More Than a Place To Get a New Sticker

“More Than a Place To Get a New Sticker”

Hello ProRangers and Park People!

  

            This week started out with an early morning drive into Marquette for a continuing education conference about pediatrics in emergency medicine. As an emergency medical technician, I am required to complete a certain number of classes, trainings, and education to renew my license. The purpose of attending conferences like these is to ensure that first responders are well rounded and up-to-date on new medical practices. 

Law enforcement are often first on scene to accidents, making it important to be trained in emergency medicine

            Pediatric care in emergency medicine can be especially difficult both emotionally and medically. The goal of the conference was to bridge some of the common gaps experienced by first responders and doctors. One issue that was addressed was the process of family reunification after a mass causality incident or disaster. A critical piece in this process is to rapidly identify and protect displaced children and to appropriately identify family members. Unfortunately, the process of retrieving your child can be met with challenges, because the hospital can’t release children without the child’s birth certificate or social security card. Especially after a traumatic event, family members won’t be thinking about getting ID – they’ll be rushing to care for their children. Hospitals are working on developing plans to address this issue and minimize stress in tough situations such as this.

"Pediatric Patients - Bridging the Readiness Gaps" Conference
It's never a bad time to take a picture for the blog!

            The following days, I spent with the division of interpretation at both of the visitor’s centers and at Au Sable Light Station (one of my favorite places in the park)! National park visitor centers are much more than a place to get a new sticker for your water bottle. They are operated by some of the most informed park employees and the staff at PIRO are nothing short of exemplary. 

When weather permits, the rangers make the 1.5 mile commute to Au Sable Light Station.

            Any questions you might have about the park, recreation, natural resources, wildlife, history, the town, you name it – the staff will go out of their way to answer your question to the absolute best of their ability. The time I spent with the division of interpretation will help me throughout the summer during law enforcement contacts as well. For example, when making a contact with a park visitor backcountry camping without a permit, it is important to explain the appropriate process to obtain a permit. After spending time in the visitor center, I can confidently explain the process and hopefully prevent a violation in the future.

A small group getting ready to tour Au Sable

            In addition to the visitor centers, I was able to spend a day at Au Sable Light Station! The tours of the lighthouse keepers home and the tower are given six times a day, which means these park rangers can climb up to 24 flights of stairs in one day. I loved spending time learning about what it took to keep the flame lit in the lighthouse and the mysteries of the Lake Superior shipwrecks.

Au Sable Light Station - keeping Lake Superior lit since 1873 

            To end my week, I helped law enforcement with their first nighttime boat operation of the summer season! Last week, Ranger Tuuri and I noticed that many of our backcountry camp sites had illegal fire pits. To prevent further damage to the resources, the LE team set out on the Arrowhead around dusk to monitor some of the backcountry campsites.

Ranger Davis, Ranger Tuuri, and Chief Hughes discussing the nights boat operations and goals

We cleaned up multiple illegal fire pits and were able to contact a group with an active fire. Their group had multiple violation including the illegal fire, out of bounds camping, camping without a permit, and damaging natural resources. 

Chief Hughes working hard to keep the backcountry campsites clear of illegal fire pits

NPS Arrowhead feat. Ranger Tuuri

Ranger Tuuri and I completing a ticket

After a fun and productive day, we started our journey back to the marina. On the way back, Chief Hughes and Ranger Tuuri explained different techniques utilized when boating at night or in low visibility conditions. Looking back to my first day on the Arrowhead, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about working on a boat, but now I look forward to being on the water! It’s one of my favorite things about interning at PIRO!

Some serious high fives! Get pumped for next weeks activities!

            I’m super excited for next week’s agenda and the guests we are hosting at the park. Be sure to check in next week to find out!

Until next time,

ProRanger Dover