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fir/ V0 FORM N: WORK PLAN Respondents must describe its plan for service delivery to the population in the proposed service area(s) and include timelines for accomplishments. Address the required elements (see Form G: WORK PLAN Guidelines) associated with the serviom proposed in this proposal. A maximum of four 14j additional pages may be attached if needed. Protect the People in our Parks DSHS Agency Requisition Number EMS/LPG-0278.1 May 9, 2008 Expansion of Services by the City of San Marcos, Texas - Park Rangers Program Background Established in 1997 as a pilot program under the City Parks and Recreation Department, the San Marcos Park Ranger Program has grown and become a key factor in improving emergency health care services to the citizens and visitors of San Marcos, Texas. The Park Rangers Team is a TDH First Responder Organization (TDH# 300478). The Rangers cover more ground than ever, as San Marcos has recently acquired an additional 850-acre tract, parkland, which includes 500 acres of rugged untamed hill country to protect. With 31 area parks and the ecologically important aquifer-fed San Marcos and Blanco Rivers, the city is a major tourist attraction in central Texas. These tourists, focal community park patrons, and 28,000 Texas State University students place a great strain on the local EMS units to provide needed emergency services. It is estimated that 900,000 people visit the park system each year. The15 member Park Rangers Team, are all part-time city employees and are comprised of persons who are currently employed with other public safety agencies in and around the community. Will Schrall, currently Deputy Marshall for the City of San Marcos, supervises the Park Rangers Program. He has ten year's experience with the team. All Rangers are currently certified at the EMT-B level or higher firefighters, and ! or police officers. The Rangers are also trained in Swiftwater Tech l! 11. The Rangers work collaboratively with multiple entities including the San Marcos/Hays County EMS, and the San Marcos Fire and Police Departments. The team has mutual aid agreements with other local area first responder organizations. The mission of the Park Rangers Program is to patrol city parks and surrounding areas to ensure the safety and protect park patrons, the environment, and park facilities. Multi- tasked Rangers are available to provide assistance, administer medical aid, enforce public safety rules, and oversee park usage. The Rangers work in close coordination with local law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire department agencies to enforce city ordinances and provide first response medical treatment. The Rangers are capable of providing medical attention to those in remote areas not navigable by traditional ambulance services. The City's park system includes land that has very limited access with no interior roads, uneven terrain, heavily wooded and is extremely rocky. The land is currently open for public use and offers a wide variety of activities that may include rock climbing, hiking, rappelling, and mountain biking. These outdoor activities come with inevitable injuries. The team, with specialized training, vehicles and equipment, can access these areas to assist those in need. The Park Rangers patrol on foot, use bikes, kayaks, ATVs, and conventional vehicles to serve and protect park patrons. r?rrw_ ray ??. n nn .+•++n w