EMS Funding for Park Rangers

Supporting The Park

Essential EMS training helps Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Rangers stay certified and ready to respond to emergencies across the park.

By: Kaitlyn Kausler

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes are proud to support the health and safety of both park visitors and staff by funding critical Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training for our National Park Rangers.

Through a donation to the Glen Lake Fire Department, the Friends are able to offer rangers an important opportunity to complete continuing education required to maintain their EMS certifications. While the Lakeshore is unable to directly fund this type of training, the Friends stepped in to make sure the park rangers have access to the best instruction available to provide others with the care in which they may need.

Thanks to this generous support, Glen Lake Fire Department’s experienced Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics provided detailed, hands-on training covering a wide range of lifesaving skills, including:

• Splinting broken limbs

• Managing pain appropriately

• Controlling bleeding

• Performing CPR

• Administering epinephrine

• Safely transporting pediatric patients

• Triage procedures

• Oxygen delivery and patient ventilation

• Tourniquet application and practice

• And many more advanced EMS techniques

National Park Rangers are required to complete over 40 hours of EMS continuing education every two years to maintain their certifications. This training helps ensure they are ready to respond to emergencies anywhere from busy beaches to hidden trails within the park.

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes are honored to play a role in helping the rangers stay fully prepared to serve and protect. By partnering with Glen Lake Fire Department, we’re investing in both ranger safety and the safety of every visitor who comes to experience the beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Thank you to our members, donors, and volunteers for making opportunities like this possible!