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Subject: NPS Operations Report - Third Quarter, FY00
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Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 11:30:47 -0400
Attached is the quarterly operations report for the third quarter
of FY00 for those offices reporting to the NPS Associate
Director, Park Operations and Education.
Editor
Morning Report
QUARTERLY PARK OPERATIONS UPDATE
THIRD QUARTER, FY00 - APRIL - JUNE, 2000
August 22, 2000 00-03
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Associate Director, Park Operations and Education
2.0 Concessions
3.0 Interpretation and Education
4.0 Facilities Management
5.0 Harpers Ferry Center
6.0 Youth Programs
7.0 Risk Management
8.0 Public Health Services
9.0 Ranger Activities
1.0 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PARK OPERATIONS AND EDUCATION - Maureen Finnerty
Effective August 27th, I will be exchanging jobs with Dick Ring, currently the
superintendent of Everglades NP. Although the action officially occurs next
week, there will be a transition period that will last until early October. During
that time, we'll be getting acquainted with each others' operations. Dick will
begin working out of this office after Labor Day.
I've enjoyed my six years in this position. I hope that - through the efforts of all
of us in Operations - we've been able to help you with new resources and
authorities.
Dick is inheriting a good, solid team here in Operations and will be continuing
efforts to advance and support the parks and the National Park Service and its
mission.
I'm looking forward to returning to the field and hope that this job has prepared
me for the challenges of South Florida. I look forward to building on Dick Ring's
efforts over the last eight years.
Everglades has prepared Dick well for taking on the responsibilities of the
AD/Operations and Education. He's got a strong base in park operations,
including several superintendencies. This will give him a good chance to work on
national issues, and to help the NPS adjust to the changes that will be coming
with a new administration.
Thanks to all of you for your support and assistance over the years.
2.0 CONCESSIONS - Cindy Orlando
2.1 Concessions Regulations
Final revisions to the simplified contract language were published in the Federal
Register on July 19th. Divisional staff are currently in the process of finishing the
prospectuses for major new contracts at Yellowstone (Hamilton Stores) and Glen
Canyon (Wahweap Marina). They should be released this month. The prospectus
for Crater Lake Lodge is being reviewed in WASO and another for the concession
on Grand Canyon's South Rim is being developed. Regions are also working
aggressively on 107 other contracts under $5,000,000.
Sessions on new concession regulations are being held throughout the country
for all park and regional personnel. These sessions have been very successful
and of great value in ensuring consistent interpretation and implementation of
the regs. The last session will be held in WASO at NCR on September 26th and
27th.
The record of compliance for the draft CUA regs is making its way through the
Department. Until these regulations go into effect, parks and regions should
continue to use the existing program.
2.2 Concessions Management Advisory Board
The next meeting of the board will be on August 28th and 29th in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. In addition to other business, the board will begin to outline its first
report to Congress, due in November.
2.3 Professionalization
The Concessions Division is beginning to implement recommendations in
response to the recent GAO report, with a strong emphasis on
professionalization and contracting procedures and development. A curriculum
and programs are being developed to address certification standards and to
enhance concession managers' skills in the contracting, hospitality and finance
arenas. The Service is working with the Department and OMB on updating
concession contracting processes. Sessions have also been held with regional
directors and their affected staffs on accountability issues within the program.
The Service's final comments on the report can be obtained upon request.
A potential IG audit of use of concession franchise fees has been cancelled due
to preliminary findings that WASO, regions and parks are administering the
program appropriately. Additional guidance on 80% franchise fee expenditures
for next fiscal year is being developed based on IG recommendations and further
discussions with the NLC. Concessions has also been asked to provide OMB
with an end-of-year report on the concession program.
2.4 Other Actions
The draft chapter of Management Policies on concessions has been transmitted
to the Office of Policy for publication and comment in the Federal Register.
Pilot parks are being identified for testing of the concession environmental audit
program. A draft guideline for developing a documented concession
environmental management program for the field is being reviewed by the
solicitor's office.
Staff continue to respond to numerous departmental and congressional
inquiries on the concession program.
3.0 INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION - Corky Mayo
3.1 Interpretation
Plans continue for National Public Lands Day, which will be held on September
23rd. To date, only 13 parks have responded (30 were involved last year). A
follow-up reminder about the program will be going out to the field.
