P23-fire-rpt - 9/30/94 Baron Durr's fire report for Pennsic XXIII. NOTE: See also the files: P19-fire-rpt, P24-fire-rpt, Fire-Book-no-pics, P-history-msg, P-stories-msg, BP-Thingie-art. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with seperate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the orignator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: Lord Stefan li Rous mark.s.harris@motorola.com stefan@florilegium.org ************************************************************************ From: DEW@ECL.PSU.EDU (Durr ishJabal Bey alFarengi) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: PW XXIII Fire (and) Safety Report Date: 31 Aug 1994 22:09:07 GMT Organization: Orluk Oasis Pennsic War XXIII Fire (and) Safety Advocate Report By (Smokey) Baron Dur After five years of monitoring and counseling Pennsic campers, these are the conclusions that can be drawn: 1) You can't create fool-proof rules. Fools find other ways to cause problems. 2) You can't expect people to obey rules they don't understand. Some still think that they are above the laws (of physics). 3) You can't legislate intelligence. Too many just check their brains at the door. 4) Anyone can be a bad example. The real problem is convincing people that just because "Duke Sir Ego" did it, that doesn't make it a good thing to do. The rules and "Fire Nazi" letter in the pre-Pennsic newsletter as well as the rules contained in the site booklet were not written by me, nor was I asked for input. The fire rules should be rewritten. Then, they should be enforced without regard for social status (fire doesn't care if you are a prince or pauper). The purpose of these rules are not for the protection of the person who violates the rules, but to protect the innocents who will be harmed by anyone "causing or risking a catastrophe" (Commonwealth of PA Criminal Code, Section 3302, which indicates that willful or intentional acts are a felony of the first degree, and reckless acts are a felony of the second degree. The penalties are $25,000 and/or up to 20 years imprisonment. Other charges which include criminal mischief, arson, and homicide may also be attached.) This is serious folks. Time to wake up. For the first week of the War, it was mostly preaching to the choir. Most of the folks who are there for that week are experienced (they have heard this before), and are prepared. Some are new, and if we can get to them, are trainable. When Pennsic hits full stride in the second week, there are far too many incoming campers that haven't a clue. The safety booklet was an attempt to reach them, and as I only had a thousand, they were distributed to camps on a one for each ten expected campers. The persons that received them were asked to distribute and share them with other people in their camps. Later in the War, I asked different people if they had seen the book, and most answered negatively. (One more experiment fails!) Why does this need doing? Two reasons: Fire is a good thing when managed, controlled, and respected. Post-modern people (that's your 14-th generation apartment dweller) lack the life-long experience with fire that the peoples we emulate (the medieval man) had. The goal is to rekindle the knowledge in Pennsic participants so that they may regain their respect of fire, not to scare them with "dreadful and dire warnings" of doom. (We require authorizations for fighters; should we require something like that for fires?) Here's the call to action. I'll keep it simple. 1) Make simple rules. Provide Explanations. (Name the rules for the folks that caused them to be created. It's one way to become a celebrity!) 2) Enforce your rules. Equally (high and low). No exceptions. 3) Eliminate the perennial problems. Ban or bar habitual "criminals". If they were stupid last year, chances are that they are still stupid. 4) To all Crowns, Coronets, Peers, and other Notables (all those deemed Examples)! You, of all people, must be as Caesar's wife. If the halo of one of your fellow Examples has slipped, by all means, help them back to grace! (If you haven't been told yet, you have been entrusted with the responsibility to nurture the "Dream". Know this, and act accordingly!) The remainder of this report is a chronological listing of my activities and some external reports from others who helped in the monitoring. Specific and particular recommendations follow the report. Saturday, August 6. I handed out the safety booklets to Land Reps waiting in the check-in line. A total of 285 camps were contacted at this time (I got autographs from the Land reps. Sunday, August 7. Since most folks were still getting settled, I conducted a very preliminary patrol. Just to kick things off, 10 minutes into my cursory patrol