Health and Safety

COVID-19 Safety Protocol

Point Reyes Field Station has worked with University of California Berkeley Environmental Health and Safety officers, state and local public health officers, and campus administration to allow use of the field station during the pandemic. All field station users must be approved by their home campuses to perform research at or otherwise visit the field station. UC Berkeley and Point Reyes Field Station have strict COVID-19 safety protocols that users are required to follow and sign before arriving. The UC Berkeley Point Reyes Field Station COVID-19 Safety Protocol Form and Worksite Safety Plan as well the daily symptom screener form can be found on our Waiver and COVID-19 Safety Protocol Information page.

The field station provides hand sanitizer, sanitizing and disinfectant wipes, abundant hand soap, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. We encourage you to also bring your own supplies to ensure your own safety. We do not provide face masks.

 

Emergencies

DIAL 9 FOR AN OUTSIDE LINE ON THE FIELD STATION’S PHONES.

In the case of emergency between 9am and 5pm any day of the week, call Point Reyes National Seashore Park Ranger Dispatch at (415) 464-5170. Outside of those hours, call 911 or the Marin County Sheriff at (415) 472-0911 (indicate that you are at Point Reyes National Seashore at the Hagmaier Ranch facility in Olema Valley). The Sheriff will very likely call one or more Park Rangers to report to the field station, almost all of whom live close to the park.

You can also call the National Park Service Police Headquarters Dispatch in the Presidio in San Francisco (this is where the field station’s fire alarm calls). They will send appropriate help (e.g., fire, sheriff, park rangers, etc.).
Emergencies: 415-561-5656
Non-emergencies: 415-561-5505

Nearest Hospitals
Here are the two hospitals closest to the field station. They are almost the same distance.

Marin General Hospital, 250 Bon Air Rd, Kentfield, CA
Time and distance: 48 minutes, 25.8 miles
Directions:
North (left) on Hwy 1
Right on SFD for 19.5 miles
Right on Bon Air Rd (3.2 miles after passing Red Hill Ave)
Left on Schultz Memorial Dr
Turn right into parking lot

St. Joseph Health, 400 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA
Time and distance: 45 minutes, 27.4 miles
Directions:
North (left) on Hwy 1
Right on Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Left on Platform Bridge Rd (this road turns into Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd at platform bridge stop sign, then turns into Red Hill Rd when crosses Novato Blvd, then turns into D street when crosses San Antonio Rd)
Drive over Petaluma River
Left on Lakeville St
Right on E Washington St
Go over 101 Freeway
Left on N McDowell Blvd
Turn right into parking lot

 

Beehive Warning
There are two active beehives on site. One is on the east side of the barn under the eaves and the other is on the top east part of the Hagmaier Ranch House. A sign is placed beneath the one in the barn. Please be mindful to not create disturbances in these areas. We do not have an Epi-Pen at the field station.

 

Field Safety
University of California Office of the President Risk Services has developed a terrific Field Operations Safety Manual. The manual contains guidelines and resources for leading successful and safe field courses and research campaigns. There are many links throughout the document to seek further information on a variety of topics, including common hazards, first aid and other training, flying drones (including UC’s policies), diving and boating, and best practices for trip leaders. The UC Office of the President Environmental Health and Safety website contains this manual as well as information on upcoming trainings and news. 

 

Fire Safety and Prevention

Vehicle & Equipment Use
– Do not drive or park over dry grass
– Mow before 10a.m.; never mow or trim dry grass or use equipment that could create a spark on a “Red Flag Warning” day
– Be aware of dry, windy conditions and fire warnings
– Spark arresters are required in wild land areas on all portable gas-powered equipment
– Keep gasoline in approved containers with a flame arrester at the spout
– Field crews and staff should carry a fire extinguisher on their vehicle when working in dry terrain
– Follow all fire safety guidelines if your research permit involves flying Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Campfires
– The field station’s campground has a small National Park Service fire ring. Depending on the season of the year, Field station users may need a National Park Service campfire permit in order to have a campfire (permits available at the Bear Valley Visitors Center). Please contact Field Station Director with questions about campfires. 
– Keep your fire in the fire pit and keep it small and under control at all times, even for large groups.
– NEVER leave your campfire unattended.
– Make sure your campfire is completely out before you leave or go to sleep. Douse the embers with water, break them up, and douse them again. A hose is on the south side of the house and buckets are in the tall cabinet in the kitchen. An extra hose is in the broom closet by the lab space in the house if you would like to extend it and have it next to you at the fire pit.
– Even if you have a National Park Service campfire permit, please use your best judgment whether a campfire is safe in windy or low-humidity conditions. Our neighbors in Olema Valley and the rest of the Point Reyes, Inverness, and Bolinas area are depending on your good judgment for their safety!

If your campfire gets out of control
– Try to extinguish it immediately. There is a hose on the south side of the house and buckets in the tall cabinet in the kitchen. An extra hose is in the broom closet by the lab space in the house if you would like to extend it and have it next to you at the fire pit.
– Use water, dirt, or a non-synthetic piece of material (i.e., cotton, wool) to smother the fire. Synthetic materials such as fleece and polypropylene are very flammable.
– If you are unable to safely put the fire out quickly, call 911 (dial 9, then 911) on any National Park Service phone in the house.

More information about campfire safety can be found on the park’s website.

For additional safety information please refer to this page Point Reyes National Seashore’s website.