PKMT 105 - Park Safety and Visitor Services

4 Credits: (3 lecture, 2 lab)

Course Description
This course introduces students to visitor services, park safety, and rescue techniques in recreation and natural resource settings. Emphasis is placed on park ranger roles, visitor contact, situational awareness, emergency response coordination, and foundational water, ice, and technical rescue skills. Students are required to complete FEMA ICS-100 and ICS-700 online training to support incident management awareness and interagency coordination. Water and ice rescue certifications may be earned upon successful completion of required standards.

Note Field trips and additional class time are required. Students must be competent swimmers, and complete all required risk management forms.Students must meet the physical demands of the trainings. The course aligns with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2500 standards for technical water and ice rescue operations and training.

Other

A. Students must be competent swimmers and capable of meeting the physical demands of field-based training.

B. Students must complete and submit all required risk management forms, including Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Emergency Contact/Consent.

C. Students are responsible for completing FEMA ICS-100 and ICS-700 online training as assigned coursework.

D. Students are responsible for completing all required certifications and any associated fees.

E. Participation may be restricted for students unable to safely meet physical, medical, environmental, water, or weather-related training requirements.

Text

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. (2020). Water rescue for the first responder. Author.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. (2025). Water rescue and emergency response. Author.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. (2024). Ice rescue and emergency response. Author.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. (2023). Advanced line systems rescue. Author.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Examine the traits, duties, and responsibilities of park rangers and visitor service personnel.

B. Demonstrate safe and professional visitor contact and situational awareness practices.

C. Analyze emergency management systems and interagency coordination using National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles.

D. Assess an incident or accident scene and determine safe access and appropriate response actions.

E. Package injured individuals using approved techniques and team-based methods.

F. Meet minimum certification specific standards for:

• Water Rescue for the First Responder

• Water Rescue and Emergency Response

• Ice Rescue and Emergency Response

• Advanced Line Systems Rescue

Content
A. Visitor Services and Public Interaction
B. Park Ranger Roles, Duties, and Situational Awareness
C. Visitor Contact Safety and Professional Communications
D. Emergency Management Systems and NIMS Overview (ICS-100 / ICS-700)
E. Search and Rescue Equipment and Techniques
F. Water Rescue for the First Responder - NFPA 2500 Awareness Level
G. Water Rescue and Emergency Response - NFPA 2500 Operations Level
H. Ice Rescue and Emergency Response - NFPA 2500 Technician Level
I. Advanced Line Systems Rescue - NFPA 2500 Technician Level
J. Patient Packaging and Transport

Student Evaluation
Course objectives A-F will be evaluated through written examinations, skills assessments, assignments, certification performance, and class participation. Proof of completion of the required online training and certifications must be submitted. Specific grading criteria will be provided at the beginning of the semester.