Spring 2022 Training Update
As February inches along it is time to start making our preparations for another busy summer season. Here are several updates for all MPS staff about our Spring offerings. Please take the time to read and send along to those you may supervise. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Superintendent's Regional Listening Session
Once again these will be offered as a virtual, half-day session and will include the "State of the State Parks" presentation as well as an opportunity for employees to share their thoughts and ideas with MPS Senior Staff. Participation in ONE session fulfills the annual MPS in-service training requirement for classified and long-term contractual staff. There are three dates to choose from: March 7th, March 21st, and April 4th. Contact Cineva Smith at cineva.smith@maryland.gov with any questions. *Please note this is not the same as the regularly scheduled Superintendent Town Halls.*
Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Workplace (Classified/Long-Term Contractual Staff)
Effective 10/20/21, all classified and long term contractual employees are now required to take Sexual Harassment Prevention through Human Resources Services (HRS). You can sign-up for those instructor-led, virtual or in-person sessions on the HUB. If you need any assistance registering via the HUB please visit https://dbm.maryland.gov/sps/Pages/The-Hub.aspx and click on the 2nd "Getting Started" icon found at the bottom of the page. This mandatory training must be completed every 2 years and most MPS employees are due to attend in 2022. If you have any questions about when you, or your staff, last completed MPS-led SHP training, please contact Cineva Smith at cineva.smith@maryland.gov.
EMR Refreshers
All currently certified Emergency Medical Responders (or those still wishing to complete the Challenge) must come to an Annual EMR Refresher which are scheduled between March 1st - April 1st. I will repeat this again for those in the back... Everyone MUST attend a refresher in March/April 2022. We will no longer be offering in-person EMR Refreshers in the fall. There will, however, be an online requirement EMRs must complete in the fall.
In March/April, we will essentially be completing half of the Challenge Course that you completed in 2021. You will do the trauma related skills on the skills check-off sheets. As far as testing, you will need to pass the 75 question written exam with an 80% and complete three final skills scenarios with a partner. Although we will not be practicing all the patient assessment skills this year, you must still know these skills in order to pass the final skills scenarios. Please come prepared to class by spending a little time in the Google Challenge Course Classroom. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Reusing at maria.reusing@maryland.gov.
Basic First Aid and CPR
First Aid and CPR classes are the minimum requirement for all chainsaw operators. If you are expiring soon or you have dropped your EMR or EMT certification make sure you sign up for a class. These will be scheduled upon request in late spring. If you would like a class for your seasonal or classified employees please contact John Ohler at john.ohler@maryland.gov to schedule. We will have the best luck accommodating your request if you give 6 weeks notice.
Basic Chainsaw Class & Chainsaw Recertification
As it has been common practice throughout the pandemic, these classes are still being arranged upon request. Please contact John Ohler at john.ohler@maryland.gov to schedule and provide as much advance notice as possible since we will need to coordinate availability among regional instructors.
As a side note, the S212 class on the calendar for March 7th-10th is currently full. Interested employees can be added to the waitlist. We anticipate the next S212 course offering will be in the fall of 2022.
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If your park has any larger maintenance projects that would be a good learning experience for others please reach out to John Ohler at john.ohler@maryland.gov to coordinate a training. This allows people from other places the opportunity to learn and affords the host park enough man-power to get the project finished quickly and efficiently.
So far this spring you can look forward to an Electrical Box Replacement Class at Elk Neck!
Search and Rescue
A Mock Search exercise is scheduled for late April at Patapsco Valley State Park. This event will provide participants an opportunity to work with outside agencies to simulate a missing person in a situation that has been elevated to involve law enforcement personnel. When details have been finalized, the event will be posted to the training division calendar with a registration link. Contact Bethany Watts at bethany.watts@maryland.gov with questions.
Historic Weapons Safety Officer Training
Historic Weapons Safety Officer training is being offered in a new way! A virtual training for all Safety Officers will be held on April 29th. Then in-person Historic Weapons training will be divided into two time periods: Civil War (May 2nd - 5th) and Colonial Period, French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 (May 10th - 13th). Participants will be given the choice of attending a two-day small arms training and, if needed, an additional two day artillery training for their specific time period. Contact Bob Study at bob.study@maryland.gov with questions.
Volunteer Training
This annual refresher is intended for Volunteer Rangers, Volunteer Mounted Patrol, Volunteer Bike Patrol, and Camp Hosts. The Spring session will be held in person at Seneca Creek State Park on Saturday, April 30th. Contact Bethany Watts at bethany.watts@maryland.gov with questions.
Seasonal Staff Training
Moodle - Onboard training for seasonal employees can be requested by completing the 2022 Seasonal Employee Onboard Training Registration Form. Required classes include: Bloodborne Pathogens, Global Harmonization Systems (GHS), Maryland Driver, and Portable Fire Extinguisher. Please contact Sarah Gray at sarahm.gray@maryland.gov with any questions.
onal employees and volunteers. The format will remain the same as an interactive, instructor-led online course and will require each participant to use a computer with speakers or headphones, microphone (preferred), and video camera (optional). Attendance and participation will satisfy the new law requirement for two years. If you have questions about when seasonal employees or volunteers last completed SHP training, please contact Cineva Smith at cineva.smith@maryland.gov.
Online Meet Ups
Admin Chats are monthly opportunities for Administrative Support Staff across the state to get together virtually, share ideas, and hear presenters on various topics including WebFocus, seasonal contracts, and others. This year, there will be quarterly Department-wide chats and monthly MPS-specific chats. To share ideas for topics or guest speakers, please contact Sarah Gray at sarahm.gray@maryland.gov.
Yoga Google Meets and Coffee Connections will be scheduled monthly as informal ways to connect with your colleagues. These will be sent out with about a week's notice. Contact Maria Reusing with questions at maria.reusing@maryland.gov.
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