The Problem
Every year, Flashpoint Artists Initiative produces Alchemy, an official Burning Man event; Alchemy has become the largest regional burn in the United States and the second largest regional burn in the world. Founded on the 10 Principles of Burning Man, Alchemy is overseen by the Rangers, a volunteer team of first responders & peaceful problem-solvers who communicate & coordinate by radio.
Although new & veteran Rangers must read through a radio protocol manual before the event, protocol retention has been inconsistent, leading to damaged equipment & safety concerns. After reviewing the radio manual and conducting SMEs interviews with FAI leadership and veteran rangers, I developed a four-part interactive course on Articulate Storyline 360.
The Solution
The FAI Radio Protocol course includes:
1. Radio ABCs – How to make actionable, brief, and clear requests by radio
2. Radio Care Basics – The proper care and feeding of a radio
3. WWW – Who is needed, where are they needed, and when are they needed
4. Radio Lingo – FAI-approved radio terminology to communicate needs efficiently and effectively during emergency situations
2. Radio Care Basics – The proper care and feeding of a radio
3. WWW – Who is needed, where are they needed, and when are they needed
4. Radio Lingo – FAI-approved radio terminology to communicate needs efficiently and effectively during emergency situations
The course was designed in collaboration with FAI’s project manager and was refined based on leadership feedback to be more burner-friendly, balancing the snarky with the serious in keeping with the spirit of Alchemy. Rangers reported that the interactive course was more engaging and memorable than the manual alone, and after implementation, radio protocol incidents substantially decreased.
