Embedded Files
Reporting an Emergency
Reporting an Emergency
**call 911**
When receiving a report of an emergency, always ask if the victim is conscious and breathing and if emergency services are needed. Then begin getting the following information from top to bottom.
Remember the 6 W’s
WHO - Who is the Reporting Party (RP)? Always get a name and phone number. Try to keep them there.
When getting victim/offender descriptions, try to collect as many details as possible including height, weight, age, sex, race, hair color, eye color, facial hair, clothing, tattoos, scars, etc.
WHAT - What is the situation/emergency?
WHEN - When did it happen? Is it happening right now?
WHERE - Where did it occur? Get as exact of a location as you can.
WAY OF TRAVEL - Which way did the suspect go? Did they drive, walk, skate, etc? A description of vehicle/bicycle/etc—color, type, license plate, etc is helpful.
WEAPONS - Were there any weapons seen? Remember to ask as many questions or make as many observances as you can, such as:
Reporting a Non-Emergency:
Call State Parks Dispatch (If you do not have this phone number, please ask the Interpreters for it)
Say, “I’m a Natural Bridges Docent and I just witnessed.”
or call the Visitor's Center: (831) 423 - 0871 and the Interpreters will help you solve the problem!
When Things Go Wrong (but not TOO wrong)
When Things Go Wrong (but not TOO wrong)
Here is the order in which rule violations should be handled, whether it's a dog on the beach, collecting in the tidepools, or catching monarchs.
- Are You Safe?
When dealing with any problems of the park, the number one priority is making sure you are safe. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation
2. Talk to the Person Violating the Rule
2. Talk to the Person Violating the Rule
Most times, people don't even know they are violating a rule. Even if they clearly know they should not be doing what they are doing, if you approach them in a friendly manner and assume they don't know the rule, you're more likely to get a positive response.
It's also important to tell people why the rule exists. Telling someone their dog isn't allowed is not as affective as telling them their dog smells like a predator and scares away wildlife. Telling people they cannot collect in the tidepools is not as affective as telling them that the tidepools are a Marine Protected Area which prohibits collecting to protect the incredible animals that live there. If you want more reasoning behind the rules, talk to your interpretive team!
Start with a greeting such as "Hello! I'm a Volunteer here at Natural Bridges State Beach and you probably didn't know, but (state the rule they are violating and why this rule exists)"
Most interactions will end at this. The person will leave or stop the activity, an you'll both be able to go about your day. But what if it doesn't end here?
Remember: you are informers not enforcers
Remember: you are informers not enforcers
If the person ignores you, pushes back or becomes rude or aggressive, DO NOT ENGAGE with them any further! Proceed to step 3
3. Call the Visitor's Center
3. Call the Visitor's Center
Remember: you are informers not enforcers
Remember: you are informers not enforcers
If the person ignores you, pushes back or becomes rude or aggressive, DO NOT ENGAGE with them any further!
Call the Visitor's Center: (831) 423 - 0871 and inform us of everything that has happened
An interpreter may be able to come handle the situation
4. Call Dispatch
4. Call Dispatch
If the situation is time-sensitive, like the person has become aggressive or they are committing an egregious rule violation (collecting large amounts of tidepool animals, an off-leash dog is being aggressive, someone is killing birds, or any other egregious violation that a person would be fined for) call a ranger.
To call a ranger, use the State Parks Dispatch phone number. If you do not have this phone number already saved, please ask an interpreter
Remember: the dispatch phone number is NOT a public phone number and is for internal use only. You, as a docent, have the privilege to use this number but do not give this number to a member of the general public.
5. Let it Go
5. Let it Go
Not every problem will be able to be dealt with. If there are too many violations to handle, or if you've passed the situation on to someone who wasn't able to handle it, that's okay! You, as a docent, do not have to hold the line between people following the rules and breaking them.
Do not let the rule violations get to you, and let it go.
6. The Antidote to a Bad Interaction
6. The Antidote to a Bad Interaction
Natural Bridges is a special place, and we want you focusing on the good parts of the park, not the bad.
If you have a bad interaction with a person who violated a rule, you may be feeling down and finding it difficult to let go. The solution: have a good interaction about the park.
Find a park-goer and tell them some information about the park. Spark up a conversation about butterflies, tidepools, birds or whatever they are interested in. You'll feel much better after having a good interaction with someone, and may find it easier to let go.
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