During the event, our staff provides a 24-hour presence at two locations on site:
The Duché de Bicolline wants to ensure a healthy environment for its entire community, and in recent years has been working to develop a framework for promoting harmonious coexistence:
The Duché de Bicolline is based on a pedestal of seven core values that guide its actions: cooperation, sustainable development, ethical gaming, involvement, inclusion, respect, and good manners. These values guide us in our development and in the planning of all our activities.
With this goal in mind, we are currently working on developing a new Violence and Harassment Prevention and Management Policy, which we hope will come into effect later this year. This policy will enable the Duché de Bicolline’s values to be applied and ensure the well-being of participants.
Together, these two policies will identify guidelines for intervening and preventing violence in all its forms at Duché de Bicolline.
Sexual violence prevention policy (French Only)
We’ve been working closely with a number of local community organizations over the past few years, including CALACS Entraid’Action de Shawinigan/Mékinac/Haute-Mauricie, to better meet the needs of our community. This year, we’re continuing our efforts in this direction, and hope to partner with other resources. Stay tuned!
The Duché de Bicolline is a relatively remote area, where activities can involve a variety of risks (environmental, physical, related to fatigue or chronic illness, etc.). To enjoy the event in total safety, we invite you to read on. Your care crew will be very grateful!
The team of caregivers is on hand 24 hours a day from early arrival. At least one person is available at all times at the dispensary located to the left of the reception area, and the rest of the team can be found on site depending on programming and needs.
If you need to consult the caregivers, please come directly to the dispensary whenever possible. If you are unable to come to the dispensary, please send someone to notify the organization (Accueil, 1540, Caserne, staff or volunteer with a radio), taking care to clearly identify where the caregivers need to go, your name, the health problem, your physical description, and so on.
To limit delays caused by health problems and reduce the pressure on our caregiver team, we strongly suggest that you carry an accessible first-aid kit that includes, among other things, band-aids and your own medication. This kit should be complete enough to treat a variety of common injuries, including: cuts, burns, foreign bodies in the eye, sports injuries (sprains), foot injuries (cuts, blisters, etc.), dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia and intoxication.
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) is a good resource for establishing your needs based on the number of people in your guild or group and the anticipated level of risk: CNESST – First aid.
While no one wishes to find themselves in this situation, you need to know in advance how and with whom you will be able to leave the site should the need arise. Make sure you have an exit plan in case you need to leave the site: this includes arranging transportation, insurance, identifying a contact person on site to help you, knowing the health resources in the area, etc.
Our team of caregivers cannot provide you with medicines, even if they are common. It is therefore essential to provide a minimum for your guild or group, including (but not limited to):
Weather conditions in the Duché de Bicolline can vary greatly from one day to the next. So it’s a good idea to be well-prepared for them, with appropriate clothing and plenty of it. :
Scorching heat
It’s a good idea to identify places on or near your camp site where you can stay cool (trees, shade, etc.), and always keep cold drinks handy, especially if you’re taking part in sports (tournaments) or combat activities. Avoid drinking alcohol during periods of extreme heat.
Watch out for heat-related symptoms:
If you suffer from these symptoms in hot weather, stay as cool as possible and drink hydrating fluids (ideally water). Ask to be fanned and apply cold water to large areas of your skin or clothing.
Health Canada offers a guide to help you protect yourself in extreme heat. : Extreme heat events: How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat – Canada.cal
Hypothermia risks
Although the Grande Bataille de Bicolline takes place in August, the risk of hypothermia is very real in St-Mathieu-du-Parc. Make sure you stay dry at all times. If you’re cold :
Health Canada offers a guide to help you protect yourself in the event of extreme cold. : Extreme cold – Canada.ca. This guide explains the three stages of hypothermia to help you identify the symptoms.
Be well prepared if you intend to consume alcohol or drugs: have a glass cover, be accompanied by someone you trust in case of intoxication, have Naloxone in your possession and know the procedure, etc. Naloxone is available free of charge from pharmacies.
HÔPITAL DE SHAWINIGAN ET URGENCE 24/7
23 minutes from Duché de Bicolline
PHARMACIES
TAXI SERVICES
A fire prevention and safety resource will be available on site for the duration of the event. Mainly located close to the fire station in the Old Town and reachable at all times by radio, this resource will be responsible for applying the first measures to fight a fire (while awaiting the arrival of local services), will ensure the verification of outdoor fire installations and may have to assume any other function inherent to fire safety on the site.
In the spring of 2023, the Duché de Bicolline announced new regulations relating to outdoor fireplaces and torches. All installations will have to be compliant for the Grande Bataille 2024. Full details are available on our website : https://bicolline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DossierFeu.pdf.
We also plan to better supervise the activities of fire-eaters and fire-handlers to ensure safe shows for all. Details to follow shortly.
It should be noted that in accordance with Article 2 of Bylaw 202312 concerning open-air fires in the municipality of Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, fireworks are prohibited on the territory of the municipality and, consequently, in the Duché de Bicolline.
If you notice a fire in progress, please follow these few steps to report the incident and ensure a quicker response from on-site resources or emergency services. If you are safe and the fire is not out of control, you can also use a portable fire extinguisher to help control the flames and reduce the spread of the fire. Read our Portable extinguishers section..
Call 911 if the fire is out of control.
Report the event to the organization (1480 or 1540, Fire Station, person with radio) specifying:
The nature of the event;
The area, neighborhood and/or building number affected;
If people are in danger;
your name.
Follow the instructions of the 911 emergency center and Duché de Bicolline personnel on duty.
All buildings on the Duché de Bicolline must be equipped with a portable fire extinguisher. Owners of allotments can pick up fire extinguishers supplied by the Duché de Bicolline at the Welcome Desk.
It is also strongly recommended to have a compliant portable fire extinguisher available at all times in or near your tent and trailer.
To use a portable extinguisher :
Remove the pin.
Point the hose at the base of the flames.
Press firmly on the control lever.
Extinguish the fire, starting at a distance (minimum 10′) and moving towards the flames.
Move to safety if the fire gets too big or out of control.