used for any other purpose.

An example of a few MURS radio models:

  • Dakota Alert MURS portable (works similar to common FRS radios, with selectable channel and code on the display)
  • Motorola MURS portable (this vendor will program the radio for you upon request)

We recommend you search online for the best price for whatever model radio you choose to buy.

Or if you don't want to buy a radio for this purpose you can contact your local two way radio rental service in your area and inquire about renting a VHF radio for this purpose (and they would program it for you as part of the rental, making configuring the radio hassle free if you're not tech savvy).

If you have further questions, please contact us for more information.

More Questions?

Check out the Burning Man website for more information on health and safety related issues. There are all kinds of topics covered, including pregnancy, rebar safety, first-aid kits and fuel storage.

Or contact the Emergency Services Department if you have any questions that are not answered here or on our website.

SOUNDTRACK FOR THIS JRS

We were listening to ...

Deerhoof — The Magic (2016)

CONNECT WITH BURNING MAN

Burning Man Facebook Page
Burning Man on Twitter
ePlaya: Burner BBS
Spark: Connecting people with projects
The Burning Man Regional Network: Connect with Burners in your hometown!
Burning Man Journal: The paper of record for Burning Man culture
Subscribe to the Burning Man Journal

ADMINISTERRATA

Post Request:
Want your post considered for inclusion in an upcoming Jackrabbit Speaks?
Fill out this form.

Credits:
Editor: Jon Mitchell
Looking Over Shoulders: Megan Miller
Design & Development: Silvia Stephenson
Original Jackrabbit (O.J.): Marian Goodell
Jackrabbits Emeritus: Andie Grace, Will Chase
Header Photograph: Putting pyrosuits to work
Photographer Credit: Peter Pan

More Information:
For questions contact us here.

Previous Editions of the Jackrabbit Speaks:
Visit the JRS Archive

Subscribe & Unsubscribe:
This email was sent to [email address suppressed]
Subscribe
Unsubscribe instantly here.

The Jack Rabbit Speaks
 
Facebook icon Twitter icon Forward icon

No comments:

Post a Comment