COSA Ranger Training Program
The COSA Ranger Training Program was established in 2004 when the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas rangers teamed with the Larimer County Department of Natural Resource rangers to implement a routine refresher training protocol for open space rangers. In March 2005, both agencies conducted a joint training in an effort to build a working partnership, lower training costs, and complete required annual training.
The training program:
- provides rangers with refresher training in wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, self-defense, law enforcement, visitor contacts, and education pertaining to the role of a ranger in today's society.
- believes in the importance of human services and protection of natural and cultural resources that open spaces, natural areas, parks and recreation areas provide.
- provides a network to facilitate the exchange of information between park law enforcement personnel and other park and recreation professionals.
- minimizes the burden of "the last minute scramble" to find and provide the necessary training required anually for today's ranger.
Examples of past training:
In 2006 these additional agencies participated in the training program. Rangers from the City of Aspen, Pitkin County, the City of Longmont joined the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Department of Natural Resouces' rangers for the week long training program.Training included refresher courses in Wildland Fire, Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, and a law enforcement course covering crime scene protection, legal justification for initiating a contact, and alcohol and drug related contacts. Additionally, there was a section covering wildlife laws and working with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Topics included license checks, search and seizure, and poaching. At the end of the week rangers were able to apply the skills they learned through out the week during a pre-planned scenario. The scenario consisted of a light aircraft crash with three patients. There were several goals set for the scenario. Some of which are listed below:
- Set up of an initial Incident Command structure
- Set up of a command post and IC commander and safety officer
- Establish communications
- Execute initial search
- Manage an accident site
- Treat victims including carry out, litter packaging and dispatch of Flight for Life or local ambulance service
- Find a moving individual
- Secure logistics (food, radios, litter)
To complete the scenario rangers were to mobilize all three survivors to McKee medical center in Loveland, and preserve the crash site for an NTSB investigation. They were to do all of this prior a late afternoon/early evening of enjoying tasty Mexican food. If the rangers were successful, the instructors would buy the meals. If not, they would buy for the instructors.
All in all, it was a fun filled week of learning.
2008's COSA Ranger Training Program
The Fouth Annual COSA Ranger Training Program will be held March 24th through 28th.
Training will include refresher courses in Wildland Fire, Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, and other courses covering law enforcement and resource protection issues faced by todays' rangers. Closing out the training will be a lunch social.
Training Program Agenda [pdf]
Contact Us:
Have any questions or need more information regarding The COSA Ranger Taining Program? You may feel free to contact us.
Ranger Supervisor Rick Bachand - (970) 416-2183 City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program
Park Manager Travis Rollins - (970) 498-5622 Larimer County Department of Natural Resources