FPCS Ranger Khaki Manual

Introduction

Welcome to one of the most rewarding and challenging tasks at Playa Del Fuego: Ranger Shift Lead! We call you “Khaki” just like they do at That Thing In The Desert (TTITD). In fact, we model ourselves quite a bit from Burning Man Black Rock Rangers. If you have any playa Ranger experience, you should find much of the following familiar. Same goes if you have rangered at most of the other large regional burn events. Likewise, if you have not done either of those but are familiar with Playa Del Fuego Rangering, then the following will make sense, too. See how easy this will be?
You represent the Rangers to many different people at the event. You must be sober, calm, helpful and organized. You set the tone for your shift. You have a big responsibility, but you are not alone. Take advantage of your chain of command and available resources as needed to make your shift run smoothly.


Chain of Command



Resources to Interact With

Available on their own radio channels (also see the Team Leads page)
Actual - must-reports, interactions with LE or landowner, big stuff, administration, policy.
R12 – they’ve got your back, work with them on ongoing issues.
First Aid - assists injured, disoriented, or otherwise unwell participants..
Sanctuary - helps participants dealing with mental health crises.
BART, DMV, DPW, Art Hub, Gate, etc. – specialized event support.
Pink Lamp Callboxes - safety radios so the community can reach us quickly/easily.

Resources to Manage

Dirt Rangers - you should have at least two pairs, always assigned in pairs!
Ranger cart & key - deploy wisely.
Shift sign-in laptop/sheet - ensure that all Rangers sign in and out of their shifts.
Ranger log - comprehensive notes about what happened during your shift.
Ranger reference - copies of this document, the Ranger Manual, event map,  the What When Where/ Hitchhiker's guide and any other pertinent docs we can dig up.
Ranger uniform (vests/shirts) - distribute or show how to check out as needed
Pads & pens - Rangers should bring their own, but we’ll have extras.
Radios - keep ‘em charged and ready to go.
Snacks - share generously, keep morale up!
Event map - big one for easy reference.
Dry erase board - important info like who’s R12, Khaki, training times, ongoing issues, etc.
Lost & Found box - we try to manage access to it so valuables aren’t randomly taken

Tasks & Goals

Coverage

We want Rangers evenly dispersed around the event. It usually takes care of itself, but may need your gentle guidance as sometimes resources will bunch up or become occupied for a period of time. You may have to reassign a Ranger pair to a certain area or even cover something yourself with the Khaki Cart. Solo Rangering is discouraged.
Since we’re trying to focus our efforts on when we’re needed the most (evening & nighttime), some day time shifts may have few, if any, dirt rangers. In that case your role is to “hold down the fort” at Ranger HQ and be available if needed. Keep in mind that you can always call in to your R12 as needed.

Dispatch Rangers to Incidents

Manage incidents that need involvement from the other teams such as First Aid, DPW, BART, etc. Get to know people on the other teams – you are their entry point into the Rangers.

Communication

Answer questions and provide guidance. Cover walk-ups to HQ. Periodically checking in with Dirt Rangers has several benefits - You find out where they are, other Rangers know where each other are, you remind them that Khaki has their back (morale), radio connection check/early problem detection, and valuable radio practice. Keep the messages short and provide a good example (to everyone listening) of what a good radio call sounds like. You may need to monitor multiple radios, perhaps manually flipping through channels (there is no scan function on these radios). You need to be available for face-to-face interactions. You will also communicate with other team leads and manage Ranger resources “on loan” to them.

Answer Pink Lamp Callboxes

Pink Lamp callboxes have been distributed around the burn and their location and number will have been noted on the map in HQ. When interacting with participants using the Pink Lamp Callboxes remember that they probably don't have much radio training and you may need some time and patience to get the information you need to help them.

Recording Information

Note who your Ranger pairs are on your whiteboard, and if they have any extra skills/certifications. Record each radio call and walk-up as they happen, filling in details when you have time. If a digital log is available use that, and if not use the form provided for your day/shift in the binder. Be concise but detailed enough to be of use later. Ask yourself: What would I want to know if this were being passed to me in a day or two to follow up on? Will this make sense a month from now? If you’re writing your logs by hand please, PLEASE use legible handwriting!

Ranger Presence at HQ

It is important for someone to be at HQ all the time. Could be you. Could be a delegate with a radio to reach you or R12. People who need a Ranger will look for them at HQ (go figure). This includes participants and other teams, Actual, etc. Touring the event on a cart may be fun, occasionally necessary, but is it the best place for you to serve the event? One word: Delegate.

