NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, January 23, 2001

INCIDENTS

01-016 - Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - Structural Fire

On the afternoon of January 21st, the Park Police received a call from 
the NPS-administered wildlife refuge VC at Jamaica Bay reporting that 
an intrusion alarm had been activated and that smoke had been observed 
in the building. Shortly thereafter, New York City FD units responded 
to a call from Park Police dispatch stating that heavy smoke was 
emanating from Building 101 in the refuge district, which contained 
the district's administrative, resource management, and wildland fire 
offices and its library. It took about an hour for 25 city 
firefighters to extinguish the blaze. Investigators have determined 
that the fire originated near an electrical outlet and telephone panel 
in the southeast corner of the building's conference room. Both power 
and telephone lines were smoldering before the blaze started. The 
telephone lines had an unusual amount of current, and it may be that 
current from the power line crossed over to the telephone line, 
causing the fire. There was extensive fire and smoke damage to the 
conference room, kitchen and all offices in the building. Damage 
assessments are being prepared. It's likely that major repairs will be 
required. [Jose Rosario, CR, Lt. John Marigliano, USPP, GATE, 1/22]

01-017 - Saguaro NP (AZ) - Resource Damage; Weapons Possession

On January 13th, rangers came upon a "paintball war" in progress in 
the park. Eleven men dressed in camouflage and armed with CO2 powered 
paintball rifles were found in a full-blown engagement near the 
Broadway trailhead in the East District. Thousands of rounds of 
paintball ammunition were exchanged. Although there were several 
visitors on foot and horseback in the area, none of them were hit. 
Over a square mile of desert vegetation, saguaro cacti and signs were 
hit with paintballs in a multitude of colors. Fortunately, the paint 
was water-based and biodegradable and most visible effects were gone 
by the next day. Rangers caught and detained the eleven and 
confiscated their rifles and about 5,000 rounds of paintballs. Each of 
the men was cited for possession of a weapon. [Bob Lineback, Acting 
CR, SAGU, 1/22]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Plan

No new information. Please check the NPS Fire Management Program 
Center web page (www.fire.nps.gov) for further information on fire 
plan projects.

Park Fires

No fires reported.

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No submissions.

MEMORANDA

"Servicewide Mid-Level Intake Program," signed by the director on 
January 18th and sent to all employees. The full text follows:

"I am pleased to announce the servicewide Mid-level Intake program. As 
part of the management succession plan of the National Park Service, 
the Mid-Level Intake program forms part of a human resources strategy 
to match the organization's future need for leaders with people who 
are prepared for leadership.  

"Recent legislation, such as section 103 of the National Park Service 
Omnibus Act of 1998, directs the development of a management training 
and development program whereby career, professional qualified 
employees from any appropriate career field may obtain sufficient 
training, experience, and advancement opportunity to move into park 
management positions. The mid-level intake program offers an immediate 
response to this legislation by seeking qualified applicants in 
various job series to fill leadership track positions for which 
workforce attrition, retirement eligibility and employment trends 
suggest a need.

"Provided by regional directors and associates, leadership career 
positions will be designated for the mid-level intake program and 
advertised to internal and external candidates.  All selected 
applicants must meet minimum qualifications for selection and 
placement into the designated leadership track positions. Selectees 
participate in a two-year management training program that offers 
training in NPS mission, congressional operations, partnership 
building, and other core leadership areas. 

"Various positions at the GS 11 and GS 12 levels will be offered in FY 
2001. Each position will be advertised under Merit Promotion (internal 
sources) and Delegated Examining Unit (external sources) stating the 
qualifying, employment and placement information. Interested 
individuals should contact the Mid-level Intake Program, c/o National 
Park Service, Human Resources Franchise Office, 12795 W. Alameda 
Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287; or email to 
NPS_MidLevel_Intake@nps.gov.

"The purpose of the mid-level intake program is to strengthen the 
professional leadership of the National Park Service and to equip the 
Service with the management and leadership skills essential to meet 
new challenges and fulfill our mission.  This program offers us an 
opportunity to broaden the pool of candidates for management position 
in the National Park Service. 

"The human capital of the NPS is one of our greatest assets.  The 
value of any asset is increased through investment. I hope that all 
managers will heartily support this program and help to identify those 
with the talent, dedication, and perseverance to take us to the 
future."

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Indiana Dunes NL (IN) - The park is currently recruiting for a 
GS-12/13 chief ranger. The park is located in northwest Indiana at the 
southern tip of Lake Michigan, approximately 50 to 60 miles southeast 
of Chicago. The chief ranger directs a team of skilled rangers and 
supervises a supervisory park ranger, criminal investigator, resource 
protection specialist, and support staff.  Program responsibilities 
include but are not limited to law enforcement, visitor services, 
structural fire protection, concessions management and the special 
park use program.  The vacancy announcement is open governmentwide and 
closes on February 6th.  Additional information is available on USA 
Jobs or by calling the park's personnel office at 219-926-7561 x441. 
[Al Nash, PAO, INDU]

Gulf Islands NS (FL/MS) - The park is advertising for seasonal 
GS-189-3/4 lifeguards in the park's Mississippi District. Three 
positions will be filled on Ship Island; the season will be from 
mid-May to Labor Day. Applicants must be currently certified in CPR, 
First Aid, and lifeguard training prior to the appointment. The 
announcement number is S01-06 on USA Jobs and is open until filled or 
June 4th, whichever comes first. Tryouts for the positions will begin 
in March. For more information or to obtain a copy of the 
announcement, call the park's personnel job line at 850-934-2601. 
[Kitty Lewis, GUIS]

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Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed 
by park, office and/or regional cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please 
address requests pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your 
servicing hub coordinator.  The Morning Report is also available on 
the web at http://www.nps.gov/morningreport

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the 
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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