Hat Creek Radio Observatory Use Guidelines
The Hat Creek Radio Observatory (HCRO) is a research field station of the University of California, Berkeley. While you are visiting our staff will do their best to help you maximize your research objectives. To this end, housing, housekeeping services, and limited assistance on your research project or administrative issues are available from our staff at no cost. In return, we ask that you read the general site information and follow the simple guidelines outlined below. These guidelines are intended to enhance interpersonal contact and day-to-day operations without compromising your research needs or the research needs of others at the site.
All researchers/visitors who are not employees or students of the
University of California MUST fill out a Liability Waiver Form when you come on
site.
A. Please keep us informed:
1. Please make arrangements for your stay ahead of time by calling the site manager, Susie Jorgensen, at (530) 335-2364 or emailing her at susie@hcro.berkeley.edu
Otherwise you may find the gates locked and/or all accommodations in use.
2. Check in and out with the administrative office. Occasionally there is information about activity on the site that you need to know.
3. Let us know if you encounter a situation that needs attention, a repair that is required, or supplies that are missing.
B. Please remember that your project is not the
only thing going on at HCRO and that resources on site are limited.
1. Please be considerate of other researchers staying in the dormitories or at Hat Creek House. This includes noise and driving courteously on site roads.
2. Make your requests of site staff reasonable: they are trying to balance a number of competing priorities.
3. Don’t touch, use or move items that are not yours without asking.
4. With prior authorization from the site manager and availability of space, immediate family members (spouse and children) of researchers may stay on site for free. All other guests will be charged a fee of $25 per person. Unauthorized guests will be asked to leave the site and a minimum cleaning fee of $25 (plus $25/each additional hour) will be billed to you or your home institution for housekeeping services related to the unauthorized guest(s).
C. Please help us by being tidy.
1. Please do not litter.
2. Clean up after yourself: put away tools, instruments, dishes, and other items.
3. Take all your food with you when you leave or dispose of it.
D. For your safety and continued ability to use
the site, follow the instructions of the site staff at all times!
YOUR COOPERATION IN COMPLYING WITH THESE GUIDELINES
IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Hat Creek Radio Observatory
Information and Operational Guidelines
Operational guidelines (rules by any other name) that are fair and cover every situation are impossible to write. By offering these guidelines we hope to encourage a responsible pattern of living that allows each of us the greatest possible freedom while accomplishing the research objectives at the site.
The following guidelines are based on the experiences of those who live, work, and do research on the Hat Creek Radio Observatory (HCRO) site. They are an invitation to enhance the smooth operation of all activities, including the enjoyment of after-work hours and the privacy of living units. If you have any questions about these operational guidelines or about issues not addressed in the guidelines, please check with the site staff.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
NUMBERS:
For medical, fire or police emergencies dial:
911
The site address is: HAT CREEK RADIO OBSERVATORY
42231 Bidwell Road
Hat Creek, CA 96040
(530) 335-2364
Then, report all emergencies immediately to a member of the site staff.
STAFF LISTING:
Forster, Rick Resident
Astronomer Home: 335-4804 Work:
ext. 14
Gimblin, Gary Automotive
Technician Home: 335-3804 Work: ext. 17
Jorgensen, Susanne Site Manager / MSO I Home:
335-5289 Work: ext. 10
Kaufman, Jeff Pr.
Electronics Technician Home: 335-4789 Work: ext. 21
Masters, Mark Development
Technician Home: 335-3986 Work: ext. 17
Carol Shumaker Administrative Assistant Home: 335-2981 Work: ext. 11
Wirth, Jim Development
Technician Home: 335-2980 Work: ext. 13
Romelia Gonzalez Custodian Home: 335-4454 Work: ext.
ON SITE STAFF CONTACT
NUMBERS FOR AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES:
If an urgent situation arises after hours, you may contact one of the two-onsite staff by phoning directly to their home(s).
