Before the Burn: Inside the Grit & Grind of Work Week 

Greetings, Salutations, and Devoirs!

An update from our most recent activities, Sunburst did most of the heavy lifting for this post after she, Fowler, and I had a download of the work-filled week after the GPE summit. 

Immediately following the Leadership Summit, the focus turned to the work week and meetings in Reno. In Reno, there was ahe cooperators meeting with collaborating agencies, along with vendor meetings, while at Black Rock Station we focused on hands-on prep for the upcoming event. Significant time and dusty physical work are required to get GPE’s assets, infrastructure, and teams ready for another year in the desert. 

A successful annual cooperator’s meeting occurred, where agency partners and stakeholders gathered to discuss coordination, contingency planning, and operational readiness. the MaGPiE, Fowler, and Shimmer helped guide discussions centered on preparedness, communication, and operational success. The challenges of extended weather events and gate closure planning were major topics. Lessons learned from previous years were reviewed and incorporated into current planning. The cooperator’s meeting also included a set of table top exercises centered on cybersecurity and communication failures, underscoring how crucial adaptability and redundancy are to Black Rock City operations. Attendees included representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Central Nevada Health Division, Department of Public Behavior Health, Federal Aviation Administration, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), NDOT-Aviation, Nevada Threat Analysis Center, Nevada State Police, Pershing County Emergency Management, PLPT Fire, EMS & Police, Royal Ambulance, SSBS, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, WC Emergency Management, WC Roads, and WCSO. GPE and Box Office both arose in the internet free era, and this threat would be inconvenient but surmountable.  

The MaGPiE and Fowler also met with vendors and partners such as Silver State Barricade & Sign and Mobile Mechanics to coordinate contingency planning and logistics for the season. Upon returning to Gerlach Fowler drove GPE’s new van, Party Piglet, out to the Ranch. With the guidance of Mancake and Gadget, GPE Crews spent the week clearing out storage spaces, sorting equipment, checking assets for weather damage, and taking inventory. The work days were long, hot, and dusty. Repairs were a priority, from troubleshooting AC units to determining what still needs long-term rehab. The team also started putting together a more detailed inventory system by creating and updating records and photos so equipment and overall readiness can be tracked more accurately going forward. Additionally, the team was able to connect with the Man Crew, who had already started building at the Ranch. While the GPE crew kept pushing ahead on infrastructure projects out at the Ranch, another part of the team tested drones to capture aerial footage and support operational assessments. 

Work week served as another reminder that preparation for Black Rock City happens long before the gates open. It happens through the people who are willing to show up, solve problems, and do the hard work together. We recognize the long hours and dusty work and thank the team for their dedication! 

If you want to be part of this dynamic, fun group, watch for jobs listed on gate-announce@burningman.org and sign up to volunteer by indicating GPE on the Volunteer Questionnaire by checking the appropriate box. Our Volunteer Coordinator will email you with more information. 

And that is a wrap folks. From our mostly black hearts to yours, and in compliance with relevant health codes…

Love-n-shit

    tM, Fowler, Sunburst