Hello ProRangers and Park People!

Hello ProRangers and Park People!

            As the season picks up and more visitors come to the park it is important for law enforcement to stay on top of their skills. This week, Ranger Temberull arranged a use of force scenario based training based on supreme court cases. Each court case was reimagined to fit a type of situation a LE park ranger may encounter. For example, a campground scenario based on the Tennessee V Garner was reenacted where I role played an individual fleeing after stealing items from a tent. These refreshers are used to simulate contacts where use of force decisions are used and evaluated. Law enforcement are able to practice quick and decisive decision making in a controlled, low risk situation. At the end of the training, I was able to do a scenario with Ranger Tuuri as a second officer. In our scenario, we were dispatched to a noise complaint that quickly escalated when the role player “OC sprayed” me. I was able to tackle her to the ground and place handcuffs on her to control the situation. After the scenario ended, I articulated the reasons behind why I used force, why I chose that kind of force, and asked questions on how to improve. A huge thank you should be given to Ranger Tembreull for taking the time to set up this realistic scenario-based training to refresh skills and to ensure each ranger makes informed decisions that will allow them to go home to their families at the end of their shift.

For safety during training scenarios, no weapons are allowed and everyone must be searched upon entry

            The following day, Ranger Paupore and I worked on gathering information and contacting individuals that were involved with a rescue that occurred Tuesday night. A family of four was canoeing on the lake during a small craft advisory that resulted in their canoe filling with water. The victims were forced to swim towards the cliffs where the last tour boat of the night noticed them stranded on the rocks. The information we gathered was used to complete a search and rescue (SAR) and incident management (IMARS) report. Granted, paperwork may be one of the least thrilling tasks law enforcement officers do, but I enjoyed talking to the parties involved to fill the gaps in the timeline of events - like putting the pieces of a puzzle together! We finished our day by patrolling the park. We were able to make a traffic stop that required a field sobriety test. This was the first traffic stop that I’ve seen conducted at PIRO. Ranger Paupore set high standards by establishing a strong officer presence and being professional, attentive to detail, and ensuring the safety of himself, myself, and the driver.

The cliffs where the rescue occured

Sea kayaks are the only kind of kayaks that should be on Lake Superior.
PFDs/lifejackets are required by law!

            To show our appreciation and support for the US Coast Guard Station Marquette, Chief Hughes, Ranger Tuuri and I attended their change of command ceremony. After the ceremony, we spent some time getting to know the crewman. Celebrating the accomplishments of other agencies is just one way to build a strong community and make new friendships! When we got back to the park, I met with a technician that came to fix the EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard) - an unmanned robotic rescue boat. The purpose of the EMILY is to deliver life jackets, or drag a rescue line up to 800 feet to an individual in trouble. The EMILY is still nonoperational, but with the Arrowhead’s skilled captains and crew members successful rescues will continue to occur.

Ranger Gracia on duty at the visitor center

How many kinds of park rangers are there?
 The education division encourages kids to dress-up as some of the different types of rangers.

Over the weekend, I spent a portion of my time in the Munising Visitor Center with Chief Hughes! We had a blast helping visitors, answering questions, and keeping up with the vast knowledge the interpretive rangers have about the park. I was also able to do some backcountry permit checks with Ranger Tuuri. While we were making a contact, the visitors told us about a canoe that had washed up on the shore with several personal belongings scattered along the shoreline. We had been on the lookout for an abandoned canoe in hopes to remove the hazard from the lake. Their information was very helpful and a benefit of getting out and contacting visitors!

Until next time,

ProRanger Dover