Rick Forster: 335-4804
Jim “Red” Wirth: 335-2980
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
DIAL 911
ROADS, GATES AND SECURITY
Please follow the same traffic rules that you would on a public roadway. Bear in mind that while driving onsite one will likely encounter pets, visitors of all ages, vendors, staff, or even a stray cow. Stay on the paved roads and travel at reasonable, safe speeds, not to exceed 25 MPH. Do not park on roadways or block vehicular travel in any way.
Gates are open and unlocked only during working hours: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays). If you plan to enter the site outside of these hours, please coordinate your arrival with the site manager in advance.
Gates are always to be left as you find them. If you unlock the gate, be sure to look at the closure before you unlock it and put it back exactly as you found it. You may NOT give the gate combination to anyone.
All common buildings are to remain locked after business hours. Visitor key rings are located in the library of the dormitory. Please return the keys when you are finished using them. Charges associated with replacement of lost keys will be billed to the visitors’ institution. The Hat Creek House is locked at all times. If you are scheduled to stay in the house, please see the site manager for access to this building.
VISITORS:
The HCRO site manager, Susie Jorgensen, must approve use of HCRO in advance. This includes research, instructional, conference, and personal visitors. For liability and security reasons it is necessary that everyone:
These requirements relate to research, business and personal visitors. Because the site has limited housing resources, overnight housing for personal visitors will only be allowed when it does not interfere with the research or business of the University. We will try to accommodate all reasonable requests. Please remember that this is not a hotel or resort, but a place of business and that that business and your safety are our highest priorities.
PETS:
Socially skilled, obedient pets are allowed on site under the following conditions:
C. Pets must have current vaccinations and license.
FIRE PROTECTION:
Fire danger can be severe in the HCRO area, especially in late summer. Because Hat Creek has a small volunteer fire department, you become a major component in fire safety. Quick action may be the only chance we have of controlling a structure or wildland fire. In case of fire, call 911 immediately.
Outdoor cooking may only be performed in appropriate BBQ’s and must never be left unattended while in use. Please do not dump charcoal, ashes, or other hot materials outdoors! Ask for assistance with proper disposal from the on site staff.
Fireplaces:
Fireplaces are to be used by experienced personnel only. Do not leave fires unattended. Do not burn trash in the fireplace.
Emergency Fire
Procedures:
Fire extinguishers are provided at each site building. Please familiarize yourself with their locations. Only trained personnel may make use of fire extinguishers. If fire cannot be suppressed within one minute, discontinue efforts and contact emergency personnel for assistance. Under no circumstances should you ever put yourself or others in danger.
Small fire: Attempt to extinguish with the nearest extinguisher. Efforts to extinguish should not exceed one minute! If fire is not clearly extinguished after one minute, discontinue efforts and follow emergency procedures listed below.
Large fire, or fire that has potential to become large:
Immediately follow emergency procedures listed below.
1) Evacuate person(s) in or near danger area.
2) Call 911 for emergency assistance.
3) Notify nearest site staff, or site manager.
4) Unlock and open gate and wait at gate for arrival of
emergency personnel.
5) Give emergency personnel clear directions to the specific location of fire.
SMOKING:
Smoking is prohibited in ALL University of California, Berkeley, leased or owned buildings, and vehicles, regardless of their location. This smoke free policy means that smoking is also banned in outdoor facilities and other areas being used for spectator sports, meetings, entertainment, and dining. Unless otherwise prohibited, smoking is permitted outdoors, except within 15 feet of building entrances and exits. Smokers are asked to ensure that their smoke does not enter buildings.
Never discard used matches or cigarette butts around buildings or on the grounds. Please make use of available ashtrays and/or keep smoking litter in your pocket until you find an ash canister.
HOUSING:
The staff at HCRO has a great deal of experience with its facilities and features. They know about almost every nut and bolt, light switch and appliance, pipe and valve, and about unique or special problems that may arise. They may also be able to tell you about the local vegetation, wildlife, weather and road conditions. It would be wise to heed their advice and instruction on matters related to the site.
HCRO provides bedding and towels. The buildings also contain hand soap, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper and dishtowels. The kitchen is fully equipped, including a coffee maker, dishwasher, oven, refrigerator, and microwave. Visitors should bring their own personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste, cosmetics, etc.). You may also want to bring a small flashlight. It’s a good idea to bring sunscreen and mosquito repellant during the warmer months. It snows at HCRO during the winter months, so come prepared for the cold.