Two traveling exhibits on the National Park System designed for trade shows are
in production as of this report. The exhibits centered around the "Experience
Your America" theme feature panels on discovery, pride, recreation and renewal.
The debut of the exhibits, which fit into a ten by ten foot space, will be at the
Discovery 2000 event in St. Louis in September.
Divisional staff are working to set up a long-term partnership with the National
Storytelling Network which has great potential to benefit NPS interpretation and
educational programs. As part of this relationship, efforts are underway to
develop a program for 2002 that would recognize and showcase existing NPS
storytelling activities and provide non-NPS funding to increase NPS storytelling
expertise and programming. A survey returned by 136 sites indicated a very
strong interest in establishing such a partnership with the NSN. A total of 38%
of the responding parks currently offer no storytelling programs, but are very
eager to receive training and assistance in how to establish such programs; 82%
of the sites requested assistance on how to identify compelling stories and ways
to present them to the public; 84% are interested in receiving training in
storytelling techniques. The preferred storytelling themes identified by the parks
were Native American culture (32%), animal stories and natural history (24%),
and folk tales (18%). Sandy Weber attended the National Storytelling Conference
in July in Kingsport, Tennessee, and met with the NSN executive board. The
board passed a resolution to move ahead with the project, opening the way to a
partnership with great potential to benefit NPS interpretation for many years.
Because of the popularity of the new interpretive development program and the
number of products being submitted for certification, a curriculum coordinators
workshop was held at Mather Training Center last winter to re-certify existing
certifiers and to train an additional cadre of new certifiers. There are currently
92 active certifiers, including two of the staff members of the WASO
interpretation and education office. The program experienced a 190% increase
in the number of products submitted between FY97 and FY98. Final figures are
not yet in for FY99, but midway through the year, submissions were running
33% ahead of the FY98 figure. Eighty-one Servicewide, curriculum-based
training sessions were offered to over 2000 interpretive trainees in FY98.
Sandy Weber met with members of the NPS Underground Railroad work group
in May to devise a set of criteria to use in designating educational and
interpretive programs as 'certified' under the Underground Railroad Network
program. The Underground Railroad Network is an NPS-headed group that
hopes to provide technical assistance and recognition to private, state and local
individuals and institutions that are providing interpretive and educational
programs and tours about the Underground Railroad. The network plans to set
up a program where interested applicants can apply for network 'certification' by
demonstrating that their programs meet the standards established by the
network. Programs that meet the criteria will receive permission to use the
network logo and technical assistance from the NPS. 'Certification' is valid for
three years and can be renewed if the standards continue to be met.
3.2 Education
Bob Huggins (WASO), Sandy Dayhoff (EVER), Maureen and Don Picard (CANA),
and Kathy Steichen (OLYM) represented the NPS at the National Science
Teachers Association's annual conference in Orlando, Florida. They were joined
by representatives from BLM, USFWS, USFS, and the National Environmental
Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) in staffing the "Partners in
Resource Education" booth and presenting two teacher workshops.
Approximately 20,000 teachers attended the conference and thousands of
contacts were made throughout the four-day event.
A two-day Parks as Classrooms meeting was held in Washington in April to
review the funding process and make recommendations on future
improvements. As a result of that meeting, a request for proposals went out on
June 1st with a WASO due date of September 15th. Additional changes will be
forthcoming for the 2002 call. The 1999 Parks as Classrooms annual report has
been completed and will be available electronically.
The MOU between NEETF and the Partners in Resource Education group is
being revised. It will be signed by the directors of the NPS, USFWS, BLM and
the chiefs of the USFS and NRCS at an appropriate ceremony.
The Service's relationship with the Goddard Space Flight Center continues to
expand and provide positive returns for both NASA and the NPS. Anita Davis
has recently helped developed a remote sensing training course for NPS
employees to be taught by NASA, USFWS and NPS instructors. She is also
working with Goddard Earth Science and the National Interagency Fire Center
on a fire research proposal. Arrangements are also being made to partner with
NASA's data buy program which will allow approved researchers to access
satellite data that NASA has bought from private firms. This will result in a
substantial savings to the NPS. Other results from this partnership include
developing a connection between NASA and the Cape Cod Learning Center,
working on new ways to do vegetation mapping with Landsat imagery, providing
training to NASA employees, assisting HFC in procuring video footage produced
by NASA, and providing satellite data to parks.
