What Rangers do on Shift

Also see the Overview of the Firefly Rangers page.

Shift Tasks

While on shift, Rangers may need to do a variety of tasks. These could include but are not limited to:

• Walk around the event: We try to have rangers check on all areas of the event periodically.
• Stay in one place for a while: it’s recommended to hang out and chill with other participants, especially if it’s a quiet day and there are a couple teams of rangers on.
• Assist participants in acclimating to the woods and the community.
• Answer questions like:
  • Where are the porta potties?
  • Where can I camp?
  • Can I light my art on fire?
  • Have you seen my pants?
• Help out agitated and disoriented participants.
  • They may need to go to Sanctuary
  • They may need medical attention
• Mediate situations and disputes between participants.
• Address and report any instances of non-consensual physical or sexual assault.
• Inform participants of potentially hazardous weather situations.
• Maintain safety perimeters and scene control as needed.
• Provide other non-confrontational mediation and safety activities as needed.
• Mobilize medical, law enforcement, fire response, or other life-safety services.
• Just hang out: maintain a presence at the event & forge relationships with the community.
• Have fun!

Some shifts will be intense, most of the time they will be “boring”.

Rangers balance helping and staying out of the way

Keeping participants safe & happy/being helpful

Not getting in way of people’s experiences

Rangers do nothing!

What is the main thing we do as Rangers? Nothing!

• Active process
• Let things play out
• Intervene as little as possible
• Goal to get participants to solve their own problems
• Sometimes just being there is a reminder to participants to think about their behavior

Rangers have fun!

• Participate!
• Engage!
• Chill!
• Wander!
• Enjoy Art!

Rangers stay aware, alert, sober & available!

It is possible to have “too much fun.” Engaging in an activity where you cannot stay aware, alert or available is not appropriate for a Ranger shift. For example, cuddle puddles do not need Rangering.

Continue on to the next page: Rangerly and Unrangerly Behavior