Hey Bill, I work with California State Park Rangers all the time, in fact my wife used to be a state park rangers and lifeguard dispatcher. Your world has gone from protecting picnic baskets from Yogi to dealing with gang warfare now, at least in California. What a tragedy that you and other rangers across the country now have to focus so much on the law enforcement side of things. Where I work is remote compared to other stations. We rely on the rangers & lifeguards to respond to our incidents, usually because they are closer, have EMT capabilities or when we need have the fire power to keep us safe. I've been adding tons of photos lately and if you look at them you will see many of the pix with the rangers and lifeguards. Looking forward to getting to know you and sharing stuff. Take care Mr. Ranger! Mike from Santa Barbara


Gaviota State Park at Sunset

Thanks Mike for checking in. You seem to understand my world pretty good! It use to be kids would spray paint the picnic shelters…..now they blow them up with pipe bombs.

-Bill

Where I work, I have purposely fostered close relationships with all the agencies that are in my first in district. We serve an area that runs along the coast of Santa Barbara that includes three state parks, El Capitan State Beach, Refugio and Gaviota State Parks. It's a common occurrence to work with everyone in the parks, from camp hosts, maintenance staff, park aids, docents, rangers and lifeguards. Yes, I understand your world and yes, I personally know from experience that rangers carry guns, to protect me!