3.3 Cooperating Associations
The NPS have successfully completed the signing of the new five-year
cooperating association agreement. With the addition of National Maritime in
San Francisco, there are now 65 associations. Many associations have
completed supplemental agreements for special projects, programs,
construction, and fund raising.
3.4 Volunteers
The UPS Foundation began its volunteer impact initiative in 1997, with the goal of
increasing non-profit organizations' effective engagement of volunteers as a means
to enhance or expand services provided in local communities. Working with the
National Park Foundation, the NPS developed a grant proposal to improve Service
volunteer programs. The NPS was selected as a grant recipient along with City
Cares of America, the Salvation Army, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, and
Junior Achievement. The grant for $500,000.00 over a two-year period will be used
to broaden the scope of the National Park Service's volunteer program to include
more minorities, seniors and youth. The NPS is partnering with EASI
(Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement) in this venture. EASI is a not-for-
profit charitable organization that brings together local and national environmental
and senior citizen groups to provide leadership and creative support to
environmental efforts. An opportunity for several parks to compete for part of these
funds will be provided in 2000.
4.0 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
4.1 Housing - Donna Compton
As previously noted, the housing report has been delivered to the Committee on
Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies. The document,
entitled "Report On National Park Service Housing Policy and Housing
Evaluation Update," has also been posted on the division's web site
(http://pfmd.nps.gov/housing, under "Housing Reports to Congress"). The
document is too lengthy to print here, but you can view or obtain it on the web
page.
The report received a favorable review by subcommittee members. They have
since agreed that the NPS can proceed with its trailer replacement program and
with housing rehabilitation projects that are consistent with the approach
outlined in the NPS reports - that is, those instances where there is no dispute
among the NPS, the independent contractor, and GAO regarding housing needs.
Initial funding allocations have been made; funding priorities for FY 2001 are
being determined.
Meanwhile, Director's Order 36 is almost complete and should be available for
review in the next few weeks. Once DO-36 is finished, the existing employee
housing handbook will be revised to incorporate any necessary additions or
changes.
4.2 Transportation - Lou DeLorme
The call for funding for transportation planning and implementation projects is
due on August 25th. A meeting will be held to establish priorities on September
6th and 7th. Other alternative transportation program initiatives in the works
include a strategic plan and a decision tree to help park managers through the
transportation planning process.
4.3 Green Energy - Terry Brennan
Approximately $1.3 million has been allocated out of the 20% fee demo funds for
over 60 "Green Energy" parks program projects, including $95,000 for the
university/park energy audit program (the Department of Energy provided
another $75,000).
There are over 30 projects being funded by DOE alternative fuels funding this
year, and more parks will be involved with additional funding. Proposals are
being reviewed at this time.
DOE and Southeast Region signed an MOU in June to work to improve energy
efficiency in the parks. Here's part of the text from the CNN report:
"The future of the national parks in the Southeast United States is looking better
and brighter — at least from the perspective of energy efficiency and sustainable
energy technologies.
"Jim Powell, director of the U.S Department of Energy Atlanta Regional Office,
and Jerry Belson, director of the National Park Service's Southeastern Regional
Office, signed a formal agreement June 29 under which the two entities will
work together to provide energy efficient and renewable energy technologies for
park facilities in the Southeast. The signature ceremony took place at Great
Smoky Mountains National Park.
"The pact endorsed last week specifically identifies how the two regional offices
will work to meet the goals of the national Green Energy Parks Initiative. The
Green Energy Parks is a joint program between the DOE and the U.S.
Department of Interior that seeks to implement energy efficiency projects in
parks across the country and to teach the public about sustainable energy
technologies. The Green Energy Parks initiative went into effect in April 1999."
You can find out about the MOU at CNN's web site, found at:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/07/10/efficient.parks.enn/
4.4 Facility Management Software System Program - Betsy Dodson
The software has undergone a number of upgrades. In April, Maximo 4.03 was
installed at a number of locations. This was followed by implementation of user
restrictions that limit each park's view of data to its own information. In July,
NPS FMSS version 1.1.1 was installed on the text database. Several pilot parks
are currently reviewing and verifying changes and system integration. Six
custom NPS reports have been added to the Maximo program and are available
to all users.
