Camp Kitchens.
The camp kitchen areas shall be separate from the company and
officer streets. At least 10 yards will separate the boundaries
of the kitchen and remainder of the camp. Fire pits shall be
dug only in the designated kitchen area, and only where indicated
by the Quartermaster General. Fires may be built only in these
pits. (At some sites, heavily insulated raised platforms may
be established rather than pits.) A fire must never be placed
closer than 20 feet from any tent (flies excepted). Tents
may be set up in the kitchen area for storage of supplies, but
may not be used for sleeping quarters. Fire pits shall be filled
in and returned at the conclusion of an event. Turf is to be
stored face down and kept moist for return to original position.
An area five feet around will be clear of combustibles at each
firepit. Depending on weather and dryness, the Quartermaster
General may increase the area to be cleared. Fires will be no
larger than is necessary for cooking, though they may be used
as gathering and social areas after meal times. No member of
the public shall be allowed within 10 yards of a firepit. If
a rope barrier is not provided, create your own between your
fire and the public. Use a table, bench, firewood, cooking equipment
or anything else at hand to create a physical or at least psychological
barrier. No soldier carrying powder will be allowed within the
boundaries of the camp kitchen area.
Kitchen Fire Safety:
Every fire must always be attended by an adult. A bucket full
of water, a wool blanket,and a shovel must be kept at each fire.
The water in the bucket is not be used for any purpose but extinguishing
fire. Children may not start or tend fires (fetching wood
is permitted). Persons tending fires should always have another
adult present in case of an emergency. Persons working with an
open fire should wear tightly woven garments of wool or linen,
since these are least likely to flare up or burn vigorously.
Children are never to run through or play in any location where
fires are present (remember, a major cause of child mortality
in the 18th century was death by burns). Do not allow young
children to use knives or sharp instruments in your kitchen or
working area.
Personal Fire Emergencies:
Use the 'Stop, Drop and Roll' technique as advocated by fire
safety authorities, if your clothing catches fire. If someone
near you catches fire, help them to "Stop, Drop and Roll',
and smother their clothing with a wool blanket. In the event
of a clothing fire, send a third party to summon medical aid.
If a person with bum injuries goes into shock, have them lie
down, elevate their feet, keep them warm, shade them from the
sun, and do not handle the burned areas or attempt further treatment
unless you are an EMT, nurse or physician (who is both qualified
and aware of the potential liability).
Tent Fire Safety:
No lit candles are permitted in a soldier's or wedge tent unless
the tent is free of straw, or the candle is securely mounted
in an enclosed metal lantern that has a door with a fastening
mechanism.
Tent Fire Emergencies:
In the event of a tent fire, immediately determine if anyone
is in the burning ten ... at the same time raise the cry of 'Fire,
Fire!", to summon aid. If the fire seems likely to spread
down a row of tents, move a few tents away from the one on fire
and collapse a tent to slow the fire's progress. Knock out the
upright poles to collapse a tent quickly. Collapse more than
one tent if needed.
Animals:
Animals in camp are the sole responsibility of the owners. This
includes dogs as well as horses and any other animals. Dogs shall
be kept on a leash at all times. Horses, when not being ridden
or led by their riders, shall be kept in the Horse Park, securely
tethered or corralled. No person not involved as a part of an
event with horses may enter the Horse Park. No members of the
public shall at any time be allowed inside the Horse Park.
Artillery Park:
Artillery ammunition shall be kept in the Artillery Park, in
fire proof containers, and under constant guard. No one not a
member of an artillery unit shall come within 10 yards of an
artillery ammunition storage or loading area. There shall be
no fire pits within 40 yards of an Artillery Park.
Individual Ammunition:
Individual cartridge pouches, or infantry until ammunition containers,
shall never be left unattended by individual soldiers unless
under the supervision of a designated until sentry. Loose powder
is forbidden in the camp. All loading of cartridges must be done
away from the event location. In May of 1985 (at a non-British
Brigade event) a novice loading in camp blew up his cartridge
box, fortunately hurting no one else. Load where you have full
control, plenty of time, and are not subjected to the errors
of others. Do it at home before you come. If loading is allowed
at an event, it will be only at a selected and secured location
designated by the PROVOST in consultation with the QuarterMaster
General. Loading will be supervised by the PROVOST or a designee
from his staff. No person not authorized to handle weapons as
part of their role may load cartridges or carry ammunition.
There shall be no discharge
of weapons inside the camp.
Flashing pans is permitted if done under the supervision of a
noncommissioned or commissioned officer. Test firing or training
firing must be done only in a selected and secured location designated
by the PROVOST in consultation with the QuarterMaster General,
and with the concurrence of the Chief Safety Officer as to time
and volume. No loaded weapons shall be carried inside the camp.
(The sole exception to this policy will be at those times
that the camp itself is intentionally included as a part of the
tactical demonstration scenario, and prearranged with the site
coordinators). Sentries inside the camp shall not carry loaded
weapons. Sentries posted outside the camp may carry loaded weapons
at the discretion of the Chief Safety Officer, with the concurrence
of the site coordinators.
Edged Weapons:
There shall be no bayonets fixed, or unsheathed swords carried,
or polearms carried in any way except in a vertical position
in the camp. Sentries are the sole exception to this rule, and
they SHALL have bayonets fixed.
Live cartridges:
Live cartridges will not be exposed to any member of the public,
whether they are smoking or not. If you wish to display a cartridge
for interpretive purposes, it must be a 'dummy', filled with
sand or other inert powder substitute.
Tomahawk Throwing:
Throwing of knives, hatchets, axes, or other weapons for sport
or competition may be done within the boundaries of the camp.
At some events, it may not be permitted at all. If it is permitted,
with site coordinator concurrence, a location shall be selected
by the PROVOST in consultation with the Quartermaster General
with a clear background. No members of the public will be allowed
within 30 yards of any such activities.
Children:
Children are a part of any encampment. Minor children, meaning
anyone not yet eighteen years of age, are the responsibility
of parents or legal guardians. In the absence of either, the
commanding officer of the unit to which they belong shall be
considered to be in loco parentis both factually and legally.
This specifically includes soldiers who are under eighteen. Although
children are expected to act like children, and it is hoped,
to have fun, they may not be permitted to run wild through the
camp. Furthermore, adult members of THE BRITISH BRIGADE have
the right NOT to be bothered by other people's children. Children
in camp are expected to be dressed authentically and also to
act the same way.