HCRO employs a staff member to do custodial duties after a building or room is vacated. We do not provide any type of maid service. Each visitor using the accommodations has the responsibility of maintaining a clean facility. Please wash all dishes; wipe off the kitchen table, stove and counters; rinse out the sink; dispose of food; strip sheets and pillowcases from beds, and place in bin; place used towels in bin; and return any moved furniture to its original position. The home institution of the researcher will be billed for any damages or unusual cleaning services needed because of a researcher or their guest(s). The billing is a $25 minimum fee and an additional $25/hr beyond the first hour for cleaning services, and cost of labor and materials for damages.
VEHICLES AND HEAVY
EQUIPMENT
Transportation
The Radio Astronomy Lab in Berkeley has two four-wheel drive vehicles that may be used by staff and researchers to drive to HCRO. These vehicles are checked out on a first-come first-served basis by contacting Sam Maxie at (510) 642-5275 or through smaxie@astro.berkeley.edu. You must provide a copy of a current drivers license and fill out a liability form. RAL cars should be returned to their campus parking space with a full tank of gas, a clean windshield, and all personal belongings (including trash) removed. Vehicles can only be used by individuals associated with the University of California and our cooperating institutions. Personal visitors may not use these vehicles. Please discuss the appropriate process for obtaining the vehicles and keys when you make your reservations. If these vehicles are not available researchers may wish to rent a car at the expense of their home institution.
Heavy Equipment
There are a crane, man-lift, tractor and forklift on site at HCRO. ALL potential users of this equipment must participate in a formal training process before they can operate it. Please do not enter, climb on or use these pieces of equipment without having passed the formal training process or without express permission of the HCRO manager.
TELEPHONES, FAX
MACHINES, AND MESSAGES
Our listed phone number is (530) 335-2364 and rings through to the automated voice mail system when no one is available.
A phone is available in the dorm and Hat Creek House for making calls on site and local phone calls. Long distance calls should be made using your calling card or personal calling service.
Calls to 911 can be made from any phone.
(530) 335-4944 is our FAX line. Please ask permission of a staff member if you want to use the FAX machine, as it can be expensive to send or receive documents. We will absorb the costs of an occasional page or two, however, we may have to charge phone and fax costs for major use.
A computer is available in the dormitory for e-mail/web access.
Principal Investigators are responsible for the bills of their workers, students or other guests if there are unusual charges.
FINDING THINGS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
HCRO is located in a fairly isolated area. While there is a small store at the turnoff from the highway, it has limited hours and a very limited selection. The nearest location for fuel and groceries is in Burney, about 20 miles from the observatory.
Medical:
Emergencies call 911. If gate is locked, go unlock it so emergency personnel can access site.
Non-emergency medical problems:
Mountain Valley Medical Center
20641 Commerce Way
Burney, CA. 96013
Phone: (530) 335-5457
Laundry facilities:
The laundry facilities onsite are for business use during working hours. If you find it necessary to do personal laundry, please refrain from doing so until after business hours. If you are not familiar with the equipment, please ask for assistance in operating the equipment prior to use.
Post Office:
Hat Creek Post
Office
18624 Hwy 89 (located across from the intersection of
Doty Road and Hwy 89)
Hat Creek, CA 96040
Groceries:
Safeway Holiday
Market.
37264 Main St. Hwy 299 / Main St.
Burney, CA Burney,
CA
335-3212 335-4414
Gasoline:
J-Mart/Pacific Pride Exxon
Kwik Mart Old Station Chevron
38006 Hwy 299 East 37047 Main Street Hwy
89
Johnson Park, CA
96013 Burney, CA 96013 Old
Station, CA 96071
335-5377 335-4447 335-7117
[open 24 hrs.]
Bank:
US Bank
Tri Counties Bank
37131 Main Street 37093
Main Street
Burney, CA 96013 Burney, CA 96013
335-4531 335-2215