The asset management module was demonstrated at the June meeting of the
pilot parks and is under refinement. When that has been completed, the module
will be brought into the production database. Redwood NP has completed
comprehensive condition assessments for its test district. These include all
feature measurements, floor plans, level one energy assessments, and seismic
information. These will be added to Maximo as soon as the asset management
module is available.
Representatives from the 30 pilot parks met in June to make sure all parks were
updated on decisions and changes. The meeting also provided a chance to test
the hardware configuration by simultaneously running 30 reports. The test was
successful, but did reveal a potential problem that will be addressed before the
next group of parks comes on line. The third level assignments were made and
included work manager, fleet management, NPS user manual development, and
PM work orders.
Training representatives also attended the June meeting and were able to get
feedback on alternate training methods. Three "tri-fold" quick tip handouts are
now available on the Maximo web site (http://pfmd.nps.gov/FacMgmt/) and a
user manual is under development. Review of a computer-based training disk
has been completed by both experienced and novice Maximo users to determine
its place in the training strategy. A revolving detail of pilot park personnel to the
Washington office has been established to assist parks in getting Maximo up
and running. This has been very successful - both in supporting parks and in
educating detailers on the entire FMSS program.
Concessions, GPRA/PMDS and FPPS are all continuing to develop links or
migrating to Maximo.
5.0 HARPERS FERRY CENTER
5.1 Media Inventory - Dave Nathanson
As of July 10th, HFC staff had entered 11,315 media forms from 398 parks and
offices into MIDS (media inventory database system). These include 1,006
audiovisual forms, 904 exhibit forms, 444 historic furnishing forms, and 8,961
wayside exhibit forms. The few remaining parks that have yet to respond have
been contacted and are actively working on their inventories. All data entry has
been completed for over 340 parks and all of them have been notified that they
may request passwords so that they may update their own information via the
web. To date over 150 parks have been issued passwords.
In addition:
o Work is still underway on methods to produce class C estimates for
media reported as unacceptable.
o The Department of Publications is actively preparing its data for entry
into MIDS.
o The Department of Interpretive Planning has expressed an interest in
making its products and services a component of MIDS. Discussions
continue.
o The MIDS office is now a component of the new Client Services
Department at the center.
5.2 HFC Realignment - Magaly Green
Peggy O'Dell has been selected for the newly created post of associate manager
for client services. O'Dell has worked for the Service for 20 years in a variety of
assignments, including visitor interpretive and educational programming, visitor
center management, general park management, supervisory park ranger duties,
and a superintendency - Jewel Cave NM in Custer, South Dakota, her current
position. She's been a frequent instructor for a variety of NPS training courses.
The quality of her work during her career has been recognized through
numerous special achievement and performance awards.
Harpers Ferry Center's Client Services Department will include interpretive
planning, project management, interpretive media inventory maintenance, media
effectiveness evaluation, research of new media technology for park use, value
analysis, and external communications. In addition, O'Dell will serve as the
Harpers Ferry Center manager's primary deputy.
5.3 Other Actions
Harpers Ferry Center's annual report for FY99 is now available on the center's
website at www.nps.gov/hfc/. The 53-page report addresses accountability,
information sharing, accomplishments, and forecasting. In order to read it, you
must have Acrobat reader software, available on the net for free.
6.0 YOUTH PROGRAMS - Bill Jones, Max Lockwood
The division has prepared an assessment of accomplishments in 1999 and 2000
and goals for the coming year. Accomplishments include the following:
o A web site for the Youth Programs Division has been completed and is
now up and running.
o A color brochure on divisional accomplishments has also been
completed. It's been augmented by three articles in NPS magazines on
the division and its objectives.
o An exhibit panel design and display on youth programs in the NPS has
been developed.
o Work is underway with Lou August and Trinity Technology on
introduction of computer skills to Job Corps students.
o Divisional staff have worked with the Girl Scouts on their "Link Girls to
the Land" program. The division secured a grant for the Girl Scouts
regional workshop which will be held in Lowell in October.
o A Director's Order policy statement for the division has been completed.
The DO will bring the Youth Programs Division into the mainstream and
give field personnel an opportunity to learn ways in which youth
programs are an asset to park operations.
Goals for the coming year include the following:
o Introduce a computer technology curriculum at all Job Corps centers.
o Continue to work with partners to help find innovative ways of brining
youth to our parks.
o Develop and print a poster on youth programs in the NPS.
o Work with the National Park Foundation to get money to develop a video
on youth programs throughout the system. A video could then be sent
out to parks and regional offices throughout the county, providing field
personnel a chance to learn about all of the different types of youth
programs available to the field.
o Finish the Director's Order for the Youth Programs Division.
