DPW
The
year 2002 brought remarkable professional growth for the Black
Rock City Department of Public Works (DPW). We again helped to
create the miracle called Black Rock City by constructing much
of the city’s essential infrastructure and
restoring the site back to its original
blankness when the event concluded. (Black Rock
City, a high-desert mirage of a town of 30,000 citizens, becomes
real and official for only one week a year and then disappears
like smoke. It lives on the rest of the year in the hearts and
minds of those who inhabited it.)
This was a year with many new challenges and obstacles, with the
learning and growth that comes from moving forward to address the
many unforeseen, unscheduled challenges head
on, as they come. The airport, lighthouse
(the base on which the Man stood), community shade structures,
burn
platforms, work ranch property
improvements, and inventory are just some of the yearly projects
that became
much more ambitious in 2002 than before. We also took on the port-o-potty contract,
staff golf cart maintenance, firewood delivery, and debris box
distribution.
We
intended to reduce the DPW workforce by some 100 people
to make operations more streamlined,while reducing costs and risks. This
goal was accomplished but only with difficulty. We struggled to say goodbye
to many loyal old friends who no longer had the skills, temperament, or
time to continue their employment with DPW. The result was a more streamlined,
skilled, and motivated workforce that accomplished more than ever before
in a smaller window of time.
The Nevada properties went
through improvements both obvious and beneath the surface. Organization
and utilization were improved in the new shop building. Shade structures
for the wood shop and metal shop were built adjacent to the new shop
building. The Man was constructed in record time because of the improved
work environment.
Shade structure components were constructed there and made ready
for BRC assembly, as were six new portable office buildings. The
Gerlach office was redesigned to
create a better work environment for the larger Business Services Department.
The Gerlach house got
new plumbing and much needed tree trimming. The Black Rock Station
ranch house now has
a real lawn! And we planted 30 trees and our first successful vegetable
and herb gardens.
Also, 2002 saw the formation of the Safety
Committee, with operations both within
DPW and throughout the Burning Man organization.
For the first time, we made a concerted effort to emphasize safety throughout
the workplace. A DPW safety manual was assembled, and a DPW safety video was
produced. (It will be continually updated, making it a never-ending work in
progress.) The safety program included the manual, video, and safety reminders
at the DPW morning meetings, as well as safety equipment, signage, and documentation.
A DPW Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) was on site at the Nevada properties
for the duration of our work season. Few serious injuries were reported this
year, and for the first time we have documentation of what did happen.
Improvements in work conditions, safety awareness, living facilities,
purchasing, receiving, inventory and transportation all
came together with the more streamlined workforce to make DPW a more
efficient, well-oiled
machine. We accomplished much more in a shorter time then ever before.
Numerous challenges approach with the coming year. Some of the improvements
made last year are certainly on-going projects. Many existing functions will
continue
to be streamlined. Washoe County has asked us to comply with several zoning
permits and the accompanying code requirements. This effort will necessitate
a reorganization
of the Black Rock Station facility. New facilities will need to be planned,
designed, and constructed.
In the future, DPW will continue to be the hard-working, dedicated,
responsible workers that we’ve been, but with a renewed emphasis
on efficiency, safety, and community.
Submitted by,
Will Roger, aka Mr. Klean
Click here to read the 2001 DPW report. 