I found "Molotov's on stick" (glass fruit-jars with wicks and kerosene on long, thin bamboo sticks) in a camp next to the lower wash house (by lake). I met Melkor by the camp store were he was collecting kerosene for heaters in the camp hospital. I must remind him that the pure, bottled oxygen and kerosene are a very dangerous mix. Monday, August 8. Began the grand tour handing out booklets to various camps (starting at the northern end of the camp). Observed golf carts (Michael of Bedford and "Grand Squire") speeding about the camp. I checked at Security to see if there was a coincident emergency (there wasn't). Sent messages to the Autocrat's staff meeting about the speeding problem, especially since now was the time to set good examples. The Northshield camp says that it douses fire safety violators (open flames in tents) with water to discourage repeat behavior. At various camps, people keep asking about fire safety classes, which I inform them that my visit and the booklet are the replacement for that activity. I stopped to remind Chirurgeons about No Smoking sign because of the bottled oxygen in the hospital tent. Tuesday, August 9. As part of NE/NW patrol, I examined torches on East Royal gate and Camp House de Tyre (action required by complaint). The camps indicate that they will comply with recommendations. Completed upper camp ground down to Howard's Fen. Master Wulfgar wants to argue his point that kerosene is better than fuel oil for torches ("I called my Fire Safety Expert, and he said..."), to which I decline to debate. Melkor asked if I would do this again next year (with a budget). We also talked about "safety cert." for chirurgeons, but Brusten de Bearsul was not in favor of this. While on patrol, I am often asked to interpret the rules, but I refer folks to Security for definitions. Wednesday, August 10. Security carts are now moving slower, but some of the joy-riders are still moving at excessive speeds (looks like a queen or princess?) I inform the AEthelmearc Royal camp that their road torches are too close to tents. When wrapping up SW region patrol around noon, I found that (SW16) Camp of Monadh had left unattended fire burning. I sent for security as I could not leave the scene (as it would then, again, be unattended.) I repeatedly called into the camp, and just before security arrived, one of the occupants of the camp woke up. I told him about the problem, and suggested that he berate his camp companions for leaving him in a dangerous situation (him asleep and the fire un-banked). I have found evidence of people reading the books (improved fire pits). There was a report of several drunks playing quiz games with the booklet. (Whatever it takes...) More discussions with Brusten de Bearsul, he is expecting to provide someone to make rounds with me this year and "learn" what it is that I do. Thursday, August 11 (rains most of afternoon). While on patrol in SE regions, I find torches set up in the middle of straw strewn camp - Camp Silver Leaf. Security was informed (Master Wulfgar), and I left a booklet. Today I have completed the tour of the entire site. The are only 2000 on site at this point. Friday, August 12. Not able to obtain cart for safety rounds. With the influx of people, as soon as one problem is checked, another occurs. Not much accomplished today. Saturday, August 13 (Late night Rain). A cadet of Smokey the Hedgehog provided a test of the fire detection and extinguishing system. After raising a tent in Calontir royal, the cadet left his candle lantern outside in the rain and went to bed in another camp. The candle burned down to the wood inside the lantern and ignited the paraffin soaked wood. It was burning very well (including the soaked grass around it) when the security patrol took notice of it. They called over one of the camp occupants and pointed it out. It just happened that the person they hailed was the camp master, who knew that no fire pit was designated for that particular spot. They immediately responded and extinguished the fire. To commemorate the incident, a shrine was erected on the rubble (St. Barney of the Flame). I left the issue of discipline to the Queen of Calontir to administer. Sunday, August 14 (5.25 inches of rain). Most fire pits are full of water. A refugee center is set up at the Barn for the hardest hit. Note that most road torches are not safely placed for "unattended operation". Monday, August 15. Repeat NW patrol today (no cart available from security). General conditions are fine, but still have to remind many folks to make equipment visible and check distances/placement of fire sources. Tuesday, August 16. Repeat NE Patrol today (no cart available from security, but worked things out with the War