7.0 RISK MANAGEMENT - Shirley Rowley, Dick Powell
7.1 OSHA Agreement
An assessment of the OSHA-NPS agreement is currently being conducted jointly
with OSHA's national office. Some parks have received excellent support and
training from OSHA area personnel; others have had mixed success. OSHA has
provided assistance with occupational health issues, including Lyme disease,
hearing conservation, hazard communication training, bloodborne pathogen
training, and ergonomics training.
7.2 OWCP Case Investigations
OWCP manager JoAnn Pena has cited Yosemite NP OWCP coordinator Cindy
Whitten for her zealous case management efforts. Whitten has been
instrumental in saving the NPS almost $150,000 in workmen's compensation
benefits, a sum based on the projected 75-year-life span of one employee.
The employee in question was injured while driving a government vehicle in
1987. He was unable to perform his job and was placed on periodic rolls,
receiving monetary compensation for lost wages and partial disability. According
to Department of Labor rules, anyone on OWCP rolls must comply with its
programs, including vocational rehabilitation, which assists injured employees
in returning to gainful employment. The employee completed the vocational
rehab process in 1994, but refused placement services for a suitable job.
According to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), an employee
who refuses to cooperate or to make a good faith effort to obtain reemployment
may have his or her compensation reduced or terminated by OWCP. This action
did not take place in this case because of an administrative error by the OWCP
servicing office, and the employee continued to receive full compensation until
2000.
Last January, Whitten reviewed the case and advised OWCP of what had taken
place. The employee underwent a second opinion examination. Medical evidence
indicated that he was no longer disabled and had actually recovered from the
1987 injury. OWCP benefits were terminated last month, and the employee was
transferred to OPM for retirement benefits.
7.3 Park Assistance Contract
Three contractors were selected in June to provide occupational safety and
health consultants to assist selected parks in developing effective safety and
health programs and putting them into effect during the coming fiscal year. A
request for nominations of parks to participate in this new contract has gone to
each region, and regions are preparing nomination lists in priority order.
The criteria for nomination are as follows:
o High incident rate for total number of employee accidents.
o New park site, giving site managers an opportunity to establish an
effective safety and health program from the outset.
o Superintendent or manager has demonstrated interest and commitment
to improving employee safety.
o Discretion of the regional director/associate director.
The current park assistance contract concludes at the end of this fiscal year.
The FY 1999 parks have completed most activities planned with their respective
contractors. Several of the FY 2000 parks are continuing with site assessments,
training for managers and supervisors, and follow-up consultations by their
assigned contractors. A total of 23 parks received assistance during the past two
fiscal years.
7.4 Public Safety Initiative
A strategic plan to guide the development of public risk management efforts as
part of the overall NPS risk management program has been approved. This plan
correlates to a GPRA goal that calls for reduction of visitor-related injuries and
illnesses by 10% by 2002. A standing committee for public risk management has
been established and charged with development of actions under the strategic
plan. Work is also underway on DO-50C on public safety.
A contract has been awarded to Clarke University to conduct a 30 park study on
public safety perceptions and needs. The contract is under the direct
supervision of the NPS social science program.
7.5 Incident Data Management
Dick Powell, risk management program manager, has been tasked with leading
an effort to find an incident reporting system for the NPS that will meet the
Service's needs for incident reporting and data management. A statement of
work has been developed for a contract to complete a needs assessment, assess
existing software on the market, and assist in determining the best product to
meet NPS needs.
7.6 Other Actions - Other developments of note include the following:
o The WASO Risk Management Office organized and conducted a
successful NPS safety and occupational health training conference in
Albuquerque in May following the cancellation of DOI's safety and health
conference. About 110 NPS and other DOI bureau representatives
attended the four-day conference, which also featured two certification
courses - OSHA 600A for collateral duty safety officers and root cause
analysis. Also offered were breakout sessions on medical standards,
wellness, safety management information system (SMIS) reporting, OSHA
partnerships, indoor air quality, Lyme disease, and other topics.
o A comparison of FY 1999 lost-time rates with the GPRA baseline rates
shows a 19% reduction in lost-time cases for FY99.
o SMIS is being used by 43% of parks to report park incidents/accidents -
an increase in usage of 4% from FY 1999. Regional usage for FY 2000 by
region is as follows: Alaska, 59%; Southeast, 58%; Intermountain, 48%;
National Capital, 47%; Midwest, 44%; Pacific West, 41%; Northeast, 32%.
o The risk management web site at www.nps.gov/riskmgmt has been
redesigned and contains new and expanded information.
