The Bureau of Ranger Services is responsible for managing lost person incidents, searching for lost, missing, or overdue persons on DEM lands, and can be called to assist in searches on other lands. Several rangers are certified Search Managers through NASAR. Regional search teams exist in Region 5, Berkshire County, and are in the planning stages in other regions.

The BRS SAR resources include:

• Search Management Teams
• Airscent K-9’s
• Regional Search Teams
• Mounted Search Team
• ATV’s
• Watercraft
• 4X4 Motor Vehicles
• Statewide Radio Communications

The Bureau of Ranger Services is initiating the Lost Child Program, an effort to help keep children from getting lost and, if lost, getting found as soon as possible. Rangers will visit families in the campgrounds, youth groups, parent groups and others to train children safe ways to enjoy the parks. They will learn how to prepare for being in the woods and what to do if they get lost. A full color child-friendly brochure will be available.

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Park Watch is a statewide program offered by the Bureau of Ranger Services. To better protect the park and its users, it is designed to educate and encourage park users to recognize and report suspicious and criminal activity in and around park areas. The program is set up to provide educational materials and training to park rangers , local, state, and environmental police, and park staff. The aim of Park Watch is to promote the practice of crime prevention and safety strategies in partnership with residents and visitors across the Commonwealth. The program is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Forests & Parks and the Massachusetts Neighborhood Crime Watch Commission.

The program, at the park level, has several components:

• Each park is provided with signs to post, similar to the Neighborhood Crime Watch signs. The sign asks park users to report suspicious or criminal activity and states the phone numbers for emergencies, park management, and police assistance.
• Park staff is trained with program information, including how to process information received from callers.
• Rangers and other staff provide Park Watch handouts at the park contact station and on patrol.
• Contact is made with the local or state police to make them aware of the program and to ensure the best means for passing information between the park and the police department.
• Local user groups such as friends groups, trail associations, neighborhoods, scouts, sportsmen, campers, and other citizens are informed of the program and encourages to ‘sign on’.

For more information or to sign up your organization please contact the DEM regional ranger in your area or call 1-888-80-WATCH.

The Bureau of Ranger Services utilizes its mounted unit in several park areas in the central part of the state on a rotating basis as well as for special details and events.

A ranger patrolling on horseback provides an extra level of service and protection to a park. The presence and visibility of the ranger is greatly appreciated by the visitors. The attraction of the horse lends a great degree of approachability to the ranger, opening avenues to not only answer questions but also to deliver enforcement messages. While up on the horse, the ranger has an improved field of vision and the ability to travel in less accessible areas. This ability alone makes the horse a resource in lost person incidents.

While the horse patrol certainly dresses up an event, it is most valuable with its ability in crowd control as well as just patrolling in an area with large groups of people. The BRS mounted unit has assisted with major bike-a-thons and marathons, park festivals, parades, and DEM’s exhibit at the Eastern States Exposition.

The mounted unit headquarters is at Douglas State Forest, Douglas, MA. It is currently comprised of 2 horses and 2 staff who are assigned to train and care for the horses and do the majority of the patrols during the season. Some rangers and other DEM staff are also trained for mounted patrol activities.

For more information the stable can be reached at 1-508-476-7872.

The Bureau of Ranger Services utilizes the bike patrol at several areas, including, Myles Standish State Forest, Nickerson State Park, the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and the Norwatick Rail Trail.

The bike patrol provides a highly effective means of patrol while at the same time promotes a high degree of Ranger-visitor interaction.

The bike is extremely versatile, allowing ranger presence within the campgrounds, on the bike paths, and into a wide variety of places that would normally not be covered by vehicular patrols. Our rangers on bike patrol are less intimidating and less intrusive in highly congested areas, compared to being in a vehicle. The bike patrol is quick, quiet, and allows for rapid response in often inaccessible areas.

Bike patrols allow a user friendly approach when interacting with guests, giving the rangers opportunity to stop and converse, answering questions and gain compliance with regulations through verbal persuasion. The bike rangers also pass on safe riding tips, encourage helmet use, and discuss other safety issues.

In addition to regulations enforcement, bike rangers also participate in searches, assist users with first aid, and provide educational programs.

Park users appreciate the approachability of the bike rangers as the rangers carry out their duties protecting our resources and ensuring the safe enjoyment of the parks and trails, all from the seat of a bike!