Marshal). No major problems noted. Baron of Jararvellir brought up several issues. The use of Diazanon by campers for an insect deterrent is also a toxic hazard for people in bare feet (I verified this after the War). He was also picking up broken glass in road left by some late night accident. (Hurrah for his sense of responsibility to his fellow!) Wednesday, August 17 (Rain). Repeat SE patrol today (Still no cart from security, but the War Marshal lent it to me again). Calontir is spreading mulch to dry out ground for party. I remind them that the shredded bark is like tinder when it dries out. I also remind them that the purpose of mulch is to keep moisture in the ground, not wick it out. There was a (post-war) report of a grass fire in SE15 (not reported to security). Citronella candles had been removed from buckets and placed on bamboo stakes, which then burned through and caught the grass on fire. The neighboring camp extinguished the fire. The offending group was from NJ ("clan something") and had been given booklets by the neighbors. Apparently, this group also tried to dig its fire pit adjacent to the neighbors tents and were generally hostile to all adjacent camps. Thursday, August 18. Repeat SW patrol today (still no cart available, so we go on foot). Tents are too tightly packed in some camps, while others still have acres of space. For a second time, I remind the Chirurgeons about no smoking signs for the hospital tent. This time they put them up. Friday, August 19. The off-site fire that occurred at 2:35 AM on Friday involved tires (no gas lines or gas tanks...you would have heard the explosion) at the Penn DOT junkyard. Heavy equipment (Penn DOT) was used to ensure containment. No firebreaks were "jumped", and the site was not in serious danger. Contributing factors included the saturated condition of the forest and the quick response on the part of the fire department. Throughout this particular event, I was detained at Security Point. The initial call came in from a roving patrol and was quickly responded to by Coopers/Pennsic Security (calls to the local authorities were made almost immediately). Security (patrols and staff) continued to rove the area adjacent to the event and evaluate the potential danger. Information control was established at the Barn, and the patrols were told to advise campers to hold for further instructions. There was one unidentified person in a pickup-truck that elevated the risk of disaster by riding around the site instructing campers "to prepare for evacuation". Fortunately, large-scale panic did not take hold. (If anyone knows who this was, let them know the serious nature of their action. The fire had potential for harm, but panic combined with the disorientation of being waken in the wee-hours is a deadly cocktail in and of itself.) If things had been very dry (like PWXX), the results could have been different. The potential for property damage (burned camps) would be a possibility (not a certainty), but the tragic loss of life might be limited or averted if panic can be avoided. After all this, at 3:30 AM, a Security foot patrol was concerned about Midrealm Royal Camp torches (inside camp) and candle lanterns (inside tents) that were left attended. He and I stood by the gate until an off-shift camp guard stopped by to take care of the camp (the occupants were either asleep or out). !Bad Royals! No oat cake! Also noted unattended torches in Flaming Gryphon camp. Saturday, August 20 (Rain). In the evening, a truck runs over tents in Confederation Camp (truck owned by one of the camp members. Parking brake failed and two tents were severely damaged. No injuries were reported. One individual over-reacted and tried to stop down-hill traffic in the area of the accident and nearly got run over for his trouble. Sunday, August 21 (Rain). Many camps leave unfilled fire pits/sump pits. Brusten de Bearsul informs me that his person who was supposed to be my trainee did not show. Like I had not noticed this? Many (including myself) discovered that Pennsic mud is like ice when it comes to driving. No traction for going or stopping. Recommendations: As Pennsic sprawls, I'd suggest that local (neighborhood) security stations (in conjunction with the remote first-aid points) become the rule. This would provide better communications for the more remote camps as well as reduce the need for cart-patrols (foot patrols would be operated from these sub-points, and foot patrols are more likely to find problems instead of whizzing right by them as often occurs). Patrolling you own neighborhood is better (you know where things are), and you can be more help (like the good old cop on the beat). All golf carts should be outfitted with both first-aid