8.0 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE - John Hanley, Sonya Coakley
No submission.
9.0 RANGER ACTIVITIES
9.1 Fire Management - Roberta D'Amico
The major wildland fire event in the third quarter of FY2000 was the Cerro
Grande Fire at Bandelier National Monument, which began as a prescribed
fire on Thursday, May 4th, and was declared a wildland fire on May 5th. On June
7th, the fire was declared 100% contained. Total acreage recorded for the fire was
47,650, with 235 structures lost. At the height of the firefighting effort, 1,289
personnel were assigned. The burned area emergency rehabilitation (BAER)
team arrived in Los Alamos on the week of May 15th to assess burn conditions
resulting from the fire and to make recommendations for emergency
rehabilitation projects to help reduce further natural resource damage. Due to
the size and complexity of the fire, the BAER team was comprised of about 100
resource specialists and support staff. This was the largest BAER effort in the
Southwest and may in fact have been the first truly inter-agency/inter-
organizational effort of this magnitude in the nation operating under an
accelerated time schedule. For more information on the BAER rehabilitation
effort, visit the website at www.baerteam.gov. Other activities stemming from or
related directly to the fire included:
o An inter-agency investigation, mandated by Secretary Babbitt, into the
circumstances surrounding the planning and execution of the fire. The
investigation was completed on May 18th. The team concluded that
federal personnel failed to properly plan and implement the prescribed
fire, and that critical mistakes were made throughout the process. The
team said that government officials failed to utilize the correct NPS
complexity analysis process; to provide substantive review of the
prescribed fire plan before it was approved; to evaluate conditions
adjacent to the prescribe fire boundary with regards to fire behavior, fuel
conditions, and public safety in the event the fire crossed the planning
boundaries; to complete and document the on-site review of critical
conditions identified in the prescribed fire plan prior to ignition; to
provide adequate contingency resources to successfully suppress the fire;
to provide any wind predictions in the three-to five day forecast periods
for May 7th to the 9th; and to follow safety policies for firefighters and the
public.
o A 30-day suspension of federal prescribed fires west of the 100th
meridian on May 12th. This action also included a requirement for
additional approvals of prescribed fires managed by federal land
management agencies. The moratorium was lifted for all agencies except
the NPS on May 26th.
o A GAO review of the events leading to the wildfire, which began on May
16th. The review was jointly requested by several senators and
representatives.
o An independent review board examination of the findings made by the
inter-agency investigative team noted above and endorsed all but one -
that the National Weather Service had failed to comply with existing
policies and working agreements in providing weather information. The
board made additional recommendations, and also concluded that fire is
an essential tool for good resource management if planned and
implemented in an open, collaborative manner and approached with the
requisite seriousness and attention.
o An independent, comprehensive review of NPS prescribed burning
policies by the National Academy of Public Administration.
o A directive to the NPS to initiate appropriate administrative procedures to
determine whether personnel actions should be taken in regard to the
way the burn was conducted.
9.2 Uniforms - Ken Mabery
The contract for the NPS uniform program, which also covers the Army Corps of
Engineers, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Office of Surface Mining - has
been awarded to Uniform Solutions (formerly R&R Uniforms) of Nashville,
Tennessee. The new contract will begin on October 1st and will cover all of the
approximately 24,000 uniformed employees in the three agencies. The contract
was awarded for a sum that is less than one percent more than the current
contract, an increase deemed appropriate when administrative costs are factored
in. New features in the contract include an emphasis on new product
development and inventory management; an emphasis on environmental
compliance and preferability; use of technology to provide uniform
accountability; websites and an on-line catalog, with on-line ordering linked to
existing agency databases; a paperless and electronic ordering and reporting
system; use of government purchase cards for payments and checks and
balances; incentives for superior performance and deductions or consequences
for non-performance tied to quarterly COTR surveillance of performance
outcomes; and a mandatory requirement to purchase specific uniform
components from Javits-Wagner O'Day approved sources.
