DCR Ranger Services

DCR Rangers are dedicated public servants who provide a variety of services for the protection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources, and for the safety and enjoyment of all.

Mission

To provide, through a variety of means:

· Public Safety, Emergency Response, and Security on DCR-owned and DCR-managed properties, and at the Massachusetts State House.

· Protection of the Commonwealth’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

· Enhancement of the visitor experience at all properties under the care and control of DCR.

Structure

DCR maintains a staff of year-round Park Rangers with responsibilities covering all DCR properties statewide. That year-round staff is supplemented with seasonal positions to provide focused support for seasonal operations. The majority of DCR Park Rangers fall within 1 of 3 divisions:

· Division of State Parks

· State House Security Program

· Division of Water Supply Protection

Division of State Parks (DSP)

The DSP is comprised of 5 geographical regions: West, Central, North, South, and Boston. Each Region has 1 Ranger Captain and 2-5 Ranger Lieutenants. The number of Park Rangers varies by Region and by season. DSP Rangers are equipped and trained to provide a wide array of services, including:

· Natural, cultural, and recreational resource protection

· Rules education and enforcement

· Visitor services and informal interpretation

· Incident/emergency response

· Search and rescue planning, logistics, and operations

· First Aid/CPR/AED

· Collaboration with MA Environmental Police, MA State Police and other partner agencies

· Crowd control

· Security services

· Incident investigation

· Surveillance video review

· Traffic direction

· Parking enforcement

· Observation and professional witness services

· Tactical communication/de-escalation

· Informational, directional, and regulatory signage

· Trail map ground truthing and editing

· Operation of trucks, UTVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, bikes, chainsaws and other equipment

· Training for DCR staff and partner

State House Security Program (SHSP)

SHSP Rangers provide State House security 24/7/365, delivering a wide variety of security services including:

· Security screening at building entrances (Xray and metal detector operations)

· Internal and external security patrols

· Wayfinding and visitor assistance/information

· Collaboration with Bureau of the State House, MA State Police, and other partner agencies

· Security assessment and development of operational plans

· Rally/demonstration monitoring

· Incident/emergency response

· First Aid/CPR/AED

· Crowd control

· Tactical communication/de-escalation

· Incident investigation

· Video surveillance monitoring

· Incident data tracking and analysis

· Observation and professional witness services

· Traffic direction

· Parking enforcement

Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP)

DWSP Rangers are responsible for patrolling and protecting the water and lands within the surrounding watersheds of the Quabbin Reservoir/Ware River and Wachusett/Sudbury Reservoirs. DWSP Rangers provide a variety of services including:

· Water supply protection

· Natural, cultural, and recreational resource protection

· Security assessment

· Incident data tracking and analysis

· Rules education and enforcement

· Collaboration with the MA Water Resources Authority

· Incident/emergency response

· Spill containment/boom deployment

· Incident investigation

· Search and rescue planning, logistics, and operations

· First Aid/CPR/AED

· Observation and professional witness services

· Tactical communication/de-escalation

· Informational and regulatory signage

· Operation of boats, Trucks, UTVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, bikes, chainsaws and other

Bureau of Ranger Services (BRS)

The Bureau of Ranger Services provides programmatic support to the Ranger Divisions. BRS is responsible for DCR Ranger protocols, standards, vehicles, equipment, training, and operational support. The BRS supports the MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) during activations of the State Emergency Operations Center, taking in community requests for public works support, and connecting the communities, as able, with the resources they need. The BRS also administers the following DCR programs:

· Parking Operations Division: Manages all aspects of parking revenue collection, including procurement and management of contracts for parking meters, mobile parking

payment apps, parking websites, fulfillment of Senior Parking Passes, signage and operational support.

· Parking Clerk’s Office: Processes all payments and handles appeals of citations for parking and park rule violations; provides citation books to Rangers, MA State Police, MA Environmental Police and other law enforcement agencies; oversees parking enforcement equipment and contracts; and liaises with MassDOT RMV.

· Communications Section: Oversees procurement, programming, installation, maintenance and accessories for all DCR radio equipment, including high-ground radio equipment, stationary radios, mobile (vehicle) radios and scanners and hand-held radios. Also handles procurement, installation and maintenance of Ranger vehicle emergency lights, public address systems and related equipment.

· Crossing Guard Program: Provides for the hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, equipment, and standards for dozens of Crossing Guards providing safe passage of elementary school children across state-owned roadways in the Greater Boston area.

· Ranger Mounted Unit: Conducts patrols for the provision of safety, education, and enforcement; assists with crowd control at events; provides public programs and tours; conducts training with partner agencies; represents DCR in parades and ceremonies; and with the help of DCR partners and dedicated volunteers oversees the care of DCR’s Ranger horses.

· BRS Park Rangers: Coordinate training, equipment, administrative support, parking operations and enforcement, and focused staffing support for Ranger operations in the DSP, SHSP and DWSP.

Contact Us

Bureau of Ranger Services

General Park Ranger Inquires

Email: [e-mail]

 

State House Security Program

Address:

Massachusetts State House,

24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Phone: [phone]

Helpful Links

Rules and Regulations:

302 CMR 12.00 Parks and Recreation Rules

313 CMR 11.00 Watershed Protection [AMEND]

Parkways, Traffic and Pedestrian Rules

 

Parking Information:

Parking Information for MA State Parks

Pay a DCR Parking Ticket

Appeal a DCR Parking Ticket

 

DCR Programs and Events:

DCR Programs and Events

DCR Permits

 

Recreational Activities:

Hiking in DCR Parks

Mountain Biking Trails in MA

 

MA State House:

Bureau of the State House Website

State House Events