Safety Rules

Safety & Ordnance (S.O.G.)
of the
Division Cavalry Brigade, Inc.

1.0 ORGANIZATION

1.1 The Colonel of the Brigade shall appoint the BRIGADE SAFETY OFFICER.

He will serve as the 1st. Lt. and shall serve on the Staff of all Brigade Events. In his absence the Colonel shall appoint a 2nd Lt. He will serve at the pleasure of the Colonel and may be replaced by him at any time with just reason. The Brigade Safety Office shall enforce and maintain the DCB safety S.O. G.’s.

1.2 Each member unit of the Brigade will provide the name and mailing address /email of it’s SAFETY NCO to the Brigade Safety Officer. Any changes in appointment will be copied to the same.

2.0 DUTIES

2.1 It is the duty of the appointed Brigade Safety Officer to actively and vigorously supervise the Safety Program, Regulations and S.O. G. set forth by the DCB and the sponsors of the event being attended. Specific duties of the BSO during an event will include, but not limited to the following:

2.1.1 Full time duty of overall supervision of safety during the event. This includes safety supervision of Brigade units during maneuvers from behind the firing lines.

2.1.2 Ensuring that company commanders and /or 1st Sgts conduct safety briefings and completed reports of and to the DCB Headquarters prior to marching each day.

2.1.3 Spot checking of horses, canteens, cartridges and firearms during safety inspections.

2.1.4 To oversee the inspection of weapons conducted by each unit/company etc.

2.1.5 Ensuring the Brigade Accident/incident reports are promptly submitted.

2.1.6 Submitting a written after action safety report to the Brigade Commander.

2.1.7 Maintain and update Safety and Ordnance S.O. G.s.

3.0 ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS

3.1 Accidents and incidents will be reported to respective unit appointed safety NCO who will prepare and submit an incident report to Hdq. for the file.

3.2 The Brigade Safety Officer will maintain such reports along with follow-ups reports from involved parties pertaining to the final results of such incidents.

3.3 Brigade units must include in their morning report at ALL EVENTS that a safety and firearm handling and firing procedure was briefed to all attending unit members prior to participation in any battles.

3.4 Violations of the D.C.B. Safety and Ordinance S.O.G.s will be dealt with at the time of the violation. A written “Notice of Violation” will be given to Unit Commander and a copy forwarded to the Brigade Executive Officer for action.

4.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

4.1 All participants must be fifteen (15) years of age or older to carry a weapon on the battlefield at any event.

4.2 Participants between the ages of thirteen (13) and eighteen (18) years of age must have parental consent in writing /and or a parent present on the field in order to take a part in events. Parental consent must be filed with the Brigade Safety Officer.

4.3 Participants between the ages of thirteen (13) and fourteen (14) may serve as functional musicians and /or runners, flag curriers for the Company/ Battalion/ Brigade officers with the prior approval of the Brigade Safety Officer.

5.0 CAMP SAFETY

5.1 Fire pits will only be placed and dug in assigned or authorized areas. Only one (1) pit per company street to measure no larger than 2’ X 3’. All firepots must be at least 20 paces from any tent.

5.2 Minors not of combative age must be under the supervision of a parent/guardian at all times. Adults taking responsibility for someone else’s children must have such permission in writing and a copy shall be retained by the Brigade Safety Officer for the duration of the event.

5.3 Anyone found under the influence of alcohol will NOT be permitted to take arms or enter any battles or scenarios.

5.3.1 Consumption of excess alcohol is discouraged.

5.3.2 Consumption of alcohol by minors is not permitted. As per local and State Laws.

5.4 The use of illegal drugs is prohibited. Any such incidents will be reported to the event provost and shall be reported to the local authorities.

5.5 All tents shall be placed apart from each other by two (2) paces.

5.6 NO LITTERING! All units shall leave the area in better condition than when arrived upon.

5.7 NO weapons will be discharged within camp boundaries without prior permission from the Brigade Safety Officer of Officer of the Day. The exception to this will be weapons undergoing cleaning and or repairs, which may be discharged at the boundary of the Camp after sufficient verbal notice. (i.e: shouting “FIRE IN THE HOLE”)

5.8 It is recommended that a full water bucket be kept adjacent to all campfires.

5.10 No one will place any material into fire pits OTHER than firewood. This includes trash, soda cans, medical waste, etc. All trash and litter should be kept in trash bags/containers out of sight until the end of the event. Soda and beer cans in particular will not be stored or consumed in the area of any fire pit. An unopened can accidentally dropped in the fire pit can become a bomb and can cause serious injury or death to anyone in the immediate area.

5.11 All non-period containers or packages will be kept out of sight in tents, covered and away from campfires.

5.12 Any objects that can become a trip hazard at night (i.e.: flag staff holders) must be marked with a strip of white cloth and may be removed during daylight hours.

5.13 Quiet hours are to be observed.

5.14 Axes, hatchets when not in use, should be embedded in a chopping block or tucked under the log near the woodpile.

5.15 Women working around the campfire will not wear hoops.

5.16 Fires should be properly banked at night.

5.17 Bonfires are for school pep rallies not Civil War re-enactments.

5.18 Open flames are not permitted to be left burning in tents at any time.

5.19 Unattended lanterns shall not be left in a tent.

5.20 Open flames should not be used in tents where straw is used as bedding. The old candle in the bayonet could become a candle in the straw far too easily.

