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Memories of Burning Man 2018
Sep. 4th, 2018 12:07 amMy 24-hour Engine 3 shift - we patrolled the city for about 15 hours, responded to a quick patient lift assist, and responded to a structure fire at 5am (that was put out by the time we arrived on the 9'o clock side). My LT was a 30+ year Grants Pass Chief, the Driver/Operator was a 10+ year Colorado Firefighter/Paramedic, and the other Firefighter in the back seat was a 30+ year Chief from a little place called FDNY. *smile*
Drinking bourbon at the 10-7 with Ranger Sticky, who's husband Ranger Bourbon died of suicide last year, while the Whorse was getting worked on for a transmission shift linkage issue that turned out to be worse than that.
Eating fried baloney sandwiches, otter pops, pulled pork sandwiches, Mini Raviolis from the can, and commissary food. Sleeping in a Bunkhouse (different ones, depending on the shift) and never actually setting up a tent or camp.
Helping out with the Junior Ranger program at Kidsville, and helping to teach the Burner kids what a Ranger is and what we do, and that we're here to help keep them safe and protect them, and earning my own Black Rock Junior Ranger badge(!). Four Rangers showed up to help - Ranger Pup Tent, who put on the class, two Australian Rangers, and myself. And then running into Ranger 4X4, who was able to help diagnose the transmission problems with the Whorse.
Walking the dirt with Ranger Not Your Mom on her first non-training shift, and being her partner while she handled a camp dispute mediation, a sound complaint, an 'altered participant', and a variety of questions and requests effectively. I was honored to collect her 'shiny penny' pin.
Rolling for Ranger Intercept for a double shift, and working with two different Rangers, new to Ranger Intercept. Calling for medical, making report to the arriving ESD QRV and also to the Rampart Delta Unit, and holding a perimeter while they transported. Calling for Medical over and over all event. Driving in a white-out duststorm. Backing up another pair of city Rangers with an intoxicated participant. Having a picnic way out by the trash fence with the Whorse mechanics and their wives.
Showing up for an Engine 3 Burn Support shift - and being sent home because they didn't need the extra crew. Instead of going back to Outpost Berlin, having rack of lamb at the ESD Fire Camp with Dr. Peter, and then we walked to the Man and experienced the art, then the Temple where I wrote my yearly haiku, and then walking to Center Camp for a Mocha and an excellent game of chess, and then back to Fire Camp where Dr. Peter made grilled cheese sandwiches.
Finding out that the Whorse needs a whole new transmission - and that Ranger Magnum and Ranger 4X4 have a spare transmission in LA, and that they'll take the Whorse and fix it for me - I just have to buy parts and get it when they fix it. *smile*
Running Ranger Intercept with Ranger Lola, who trained me last year, driving a gator - and getting a close up view of the Great Train Wreck Burn. My last Engine 3 shift, and the LT giving us a shot of 103-proof moonshine after we were done and out of uniform in his camp.
Watching the Man burn after my last Fire shift by walking out to the espalanade with lounge chairs with Dr. Peter, and yet another grilled cheese sandwich.
Rolling my last Intercept shift of the year, a double-plus (15 hours) shift, watching the Temple Burn from the fire lane, and hanging out at Ranger Outpost Tokyo eating various smoked meats, getting done at sunrise for breakfast at the commissary, and driving back to Outpost Berlin in The Brain, the Berlin Ranger art car.
Overall: A lot of working, but a good reset - and a lot of clarification internally about choices and goals. *smile*
Drinking bourbon at the 10-7 with Ranger Sticky, who's husband Ranger Bourbon died of suicide last year, while the Whorse was getting worked on for a transmission shift linkage issue that turned out to be worse than that.
Eating fried baloney sandwiches, otter pops, pulled pork sandwiches, Mini Raviolis from the can, and commissary food. Sleeping in a Bunkhouse (different ones, depending on the shift) and never actually setting up a tent or camp.
Helping out with the Junior Ranger program at Kidsville, and helping to teach the Burner kids what a Ranger is and what we do, and that we're here to help keep them safe and protect them, and earning my own Black Rock Junior Ranger badge(!). Four Rangers showed up to help - Ranger Pup Tent, who put on the class, two Australian Rangers, and myself. And then running into Ranger 4X4, who was able to help diagnose the transmission problems with the Whorse.
Walking the dirt with Ranger Not Your Mom on her first non-training shift, and being her partner while she handled a camp dispute mediation, a sound complaint, an 'altered participant', and a variety of questions and requests effectively. I was honored to collect her 'shiny penny' pin.
Rolling for Ranger Intercept for a double shift, and working with two different Rangers, new to Ranger Intercept. Calling for medical, making report to the arriving ESD QRV and also to the Rampart Delta Unit, and holding a perimeter while they transported. Calling for Medical over and over all event. Driving in a white-out duststorm. Backing up another pair of city Rangers with an intoxicated participant. Having a picnic way out by the trash fence with the Whorse mechanics and their wives.
Showing up for an Engine 3 Burn Support shift - and being sent home because they didn't need the extra crew. Instead of going back to Outpost Berlin, having rack of lamb at the ESD Fire Camp with Dr. Peter, and then we walked to the Man and experienced the art, then the Temple where I wrote my yearly haiku, and then walking to Center Camp for a Mocha and an excellent game of chess, and then back to Fire Camp where Dr. Peter made grilled cheese sandwiches.
Finding out that the Whorse needs a whole new transmission - and that Ranger Magnum and Ranger 4X4 have a spare transmission in LA, and that they'll take the Whorse and fix it for me - I just have to buy parts and get it when they fix it. *smile*
Running Ranger Intercept with Ranger Lola, who trained me last year, driving a gator - and getting a close up view of the Great Train Wreck Burn. My last Engine 3 shift, and the LT giving us a shot of 103-proof moonshine after we were done and out of uniform in his camp.
Watching the Man burn after my last Fire shift by walking out to the espalanade with lounge chairs with Dr. Peter, and yet another grilled cheese sandwich.
Rolling my last Intercept shift of the year, a double-plus (15 hours) shift, watching the Temple Burn from the fire lane, and hanging out at Ranger Outpost Tokyo eating various smoked meats, getting done at sunrise for breakfast at the commissary, and driving back to Outpost Berlin in The Brain, the Berlin Ranger art car.
Overall: A lot of working, but a good reset - and a lot of clarification internally about choices and goals. *smile*