Other developments:
o Website - Development of a government/contractor uniform program
website is proceeding. Beta testing by all of the agencies and the
contractor should take place in early September, and the system will go
on-line by the end of September.
o Policy and Management - The review of DO-43 and its accompany
reference manual will be completed on September 19th. So far, all of the
comments have been minor. The solicitor's review is complete - only
minor changes were made. Hand-off and familiarization for the contract,
the DO, and operational fine-tuning of the program will take place in
October at a Servicewide uniform committee meeting in Reno, which will
be held in conjunction with the other three agencies involved in the
contract. These same agencies have signed new interagency agreements
that commit to paying the NPS for administration of the contract.
o Wear Tests - Field wear testing of new shirts is nearing completion. Early
feedback is that a couple of fabrics have been found that meet needs for
hot climates and durability in work situations. Wear tests for the new
pullover sweater, work jacket, and convertible trousers are in progress,
but it's too early for even preliminary assessments. Field tests on relaxed
fit jeans have been delayed due to production problems.
o Program Management - Uniform program management duties have been
added to the SAR/EMS manager position PD. The job was announced
earlier this summer and closed on August 10th.
9.3 Law Enforcement - Dennis Burnett
Here's a snapshot of developments in several arenas in law enforcement over the
last quarter:
o Policy - Training of field personnel on DO-9 and RM-9 continues
throughout the NPS. A web-based learning site covering everything
rangers need to know about RM-9 will be up and running this month.
Two RM-9 work groups have been established - one to write a model
MOU and the other to draft guidance on rewards. An additional appendix
was added to RM-9 in June on special event teams.
o CIRS - Ranger Activities continues to work with Risk Management to
provide CIRS program coordination in evaluating possible computer
based incident reporting programs.
o Personnel - Ranger Activities has completed work on a position
description amendment and work plan for Pat Buccello on CISD
management and for Chip Davis on technical investigative equipment.
o RM-57 - Ranger Activities continues to work closely with the Division of
Human Resources in resolving medical issues and concerns. Seven
boards of review have been held on appeals of employees, with several
more queuing up. Ranger Activities is working with regions on individual
cases - running down information, answering questions, and resolving
issues and concerns. A memo on implementation procedures for the
medical standards in the health and fitness program for FY 2000 has
been completed and released, as was another directing superintendents
to begin implementation procedures immediately for all affected
employees and applicants.
o 6c - Considerable time has been spent on the issue of 6c covered and
non-covered positions and how they relate to mandatory separation from
the Service. Work also continued with the Solicitor's Office on a lawsuit
filed by wildland fire employees, and with the wildland fire community in
developing, completing and implementing medical standards for all
wildland fire positions.
9.4 Ranger Competencies - Ken Mabery
Work continues on development of ranger competencies via teleconferences and
through the work of task group members, who are undertaking aspects of the
project as time permits. A work session in July provided clear direction for
search and rescue and emergency medical competencies. These competency
requirements will be built into the respective program's reference manuals, at
least to the level of detail of course requirements.
9.5 Emergency Services - Ken Mabery
The above-noted ranger competencies session in July established six short-term
objectives for the emergency services program:
o Get the DO and RM for EMS and the RM for SAR through the review and
approval process.
o Identify training standards and coordinate efforts with the competencies
project.
o Improve communications with the field.
o Automate the annual SAR and EMS reports.
o Prepare to implement the Automatic External Defibrillator Act.
o Prepare and outline of action needs for the person selected for the
SAR/EMS manager position.
Major elements of all of the above (except the last) are underway.
A letter sent to the executive director for the National Registry in July outlined
the Service's accomplishments in reestablishing and advertising the EMS/SAR
manager position and the goals and action plans for the upcoming year. This
was a critical first step in keeping our "51st state" status with the registry. In the
letter, the NPS committed itself to improving its data management system,
retention of a medical doctor to serve as the Service's medical director, and
implementation of DO-51 on EMS. A fist step toward data management has
been taken - the annual EMS report will be web-based, making the data readily
available.
The 60-day review period for DO-51 on EMS concludes on September 19th. A
writing team for the accompanying reference manual is scheduled to meet in
September. The reference manual for search and rescue will correlate with DO-
50C on public safety. A rough draft has been prepared and will be refined over
the next few months. A review draft will be produced at a meeting in October.
* * * * *
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and support
of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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