6.0 ANIMALS IN CAMP.

6.1 All horses brought onto site are required to have a current coggins certificate, which will be checked by the Cavalry Commander and/or event staff.

6.2 Horses should be trained for gunfire and battle. Horses should not participate if the Cavalry Commander is not satisfied with their behavior.

6.3 HORSES WILL NOT be ridden through the company streets of ANY CAMP.

6.4 Horses will only be picketed in areas designated by the Brigade/Division Commander. When allowed, command and staff mounts will be as close to Brigade Headquarters as terrain and safety permits.

6.5 All domestic animals (i.e.: dogs) shall be kept on a leash or on a device to fit the period, as per the local and/or municipal laws. Water should be provided at all times.

6.6 All animals used for camp effects (i.e.: chicken, cows) shall be kept in proper pens and/or cages to fit the period.

6.7 Proper license and/or health paper should be kept with the animal’s owner on the site at all times.

6.8 If there is a re-enactment of the camp punishment caution and common sense should be used in order not to cause injury upon the convicted person.

7.0 WEAPONS SAFETY

7.1 EACH UNIT/COMPANY COMMANDER AND/OR UNIT/COMPANY SAFETY N.C.O. prior to each event, drill, battle will inspect weapons. All weapons shall be cleaned, in good working order and inspected, before being allowed in the field.

7.1.1. Barrels shall be cleaned and free of obstructions. When the rammer is inserted, bell down, just a few threads should extend above the top of the barrel.

7.1.2. The nipple should be visualized to ensure that it is not bent or deformed and is properly seated.

7.1.3. The half cock will test on all weapons, and the weapon shall be capable of supporting the weapon by the trigger while at half cock. Pressure may be applied to the hammer, which should also be checked for side to side play or looseness, but at no time should the hammer be struck.

7.2 No modern firearms and/or weapons OF ANY KIND.

7.3 No Hawkins, Zouave, Kentucky, Plains or Flintlock firearms are allowed, unless proof can be shown that the Unit had and used them.

7.4 No “REAL” firearms of the Civil War period will be allowed on the battlefield.

7.5 Cavalry will be equipped with carbine, sidearm and saber unless otherwise instructed by the Commanding Officer.

7.6 Exceptions to these rules would be units that carried breech loaders historically.

7.6.1. All sidearms shall be carried in a proper military holster with a flap capable of being fastened.

7.6.2. At no time should open or western style quick draw holsters shall be used.

7.6.3. If spare cylinders for a sidearm are to be carried, they MUST be in proper cases of the period design and worn on the belt or saddle bags.

7.7 NO LIVE CARTRIDGES WITH PROJECTILES ARE PERMITTED AT ANYTIME, EITHER IN CAMP AND /OR ON A FIELD. Cartridges must be of lightweight paper in period style. Penny wrappers, staples, etc can become projectiles if loaded and are not to be used. Each member re-enactor is responsible for the contents which is poured down the barrel/cylinder of his/her weapon.

7.71 Optimal packing for sidearms would be cream of wheat, peanut butter, or a commercial black powder grease such as “spitball”.

7.8 Cartridge papers will not be loaded and/or rammed, unless commanded by the Brigade Commander. (This is used for Special Effects in certain situations) Powder will be poured.

7.81 Cartridges will never be laid on the ground and dropped cartridges shall be inspected for debris such as stones, rocks, twigs etc. before using.

7.9 Recommended maximum charges are:

Musket/carbines    60 grains

Sidearms                30 grains

7.91 Wadding should NOT be used in cartridge construction unless specifically required for that type of weapon.

7.92 Cartridges should not be rolled in camp except in cases of absolute necessity. Should this be the case, it must be done in daylight and away from any source of flame.

7.10 FIREARMS WILL NEVER BE AIMED DIRECTLY AT ANY PERSON OR ANIMAL.

7.11 Firearms will not be discharged at a range inside twenty-five (25) yards. All firings will be elevated so as not to endanger any combatant or animal.

7.12 Fingers should be kept off the trigger and outside the trigger guard while on the move.

7.13 Fouled weapons will be taken twenty (20) paces to the rear of the lines before attempting to clear.

7.14 Ramrods will NOT be drawn on the battlefield, for any reason other than the Safety officer.

7.15 So sheath knives of any type will be carried on any field.

7.16 Fireworks and/or flares of any type are prohibited, unless prior authorization by the Brigade Commander and the Brigade Safety Officer.

7.17 Placing the barrel of any weapon inside of a boot/shoe/bootee is strictly prohibited.

7.18 NO smoking or open flames are permitted in the ranks when weapons are loaded or being loaded.

7.19 No grounding of a loaded firearm at anytime.

7.20 Firearms shall be discharged before taking a hit.

7.21 All saber scabbard rings MUST be soldered or welded together as to NOT come open on the field.

7.22 All weapons will be inspected prior to loading as well as all ammunition.

7.23 NO unit will take the field until Division Headquarters has received the proper reports.