kits and fire extinguishers. A patrol pouch for foot patrols can likewise be issued. It would conceal the hand radios as well as carry note books and writing instruments. I tried to spawn a grass roots effort of safety checking (self examination), but this does not seem to work. A cadre of "inspectors" that could sweep sections of the camp on a regular basis to search for issues and raise them to the campers might be more effective. This in not an enforcement issue, but rather a monitor and advise method. If there was a chronic problem, the applicable rule should be enforced by security, not the inspector. Habitual and/or chronic (security and safety) problems must be documented and, if necessary, curtailed or eliminated from Pennsic. There. Now I've said it in writing. (Throw the rascals out!) A general (global) recommendation about staffing Pennsic: Candidates for senior staff positions should have completed at least one year of deputy staff service in the field of support AND receive a favorable recommendation from the senior staff before assuming the office. This would eliminate some of the wide variances that occur (particularly in Security and Classes) from year to year. (For example, what do you think I'll have to say about Brusten de Bearsul's trainee candidate after this year? Thus far only Hector of the Black Height has followed me around three years ago, and then only for one day.) Oh yeah, have a nice War... --------------------------------------- This report may be reprinted intact in any SCA publication. Any extraction, excision, or modification of the content, for any purpose requires the author's permission. This document is close captioned for the humor-impaired. Post no bills. This report is moose-proof. Dale E. Walter |(Smokey) Baron Dur of Hidden Mountain |Durr ishJabal min al-Maqfi Jabal abu Neefa Sultan ilorluk dew@ecl.psu.edu |Orluk Oasis on the War Road (of Aethelmarc) |Member # 02933 From: DEW@ECL.PSU.EDU (Durr ishJabal Bey alFarengi) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: PW XXIII Fire (and) Safety Report Date: 5 Sep 1994 14:54:38 GMT Organization: Orluk Oasis Greetings to the Rialto! In <34bsf0$8er@scratchy.reed.edu> odlin@reed.edu writes: #> #> >[Pennsic Safety Report deleted] #> #> One question, one request: #> #> Could "open flame" (in the context of "...in tents") be defined (What's okay, #> what's not)? If we had to spell out all (readily recognizable) "unsafe acts", you would have a rule book of significant size. I explained it once as follows: Open is not enclosed. In is not out. Up is not down. (comprehension is left as an exercise for the student.) #> And my request for next year's Pennsic: Fewer bloody golf carts. In #> particular: Security "patrols" on golf carts cannot hear anything, and #> are thus pretty useless. Except for being annoyingly noisy at 3 am... Please see my recommendations on decentralized "security/aid stations" at the end of the report. #> -Iain, who was amused at Pennsic by a gentle who took it upon himself to #> have little chats with everyone around him he thought was violating the #> fire safety rules, while he himself had a tiki torch less than two feet #> his own tent... Please also see my recommendations for "inspectors/counselors" in the same report. ====== From someone who took the time to send mail on another part of the report... dur> large-scale panic did not take hold. . . . #>While I agree with you that this person was a jerk, I really don't #>expect that he could have caused 'large scale panic'. I don't beleive #>that the majority of folks at Pennsic are that easily stampeded. (Ok, #>so a few are, but I doubt that enough are to cause a serious problem.) If this incident had happened at 3 PM on Tuesday, I'd agree. Because it happened at a time when people are disoriented and tired (3 AM Friday), expecting rational behavior when "Chicken Little" is on the loose is asking too much (consider why it is a felony to shout "FIRE" in a theater...) Some PW autocrats have published simple rules like, "Don't Be Stupid. Don't be a Jerk." Maybe the rules should be: Stop. Look. Listen. (In other words, careful reflection on the intent of your action versus the status quo should reveal to you the probable results of your course of action as well as provide options to accomplish the same solution. Solicitation of advice and opinions may provide further enlightenment and assistance towards the success of your endeavor.) So, I ask you. Which of these is easier to remember? Salah Dale E. Walter |(Smokey) Baron Dur of Hidden Mountain |Durr ishJabal min al-Maqfi Jabal abu Neefa Sultan ilorluk dew@ecl.psu.edu |Orluk Oasis on the War Road (of Aethelmarc) |Member # 02933 Edited by Mark S. Harris P23-fire-rpt