Safety Teams

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Our safety teams want you to have the best time at SideBurn. We encourage you to know your limits, use buddy systems, and be safe. A burn is many tiring days of fun, less sleep than usual, maybe not enough water or veggies, and living without our usual creature comforts.

Remember: Stay hydrated with water. Bad things happen when you are dehydrated–crankiness, fainting, regrettable actions, and brutal hangovers. Take care of yourself and be smart. For example, this is not the best environment to consume 1200 mg of cannabis edibles for the first time.

Most of our safety infrastructure is run by volunteers and we are operating with camping-level infrastructure and resources. Should your needs exceed the capacity of your own camp or our resources on-site, we may have to make tough decisions about how to assist you off-site.

Rangers

Rangers are volunteers who dedicate a portion of their time to ensure the safety and the well-being of attendees. They are not cops or security guards. Their role is to be helpful, unobtrusive, and non-confrontational.

For example, they won’t stop you from climbing up that giant piece of art–but if you fall, they’ll call for help. Rangers undergo special training that empowers them to deal with a variety of situations they may encounter, including mediation, safety issues, and maintaining community standards. They focus on people, not property.

Rangers always work in pairs, are sober, and carry radios to call for support and resources if needed. They serve as a liaison between the community, other departments, event organizers, and external agencies.

If you are interested in learning more about Rangers or would like to be a trained Ranger, check out our online course here: SideBurn Ranger Training.

Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a quiet space, staffed with trained volunteers, where members of our community might find refuge if they are feeling overwhelmed, experiencing sensory overload, or going through a challenging experience.

Sanctuary volunteers are easily identifiable by their green shirts. You’ll find them stationed inside their tent near the HUB, or walking around the event. During peak day and evening hours, the Vibe Patrol team from Sanctuary will also be out and about to offer support.

Remember: If you or a friend is having a difficult experience, please find a Sanctuary volunteer or Ranger who can escort you to Sanctuary if needed. You can also ask anyone with a radio to call the Rangers for assistance.

First Aid

For 2025 we have contracted First Response Ontario EMS for our first aid/medical support. They can be found at the First Aid tent in the HUB area with their UTV and AmbuBus. If you or someone else requires assistance please come to the tent.

In the case of a serious injury, find someone with a radio (such as a Ranger or other volunteer) to request medical assistance to your location. We have a UTV and stretcher if needed. If it’s safe to move the person, take them to the HUB and/or radio for First Aid as soon as possible.

Remember: Practice radical self reliance. Our most common injuries tend to be burns, scratches, sprains, and ticks. Come prepared to handle these types of issues on your own. Should you injure yourself, we can help clean and bandage injuries. We also have some basic supplies available for self-care if you find yourself in a pinch without something essential (think menstrual products, Advil, earplugs). Don’t hesitate to come and ask us for help.

Please note: This team is not here to prescribe medication or treat complex conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition (such as allergies, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.), please tell someone–your friends, campmates, or fellow SideBurners.

Bring any medication prescribed to you that you may need during the event in its original packaging. If necessary, let people know where you keep it (e.g., EpiPen). We do not provide refrigeration for medication, but our equity team can provide you access to charging infrastructure for medical devices at the HUB. Please contact equity@sideburn.ca in advance of the event so we can make sure we have the right infrastructure available to you.

The nearest hospital is in Napanee, a 20-minute drive from the venue. If necessary, don’t hesitate to call 911, as the event site has cell and internet coverage. After doing so, please inform someone at HUB or anyone with a radio so we can prepare for their arrival and dispatch First Aid in the meantime.

Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.