FLARE

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Name:	F.L.A.R.E.
Date(s):	1989 (?) - present
Profit/Nonprofit:	nonprofit, unofficial organization
Country based in:	USA, SF Bay Area
Focus:	Convention security & logistics
External Links:	FLARE website, Archived version FLARE at archive.today
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FLARE is one of the SF Bay Area's convention security teams. It evolved out of the core group of Security/Conops staff who worked several conventions; they gradually developed protocols that allowed them to deal with problems, train new staff, and prevent repeat fiascos. They developed a distinctive con badge with red lettering on a black background, and on-duty members wear radios/walkee-talkees that connect to a central hub, generally at or near Conops. FLARE is an all-volunteer, unpaid organization, although they have been known to accept bribes of chocolate for small favors.

Members of FLARE are assigned a radio number that stays consistent as long as they're members. These numbers aren't assigned in order; people often take favorite or personally meaningful numbers out of what's available. The master list is maintained by (someone).

FLARE used to promote the weapon-use policy of "You kill it, you eat it." This was eventually switched to "your weapon kills it, you eat it" (encouraging people to peace-bond their weapons) and gradually dropped from official convention policies, as it made the legal staff twitchy. The current weapon policies forbid anything that looks like a real firearm because such things make hotel staff and visiting police officers very very nervous.

FLARE sometimes issue statements in the convention newsletters. These can be serious warnings about costume or weapons rules or part of the convention fun.

There's some crossover membership between FLARE and C.A.T., another SF Bay Area security/logistics team.

The meaning of the initials "F.L.A.R.E." is generally kept secret from non-members. Several variations and explanations have been offered.