Keeping Morale High

Especially during difficult weather, boring shifts or crisis situations. Take care of your Rangers. Remind them to be safe, drink water and take occasional breaks. There are usually snacks at HQ for Ranger use on shift.

Lead By Example

Be the calm, resourceful, reliable, patient, nurturing, sense-of-humor-having Ranger Lead that you would want on the other end of a radio. If you don’t have it all together, fake it ‘til you make it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the R12, etc. If necessary, maintain the illusion of calm control so that the participants and Dirt Rangers on your shift don’t know that you’ve lost it. Then breathe, chill and get your Khaki Zen back.


Other Tasks

Tidy up, monitor the structure (pre for/recover from weather, etc.), add detail to the Ranger Log, replenish the snacks, meet and greet volunteers from other teams. The possibilities are endless!

What You Need

    Rangers shirt or vest.
    Two (2) radios - keep one on the Ranger channel, use the other to scan / make calls
    Notebook, pen / pencil
    Sturdy belt or other way to securely attach your radios
    Sunscreen, sunglasses
    Appropriate clothing for night/weather
    Watch or clock
    Cup for water, coffee, etc.
    Snack - we’ll have some, but feel free to bring your own
    Flashlight / headlamp
    ______________________ (that thing that helps you stay sane on shift)

Shift Changes

Be at Ranger HQ at least 15 minutes early for lead pass.
Your shift will be slightly longer than scheduled to account for lead pass before and after your shift.
Review open / ongoing incidents with the outgoing Khaki & R12 prior to a new shift starting.
Get the cart and keys from outgoing Khaki as needed.
Check out two radios.
Facilitate cat herding as needed during shift change. 
Do all of the following fairly quickly:
  • Meet your oncoming Rangers. Note special skills, ask how many years experience they have Rangering (at PDF, other regionals, etc). You may wish to ask and note their pronouns in case you need gender specific Rangers during an incident later. Make notes in the Ranger Log!
  • Get the oncoming Rangers paired up. Consider experience levels and try to match newer Rangers with more experienced partners. Write down who your pairs are and any special assignments or locations in the Ranger Log.
  • Check out radios. Assist your Rangers in getting their radios.
  • Distribute laminates.
  • Make sure everyone signs in, including yourself!
  • Distribute shirts to new/needful Rangers.
  • Give a brief inspirational pep talk. Mention open issues, special considerations, and upcoming events. Connect with your team and let them know you have things under control.
  • Deploy the Rangers ASAP to ensure consistent event coverage.
  • Call in the previous shift. After your shift is deployed, thank and call in any Rangers in the field from the previous shift. Invite them back to HQ to check out. Redistribute their checked-out assets as appropriate.
  • Update the Ranger Log with information you receive from the incoming Rangers.
Check in with R12 to let them know you’re on duty

During Your Shift

  • Monitor your radios. Remember the 3-second rule and try to answer promptly (within 3 seconds) even if it is to tell the caller to wait for Khaki. “Hold for Khaki” sounds like “Go for Khaki” so don’t say that.
  • Record everything that is coming in. That can be challenging. It is okay to repeat back, ask for clarification, scribble notes and then enter organized info into the log, or even to tell your Rangers to fill you in later. Please be specific in details!
  • Generally remain at HQ for walk-ups. If you need to leave for a F2F, break, etc., get someone to cover for you so there is someone at HQ at all times.
  • Monitor the weather on whatever device you have available.
  • Keep morale high.
  • Remain a calm guiding force for your shift.
  • Take care of yourself. Keep watered, fed, caffeinated, or whatever you need to stay sharp (and sober!).
  • Tidy up and organize HQ. It is a shared space - some of us basically live there! Leave no trace!
  • Have fun!


The Ranger Log

We now handle logging digitally and you'll have a dedicated laptop for Ranger shifts and the Ranger Log. Contact R12 if there's a problem with the technology.
When writing in the Ranger Log:
  • Write in the log over the course of the shift. Don't wait until the end of your shift to update the log. Write things down as soon as possible.
  • Include anything that might be valuable or of interest later. Use as much room as you need. Be specific with details and descriptions of people and vehicles. Names, wristband numbers, license plates, sticker numbers - any specific identifying information is useful.
  • Note incidents that are closed so you / your successor can easily see what is still open at shift change. Give details on what the resolution was: conditions, who agreed/was involved. Periodically review open items and check in with Rangers on long calls.
  • Note related incidents. The Ranger Log form lets you reference previous incidents so post-event Ranger leadership can better understand the situation.

