Welcome home, ESD.
We sure missed you if you're returning, and if you're new, we're excited to see you and get you all uniformed up. As part of the ESD team, you're going to meet some of the most wonderful, creative, and fun humans on the playa.
First stop on playa: check in at Plans, 3:15 & C, behind Medical Station 3. Bring your ID.
And if you can't find what you need here, just ask a human at the counter in the shirt shack. That's what we're here for.
— Irene and James, ESD Planning
BM Shift Board
ESD Volunteers, use the link below to connect to the BM ShiftBoard and check your schedules. You can view your shifts, but you cannot add or change your shifts. Please send a CVC contact below if you need help with your shifts.
Open Burning Man ShiftboardPlaya Events · WhatWhereWhen
Looking for something to do off shift? Browse the official WhatWhereWhen event listings to look up events, performances, and artwork happening across Black Rock City all week. Served right here on the ESD-Checkin network, no internet required.
Browse Playa EventsESD FAQ
Shifts
How do I check/change my shifts?
Use your device to connect to ESD-Checkin WiFi (limited, no internet) to:
- Access Shift Board to check your schedule or add shifts
- Send a message to your ESD Volunteer coordinator
- Access this Q&A
How do I contact the CVC?
Use the Contact VC form at the bottom of this page. Your message goes straight to the ESD VC team.
What is the CVC?
The Centralized Volunteer Coordinators. New this year: one central team replaces individual volunteer coordinators. Reach them with the contact form below, or email esd-cvc@burningman.org from your own phone.
Meals & Showers
What's a PANDA?
Plastic card, loaded with several meals for use at the commissary
Where did the PANDA name come from?
PANDA: Prepaid And Nutritious Dining Allowance
Lost your PANDA pass?
Bad news: PANDAs aren't replaceable. Guard it with your life, or someone else will be eating your meals at the commissary. (Pro tip: the plastic ID sleeve keeps everything together.)
What's a meal POG?
Paper card for a single meal for use at the commissary
What's a shower POG?
Shower passes for the wet spot, “Personnel Other than Grunt”
Lost your shower POG?
Not replaceable, hold onto it. Though if you genuinely look like you could use a shower, come talk to us.
What is the Wet Spot?
Where you take your shower POG to enjoy a shower
Where is the Wet Spot?
5:30 and way the fuck out there
How do I get a meal at the commissary?
With your Panda Pass, a meal POG, or meal privileges on your laminate (tied to the barcode)
Where are my meal and shower passes?
Your Panda Pass and pogs should already be clipped to your laminate when you pick it up. Missing something you earned, or need more? The CVC can help.
What if I'm working a shift at mealtime?
Station staff and Plans staff get meals delivered; QRV goes to the commissary
Where is the commissary located?
In a big white tent at 5:30 and D
Uniforms & Gear
What uniform items can I receive?
Whatever's listed in your record. The standard issue: first year gets 2 t-shirts (your choice of style) plus a hat, second year adds 1 more t-shirt, and the start of your third year earns the hoodie. This year everyone also gets a beanie, there are enough for all. Ask at check-in and we'll pull up your record.
Lost, forgot, or damaged a uniform item?
In most cases we'll replace it. Please just ask when you check in. We've also got returned and upcycled items that might work (doesn't apply to hoodies and hats). That's where the saying “that's old hat” comes from.
Where do I pick up my off-duty gear?
You don't — new this year, off-duty gear ships directly to your home after the event.
When can uniform shirts be worn?
Only when on duty and in your duty location
Can ESD hats be worn “off duty”?
Absolutely
When do I get my ESD hoodie?
At the start of your third year of ESD service
Who gets the fancy ESD dress shirts?
Chiefs
IDs & Check-In
What is an ESD BMID?
It's the official Burning Man ID that has your first name, last name initial, and a bar code used to gain access to resources at BRC
Lost your ESD BMID?
Report it at check-in and we'll request a new one for you. Heads up: a request is not a guarantee of a replacement, so keep track of that thing.
Do I need ID to check in?
Yes. Photo ID is required for every check-in in 2026, no exceptions. Have it ready and things go fast.
Where do I check in?
At Plans: 3:15 & C, behind Medical Station 3. Clearing check-in is your first order of business on playa, before starting your shift.
When is Plans open?
Tuesday, Aug 25 through Friday, Sept 4: 8 AM to 8 PM. Saturday, Sept 5 and Sunday, Sept 6: 8 AM to 6 PM.
What should I bring to check-in?
Your personal identification, and any old, lightly worn uniform gear that doesn't fit or that you don't want anymore. We re-purpose it.
About ESD
ESD department listing
- Communications (Coms)
- Crisis Intervention (CIT)
- Fire
- Logistics (Logs)
- Medical
- Planning
- Pre-post event
What do the unique lanyard colors indicate?
Authority, training, and functional area in the ESD org
What does each lanyard color mean?
- Orange — General staff (most branches)
- Blue — Medical and Fire field staff
- Purple — CIT staff
- Light Green — Medical clinical staff
- Dark Green — Medical field and station leads
- Red — Supervisors, lieutenants, and shift leads
- Yellow — Duty Chiefs and Comms managers
- Rainbow — Branch Chiefs and Deputies
What indicates IV-trained medical staff?
A small sticker placed on the BMID
Can you share the WiFi Password?
We would love to, but we can't because of that one person who downloaded all that porn last year.
Who built this City?
Rock-n-roll. And DPW. Mostly DPW.
What makes the ESD Plan Volunteers so Special?
We're the people who can find your size XL shirt in a pile of smalls, remember your playa name from three years ago, and somehow always have exactly what you need... even when you're not sure what that is. Saying “yes” to you, makes us happy.
CVC Connect
Contact the Centralized Volunteer Coordinators (CVC). Have a question or issue for your CVC? Fill out this form and send it in. It will be delivered to the ESD VC team.