Fundamentals of Park Safety Certificate

About the Course

Especially for front line park staff and supervisors, this certificate program will give staff the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to potentially dangerous situations. Focusing on the human elements of safety, the program covers foundational safety concepts, communications skills relating to safety, recognition of potentially unsafe and conflict situations, and proper response and de-escalation of hostile situations.

About the Author

Hugo McPhee has almost 30 years of law enforcement experience and is currently the Director of Public Safety for the Three Rivers Park District in Minnesota. Hugo has a diverse leadership background and has presented nationally on a variety of topics, most recently presenting at a mini-conference in Washington D.C. for the US State Department on anti-terrorism and on park leadership in San Marcos, Texas. Hugo has created and presented curriculum for the Miami-Dade County Parks Enforcement Division, the Somali National Police, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Metropolitan State University, where he also serves as Community Faculty in the Criminal Justice Department. Hugo is a past president for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and National Park Law Enforcement Association, where he also serves as conference planner.

Course Schedule

This certificate program is self-paced allowing you flexibility in the time needed to complete the courses. After completing the first course, Introduction to Green Park Operations, you decide the order and progression you’d like to take, allowing you to revisit and review sections in greater depth as needed.

Elements of the course:

• Informational text
• "Learn More" opportunities
• Real world examples
• Interactive case studies
• Informal knowledge checks
• Formal assignments

Following the course, you will complete an assessment which requires you to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of the assessment you will be awarded an electronic certificate of completion.

Courses

• Foundations of Park Safety
• Park Safety Communication Skills
• Park Safety Recognition
• Park Safety Response

Course Objectives

After completing this course, learners should be able to:

• Improve the ability of park employees to de-escalate hostile situations
• Enable park staff members to recognize persons in crisis and respond appropriately
• Enable park staff members to recognize and react to potentially dangerous weather and other situations to ensure park patron safety

Recommended Background

This course of study is intended for front line park and recreation agency employees, but may be applicable to those in similar fields. There are no required prerequisites to take this course.

FAQ

Aside from an internet connection, what resources will I need for the course?

No additional resources are required for this course.

Will I get a certificate after completing the course?

Yes! All courses include a final assessment to evaluate your understanding of key course concepts. A certificate of completion will be offered to you if you complete the assessment with a score of 80% or higher.

Why should I take this course?

Each Eppley e-course is designed collaboratively among experienced instructional designers, subject matter experts, and our partner organizations and institutions. The course curriculum includes current information and best practices in the field, and it is recognized by national leaders in parks, recreation, and land management. Not only will this course benefit your career by expanding your knowledge base, but it will also enhance your application and problem-solving skills.

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