How to be an Effective Khaki

Maintain calm control of incidents even (especially) if you don’t have all the answers. You are where the buck stops (initially) and need to manage our social capital in such a way that you reinforce the idea that Rangers are there to help.
F2F (face to face) – Some things are best not discussed on the radio. Other things need to be worked out face to face for best resolution. You should have a cart available at all times in case you need to do a F2F somewhere. See “Lead by example” (under Tasks and Goals above) for things to consider in a F2F. Rather than thinking that you need to know all the answers, think instead about how you would converse with a friend.
If you get called in for advice, be careful not to “jump the call” of the Rangers already on scene. You might be tempted to wade in and fix everything. Remember FLAME and be the resource your Rangers need; offering, empowering and encouraging them to Ranger it.
Radio scanning – There is no scan function on these radios. First Aid should be monitoring multiple channels.
Radio Demeanor:
  • Answer calls in a timely manner, within 5 seconds even if you are just saying “Last caller, standby for Khaki.” “Hold for Khaki” can sound exactly like “Go for Khaki” on the radio.
  • Get good at listening and taking notes at the same time.
  • Make sure the contacting Ranger feels heard. You may not think the incident merits a radio call, but the Ranger on the other end got over their fear of the radio and reached out to you. Respect that.
  • That said, keep channel traffic focused on operational issues. Social planning, excessive check- ins and long conversations about complicated matters all suck up bandwidth and could be delaying an important call. This goes for Rangers and any other teams using our channel.
  • Respectfully coach Rangers through mistakes or confusion. Most of us aren’t on the radio and/or Rangering the other 51 weeks of the year. Be gentle in correction. If you see a pattern of misunderstanding developing, make an Allcom announcement clarifying or correcting it. This separates the issue from the individual(s).
  • Understand there is a time and place for humor and other shenanigans. A busy shift ain’t it.
  • Do all of the above with a tone and demeanor that helps people remember they are appreciated. Maintain operational utility without being cold or mechanical or bitching people out. That hurts the morale of everyone on your shift. Remember these are people volunteering time from their vacation. Your tone on the radio affects the tone of a shift and every Ranger working. “They might not know why the voice in the sky sounds upset, but when it does, they start to get nervous.”
Slow down. Not every decision needs to be made right-this-very-second. It is okay to ask someone to standby while you gather your thoughts or ask for help from another resource.
Breathe. A few deep breaths will do wonders for your stress level.
Delegate. Utilize your Rangers and even other team members as needed. Be cool about it, not a dictator.
Keep perspective. Every decision is not life-or-death. You need to remember that and also remember the person you are dealing with may hold a different viewpoint. Respect their intention to do what they think is best for the event – assume honorable intention, especially from other team leads and Actual. Respect. Understand. Communicate. Educate. Ranger on.
Carts – They are a wonderfully convenient way to navigate the event. They are also a way that we can be perceived as “entitled” and “joyriding.” Keep this in mind as you deploy and utilize carts. You may need to share with other Team Leads, but try to always keep a cart available for your own use for face-to-face and emergencies. When driving, be a paragon of safety and speed control. It is okay (even encouraged) to give lifts to those in need. It is up to your own discretion – we are not a taxi service. Let passengers know you may need to drop them off quickly if an emergency occurs. Be sure to pull all the way off the road when parking! – especially in front of Ranger HQ. Don’t block First Aid!
Be well rested and fed/watered. It is all too easy to forget to take care of yourself on shift even as you are reminding everyone else to.
Stay focused. Leave personal and camp issues, etc. back at camp while you are on shift. We understand that you have family, friends and situations that may pull you away. Ask for a break and a backup to relieve you while you take care of things. You don’t have to be a cold, inaccessible machine! That is not being a good Ranger. Just use your best judgment to determine if your focus is in the right place and that you are able to do your job and honor your responsibility. Keep in mind: you may have to remind a Ranger on your shift about this same advice!
“Compassionate Dismissal” - You may have to make a judgment call on whether a Ranger is fit for duty and able to carry out their tasks. Consider safety and social capital. Reasons include: working too hard for too long, lack of sleep, being “altered” or not sufficiently down from previous substance use, not handling an emergency situation well, experiencing a trigger issue, being overwhelmed or stressed out, etc. It is okay to tell a Ranger they need to take a break. Do so quietly and privately. If in an emergency situation, if necessary for the safety or good of the event, take charge and focus on solving the emergency first. 
Consider having a trusted friend of the person with you if you think this could be problematic.
Deescalate, use good humor and lack of drama. Suggest time off for a walk, a meal or a nap. Be clear. Let them know why and when they could come back. Thank them for their contributions. Take cart keys and radio as needed. Find a replacement.
Confer with the R12 as necessary. Help Rangers kick things sideways when they, or you, feel they need to. Redistribute Ranger pairs if it just isn’t working and you have other resources available. Document all of these situations for the leadership cadre.
Remember you are not alone. You are a part of a team. If you are feeling overwhelmed or not sure how to handle a situation, it is not just acceptable for you to ask for help. It is expected.
Calling in the cavalry. As just stated, you can call on the R12 or Actual for help. When you do, remember that they appreciate a good radio call, too. Action, brief, clear - what do you want, where do you want it, what for (as appropriate on the radio).
Be private in your criticism and public in your praise.

