Every year we build art and then have the opportunity to burn it to the ground— creating a major combustion event! A structure and parts of it may explode. A Burn Perimeter is made up of volunteers who, instead of watching that beautiful spectacle, hold space in one spot looking outward at the crowd, forming a perimeter. We do this by forming a safety circle around the burning art installations starting around 2 hours prior to ignition, and remain in place until it is deemed safe for participants to approach.
New to Alchemy in 2023, we also have a roaming team known as Moth People who move through the crowd prior to and during the combustion event.
Volunteer Requirements
Equipment
A reflective safety vest will also be loaned to you upon your arrival for your shift. It needs to be returned at the end of your shift.
A flashlight for seeing and potentially signaling others
Whistle (optional)
Layers of clothing, natural fibers!
Closed-toed shoes
Full water bottle
Snacks
Knee pads or quick pack stool
Physical Activities & Requirements for this position
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
You must be able to attend the on-site Perimeter Training on Saturday afternoon.
Be comfortable physically blocking individuals from approaching, crowding, or crossing the perimeter line.
You must be sober during your shift.
Outer Perimeter
Must be at least 18+ years old.
Be alert and communicative.
Inner Perimeter
Must be at least 18+ years old.
Only applies to the Effigy Burn on Saturday night.
Required to have served on Perimeter previously with a proven track record of reliability.
Contact the Perimeter Lead(s) directly if you are interested in this role.
Moth People
Must be at least 18+ years old.
Be alert and communicative.
Job Descriptions
Soft Perimeter
Refers to the early arrivals. In the last of the daylight hours, this team will hold space for burn down crew, pyrotechnics and fire service to work on set up. A soft perimeter volunteer may or may not choose to stay for the duration of the major combustion event.
Hard Perimeter
Refers to the volunteers expected to stay from dark thirty until the structure burn is deemed safe to approach and the shift is concluded by the Perimeter Lead.
Outer Perimeter
The volunteers closed to the crowd.
Inner Perimeter
One person per quadrant that stands approximately two feet from outer perimeter and is permitted to move within their quadrant to support the outer team (fill in holes if someone needs a bathroom break or be called on if someone raises a concern).
Moth People
This team roams throughout the crowd looking for potential risks to the perimeter. Details will be discussed in training.
Perimeter Lead
The Perimeter Lead role is similar to being a Stage Manager, and they should possess the following qualities:
Cool Head: ability to stay calm in the middle of chaos.
Good Organizational Skills: ability to coordinate and manage the perimeter crew.
Communication and People Skills: ability to communicate clearly at all levels, and communicate face-to-face instructions to perimeter team.
Understanding The Big Picture: ability to set up in advance and manage the chain of command, the timeline for the perimeter set up, performance, and the rendezvous point for perimeter team, ensuring everybody knows exactly where they should be, what to expect, what to do, and who is in charge
References
GA Burn Perimeter Volunteers Group