Q&A
Discussion on frequency and content of Parks Department staff training for emergencies
0:32:19
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Council Member Krishnan asks for specific details about the frequency and content of Parks Department staff training for emergency situations, particularly brush fires. Parks Department representatives Marit Larsen and Norman Chan provide information on their training practices.
- Training on general protocol and communication occurs for all new and seasonal staff
- Staff are briefed on how to respond to various emergency situations, including fires
- The primary focus is on communication and contacting appropriate emergency responders
- Training frequency varies based on staff onboarding and seasonal needs
- Staff are instructed to call 911 and contact the department's central communications division in emergencies
Shekar Krishnan
0:32:19
And just to my prior question, so how often are the trainings happening with Parks Department staff and and what are they covering rapid response type situations when the fires, you know, happen unexpectedly but spread quickly?
0:32:29
How are the trainings being structured, and how often are they happening?
Marit Larsen
0:32:33
Training around general, protocol and communication happens with all new staff and happens, with all seasonal staff.
0:32:42
So we we have that happens relatively frequently for, workers that are in the field.
0:32:48
With respect to any particular emergency response, I'll defer to my colleague, Norman Chan on that, if he'd like to, you know, add any anything with respect
Norman Chan
0:33:04
to trainings.
0:33:06
Good afternoon, everyone.
0:33:08
Council chairs, thank you for giving us the opportunity to testify here today to answer your questions.
0:33:14
Regarding the question, about training for, staff, in general, when staff are onboarded and when staff are working in the district, both full time staff and seasonal staff, they are giving briefings in terms of how to respond to certain acute type situations, a medical emergency medical emergency in the park, a crime happening within the park, a fire within the park.
0:33:35
And in many of these cases, the staff are, directed to call 911 to reach out to our emergency responders at our partner agencies to handle these type of situations.
0:33:45
Like we are definitely not subject matter experts on fighting fires or responding to medical emergencies.
0:33:51
So, in many cases it's just really the communication and getting the word out there that something's taking place within our parks to get the proper help and resource there as quickly as possible.
0:34:02
That is what we stress when we train our staff and bring them out into the field.
0:34:08
In terms of the frequency of trainings, it depends on, how recently the staff onboard and so on.
0:34:15
There's no specific timetable as how often it stresses but seasonally we deal with many different things, emergencies within parks.
0:34:23
Like right now during the winter season, we're currently facing issues regarding ice safety.
0:34:28
So we currently reiterate to staff during cold temperatures, people may be apt to wander onto ice.
0:34:35
So right now the current reminder to all staff out in the field is to survey our lakes and ponds, ensure that the public stays off of it, and so on.
0:34:43
So it's all very seasonally based as well.
0:34:47
Once again, stressing that communication is key and that we need to reach out to party agencies as soon as possible if you discover something out there.
0:34:54
So number 1, call 911.
0:34:55
And number 2, reach out to our central communications division to ensure that everyone else knows what's going on out there so that we can respond accordingly.