Must Reports

These are things that Rangers must report to Khaki. You must report them to Actual and the Ranger of the Twelve (R12).
Put as much supporting information, especially involved participants’ wristband numbers, into the Ranger Log as you can. Include supporting documents like incident reports and written statements as needed.
  • Lost Child/Participant
  • Get: Name, age, weight/build, hair/skin/eye color, clothing description. Last known location & time.
  • Location of their camp and the last time seen there. Name of parent/guardian.
  • Relationship of person reporting.
  • Call to close Gate.
  • Remind Ranger to stay with parent or person reporting.
  • Child will be released to parents/guardians only after meeting with Actual and R12. LEO may be called in if necessary.
  • When the child is found, let everyone enlisted to help know.
  • Found Child - Remind Ranger not to be alone with a found child.
  • Child/Spouse/Participant abuse.
  • Sexual Assault.
  • Violence/Assault.
  • Death (don’t say “Death” on the radio, say “unconscious & not breathing,” call for a “face-to- face”). Collaborate with First Aid.
  • Dosing.
  • “Runners” breaking a fire art perimeter. Need psych check. Collaborate with First Aid and Sanctuary.
The following are situations where whether to contact Actual/R12 is your call:
  • Medical Emergencies - Encourage reporting Ranger to use LOGIC-B. First Aid has probably already heard the call and is rolling. Collaborate with First Aid. 
  • Psychiatric Emergencies (call for a “face-to-face”). Collaborate with First Aid and Sanctuary.
  • Theft – Rangers primarily protect people, not property. Encourage participant/victim to fill out an Incident Report (blanks are in the Ranger Resource book) and get as many details as possible/comfortable for participants.
  • Any situation likely to put a Ranger in harm’s way.
  • Any situation likely to put a participant in non-consensual grave danger.

Other Emergency Situations

  • Severe Weather (wind, rain, cold, lightning)
  • Site Issues (deal with owner/Actual, impassable roads/detours, power, structures)
  • Unintended Fire (First Aid/BART)
  • Fire / Ambulance / LEO on site - (R12/Actual)
(See also Uncommon Scenarios: What To Do below for more detail)

Incident Command System / FEMA Training

We are slowly moving toward a formalized ICS structure for large scale emergency situations. Several teams have already adapted parts into their operational policy, including Rangers. We don’t require it (yet), but strongly encourage you to spend a couple hours with these free online courses:

Lost Wristband Policy & Procedure

    Rangers find someone without a wristband. They bring the person to Ranger HQ and stick around to help.
    Khaki asks for the first and last name of the participant. Make them write it down themselves. Ask for an ID. Make sure it matches the name. Do not leave the person alone. Write down a description of the person.
    No ID: Rangers escort to the camp to find it. If they can not find it escalate to Actual.
    Walk with the participant to Gate to check against their signed waiver. No one without a signed waiver can ride on a cart. Gate closes the loop on whether the person is legitimately in the event and needs a replacement wristband or if they are a trespasser.
    If they are issued a new wristband then you’re all done. Assist the participant in getting back into the event.
    If they are a trespasser they must leave the property immediately. If they do not leave on their own then Gate will escalate to Actual who may call the police.
    If they seem to disoriented to release on their own once off property, then Gate will escalate to Actual, who may call the police
    If they claim to be a friend/family/guest of the landowner escalate to Actual.

