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Field Trip Resources

By Kainani Dowell

EPSS students, faculty, and researchers participate in field trips as part of regular teaching and research activities. Fieldwork provides an important hands-on learning experience for students, and research conducted in the field improves our understanding of Earth and other planets. Below is a description of the EPSS field trip planning process and the departmental resources available to students, faculty, and research staff. 

QUICK LINKS:

FIELD TRIP PLANNING:

When planning a field trip or research trip, it is important to secure your transportation. Once you know your destination, travel dates, and approximate number of attendees, please fill out and return an EPSS Field Vehicle Reservation Form to the Building Manager, Eric Wessenauer.

Next, you’ll need to complete a Field Safety Plan and send a copy to the Building Manager (Eric Wessenauer), the EPSS CAO (currently Interim CAO Ronke Epps), and most importantly to the EH&S Field Safety Specialist, Claudia Alli well in advance of the trip.

All forms can be found here.

REQUIRED FORMS:

TA’s or PI’s are required to submit:

  1. Field Safety Plan
  2. Vehicle Reservation (If using EPSS Vehicles)
  3. Driver Registration

All participants are required to submit:

  1. Field trip policy form (not required for research trips)
  2. Liability waiver (not required for mandatory field trips)
  3. Emergency contact form.

TA’s or PI’s must:

  1. Submit a Field Safety Plan several days prior to departure to the EPSS Building Manager (Eric Wessenauer – ericw@epss.ucla.edu), EPSS CAO (Interim CAO Ronke Epps – ronke@math.ucla.edu), and EH&S Field Safety Specialist (Claudia Alli – calli@ehs.ucla.edu).
  2. Register your trip with UC Away for travel insurance if traveling more than 100- 200 miles from campus.    https://ehs.ucop.edu/away
  3. Ensure all participants submit field trip policy forms, liability waivers, and emergency contact forms prior to departure.
  4. Contact EH&S Field Safety Specialist, Claudia Alli to secure a loaner Satellite Phone for your trip if you will be traveling out of cell range.  This is MANDATORY.
  5. Conduct a tailgate safety meeting just before departing from campus so all participants are aware of the field safety plan and safety equipment available and are trained to use the satellite phone for emergencies.

Important Personnel Contact Information:

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

TRANSPORTATION:

  • Drivers:  You’ll need to gather volunteers to drive for your field and research trips.  We recommend having at least two drivers per vehicle.  Start asking for volunteers at the beginning of the quarter.
  • EPSS Field Vehicles:  EPSS currently owns and operates four off-road capable vehicles that can be used by department members for field trips or research work.  Field vehicle use is prioritized by class needs over research, taking off-roading requirements into consideration.  The use of the vehicles for research is recharged back at a rate of 49¢ per mile plus the cost of gas including fees.  Field Trips are covered by the department. You can view vehicle availability here.

Current EPSS Vehicles:

  • 2011 Chevrolet Silverado | Seats 4-6
  • 2014 Ford Expedition | Seats 7
  • 2014 Chevrolet Suburban  | Seats 8
  • 2022 Chevrolet Suburban (Diesel) | Seats 8
  • EPSS Field Vehicle Drivers:  All drivers of the EPSS field vehicles must submit an EPSS Driver Registration form with an unofficial copy of their driving record on a bi-annual basis. Driver Registration form can be found and submitted here. Unofficial copies of driving records can be obtained through the DMV’s website for a $2 fee.  California drivers can obtain their driving records here. 
  • BruinCar and other rental vehicles:  BruinCar provides transportation options for faculty, staff, and students for official university business.  Customers may rent vehicles from the internal BruinCar fleet or arrange facilitated rentals from external agencies.
  • BruinCar Drivers:  All staff and students must have an active BruinCar account to use BruinCar.

To sign up, follow the simple two-step process:

  1. Complete your BruinCar profile by providing the required information through this form(link is external).
  2. Sign up for the BruinCar Electronic Pull Notice (EPN) by following the EPN registration process(link is external).

Both steps are necessary to successfully create your BruinCar account.

Please keep in mind that it may take 3-5 business days to process your account creation due to potential delays within the DMV pull programs.

  • School and Coach Busses:  If you need to reserve a school bus or a coach bus for a large field trip, please contact the Building Manager as soon as possible to submit a VSR (Vehicle Service Request) to BruinBus.

FIELD EQUIPMENT:

EPSS Field Gear Loaner Program:  To ensure all students can participate in these trips, the department offers an inventory of basic field/camping gear that can be borrowed by UCLA students at no cost. Students interested in borrowing gear for an upcoming field trip can email your professor, or daym@epss.ucla.edu. Available field gear can be found here.

All department field equipment (stoves, coolers, water jugs, lanterns, etc.) are stored in the locker next to the loading dock in room 1670A.  For assistance and access, please contact:  

Eric Wessenauer via email at ericw@epss.ucla.edu; Phone: 310.825.1420; Office: Geology 3686B.

For additional information on Field Safety Planning, EH&S Equipment Loaner Program, and other trip planning resources, please visit:  https://ehs.ucla.edu/field-research

USEFUL LINKS:

https://ehs.ucla.edu/field-research

field safety plan (link is external)

UC Away (link is external)

Assess potential field hazards here (link is external)

If field injuries or accidents occur, please follow these instructions (link is external). 

Important Links

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