Common Scenarios - What to do

“People first, then property.”
Fire Art questions – Refer to Burning Art & Response Team (BART): dangerous operations, open/dangerous flames in the woods or in camps, or no laminate (safety registration).
Noise complaints – Encourage neighbors to work it out. See sound limitations posted in Ranger HQ and work with your dirt rangers to FLAME the situation.
Spread the Word – Any number and type of messages may need to be conveyed to the population of the event. Actual and R12 will coordinate the message and work with Khaki(s) to disseminate via Dirt Rangers.
Theft – Encourage participants to fill out a PDF Incident Report. Advise that they can also file a police report. The more information (description of items, timeline, etc.) they can provide, the more information we will be able to use to find the thief and recover the items. Remember, Rangers are concerned with people above property.
Wellness Check – If a Ranger encounters a passed-out participant that they cannot rouse to sleep more appropriately elsewhere, then ESD should be called for a wellness check.
Bad Weather – We’ve gotten some significant storms at the event in the past few years. Heavy rains and wind are at best annoying and at worst very dangerous. Make sure HQ, and all its contents, are secure from water and wind. Make sure your Rangers are safe and protected, with the right clothing and gear. Get people off the water when lightning storms are approaching.
Mutant Vehicle Issues - if you receive a substantive complaint about a mutant vehicle or if one of your Rangers reports one for a policy violation be sure to communicate that to the DMV.

Uncommon Scenarios - What to do

One thing to do in all of these situations is document what happens, when, and who is involved. Include decisions and TWW/TTI (Things That Went Well/Things To Improve) as appropriate. Actual and R12 will be involved in all of these:
Ejection from Event “007” – Rangers cannot eject a ticketed (wristbanded) participant and should not threaten to do so. Rangers can eject a non-ticketed participant (gate-crasher). All PDF tickets are revocable licenses. A team of Actual and senior Ranger cadre can decide to eject a participant. It is not a unilateral decision made by one person. At least 2 board members and R12 will be involved.
Most likely reasons for ejection:
  • Selling things
  • Not supervising their children (repeated offense or egregious first offense) 
  • Violence
  • Disrespect of landowner’s property short of police action
  • Lying to Gate, attempting to use fake ticket
  • Perimeter jumping
Police may be called. If the offense involves sexual assault, child assault, elder assault or other significant violence, call Actual/R12 who will likely call police. Do not put Rangers in harm’s way.
Weather Emergency – You may need to monitor radio/weather apps during obvious threat of severe weather. If weather warnings are issued, pass on information to participants via Dirt Rangers. Tornado and lightning: encourage evacuation. Relay safety information.
Site Issues – May need to work in cooperation with DPW, Parking, Gate to close areas (flooded, excessively muddy) or create alternate traffic routes or stop traffic. Unserviceable porta-toilets may need to be closed. Identify available 4-wheel drive vehicles just in case. Watch for participants in danger. If cold temperatures, watch for unprepared and hypothermic participants.
Unintended Fire – Make sure Fire/First AId has called 911 or is ready to do so.
Medical Evacuation – Rangers may need to assist with transport, getting ID from camp for re-entry, finding their car, and especially clearing a path for an ambulance to get to ESD and out. Block all traffic on the road on either side of First Aid/Ranger HQ. Coordinate road clearing with Greeters.
Severe Injury/Death – Gate will be closed until the situation is cleared to facilitate 911 traffic. Create a safe perimeter. If a participant is sent to a hospital, coordinate friends/camp mates to be with them.
Sexual Assault/Rape – Call for available First Aid resources and immediately involve R12 and Actual. Remember victims may be more comfortable with same gendered responders. Offer police and medical. Offer transport to a local hospital. Rape kits cannot be administered on site; They must be done at a local hospital. If a participant is sent to a hospital, coordinate friends/camp mates to be with them. Investigate the incident. You may be superseded by police. Get information where possible. Prepare for 007 procedures as needed. Keep confidentiality. Be aware of people’s need to process this experience even if they were not directly involved.
Media – Defer to R12 and Actual.
LE Visit – Law enforcement may arrive unannounced for sound complaints or other 911 calls. They may have been called by us – hopefully you will know in advance! Gate is usually the first contact. LEOs should not enter a private event without being invited in. That’s why we head out to Gate (or wherever they are) to interact. If we invite them in, we could be waiving certain rights. 
Training dictates that Rangers encountering LE will notify their Shift Lead – which is you. 
Rangers are not expected to interact with law enforcement officers other than as friendly greeters.
Do NOT get in the way of law enforcement.

The Last Word

“We are not here to keep people from being stupid. Once they are stupid, we will pick up the pieces. But we’re not going to stop people from having whatever experience they want to have.” 
~ Khaki, Black Rock City, 2001

The FPCS Khaki Ranger Manual is a modification of the 2018 Lakes of Fire Ranger Manual, by the Lakes of Fire Lead Team and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This license allows other groups to remix, tweak, and build upon the existing work in a non-commercial manner, so long as they credit the original authors and license the new creation under identical terms.