NPS Morning Report - Thursday, September 13, 2001
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Thursday, September 13, 2001
- Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 09:27:33 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Thursday, September 13, 2001
*** NOTICE ***
Director Mainella has authorized the wearing of black bands on badges
for uniformed employees, and has specifically asked that ALL employees
with badges wear such bands. The bands are to be worn horizontally
across the middle of the badge and are to be worn until further
notice.
Effective today and until further notice, there will be both a Morning
Report (released approximately 0900 EDT) and an Afternoon Report
(released approximately 1500 EDT).
INCIDENTS
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
Additional reports have been received regarding the National Park
Service response to Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Those reports appear
below. Secretary Norton yesterday issued this press release regarding
the reopening of National Park Service areas in Washington and
elsewhere in the United States:
"Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced that the
monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C., have been reopened to the
public.
"'We are all saddened and horrified by the magnitude of the tragedy
our nation has experienced. Our focus remains on the safety of our
visitors and our employees. We must remain vigilant as we provide the
American people access to our nation's monuments, memorials and parks
for the solace and inspiration they provide,' Secretary Norton said.
'The Washington, D.C., National Park sites are a special inspiration
to the freedoms all Americans hold so precious.'
"The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans
Memorials reopened to the public at approximately 11:30 a.m. The sites
had been closed yesterday after the tragedy at the Pentagon to ensure
the safety of the American public, park staff, and the monuments and
memorials. The Washington Monument, which has been closed for several
months due to ongoing restoration work, remains closed.
"National Park sites throughout the nation reopened today and have
resumed normal business activities. Secretary Norton and National Park
Service Director Fran Mainella have asked superintendents at each of
the 384 sites to use their discretion in determining whether to limit
or augment personnel and operations in sites where such measures are
deemed appropriate.
"At National Park sites in Manhattan and the New York City area,
operations are more limited, and most of the sites in Manhattan are
closed today. At Federal Hall on Wall Street, a water tower on the
roof collapsed last evening. Gateway National Recreation Area is open
except for areas where the New York Police Department is staging
operations.
"Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, two of the
nation's greatest symbols of freedom, have reopened today as well.
"'We encourage everyone to draw inspiration from our greatest national
treasures, and let them serve as reminders that this nation will
endure and prosper,' Secretary Norton concluded.
Please also see Secretary Norton's memorandum to all employees under
"Memoranda" below. Other reports from around the agency follow:
o Washington Office (DC) - The National Park Service's national
all-risk Type 1 team will begin operations in Washington
sometime this morning. The director is about to sign a
delegation of authority to the team; the text of that
delegation will appear in this afternoon's edition or
tomorrow.
o USPP/New York Field Office (NY) - All available personnel were
called in for duty following the crash of the two planes into
the World Trade Center. Four USPP vessels were sent to secure
the waters around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and
to assist in medevacs of injured people from the area.
Officers were sent to Federal Hall to assist with the securing
and protection of that building; others were assigned to Ellis
Island to assist with the set-up of a triage center. About 275
people were treated there; of these, about 60 were transported
and admitted to local hospitals. The Statue of Liberty was
evacuated. Officers were also assigned to the gates of Floyd
Bennett Field, Fort Tilden, and Fort Wadsworth and to close
those areas to the public. Rangers from Fire Island NS
assisted USPP with two vessels and personnel.
o Morristown NHP (NJ) - As word spread that both World Trade
Center towers had been struck by airplanes and were on fire,
people in Morristown headed to the Fort Nonsense Unit of the
park to view the buildings, which can be clearly seen from the
park's east-facing overlook (a distance of approximately 30
miles). The number of vehicles arriving at the unit quickly
overwhelmed available parking space and the area was closed to
additional vehicles for the remainder of the day. The other
units of the park were closed as a safety precaution. Visitors
were allowed to walk up to the top of Fort Nonsense throughout
the day to view New York City. An additional ranger was
brought in to assist with traffic control. There were no
incidents. Park grounds and restrooms were reopened yesterday;
the visitor center, museum and other historic buildings will
reopen today.
o Canaveral NS (FL) - On Tuesday, NASA Kennedy Space Center
officials asked park staff to immediately clear and secure the
South District's Playalinda Beach of park visitors due to the
proximity to NASA property. The beach and parking lot were
cleared and the park was closed and secured. All personnel
were evacuated from NASA lands and security measures there
were increased. Playalinda Beach remained closed yesterday.
Apollo Beach in the North District remained open from the
north entrance to parking lot #5. Barricades were placed on
the beach at area #5 and staff posted to stop unauthorized
persons from passing the barricades and entering NASA
property. Playalinda will remain closed until further notice.
The Kennedy Space Center and all areas in close proximity to
the center remain in a heightened state of alert.
o Mount Rushmore NP (SD) - The park was closed at 9:30 a.m. on
the morning of September 11th in order to protect visitors,
employees and resources. During the tense hours of the attacks
and the aftermath, there was great concern that symbols of our
nation could be potential targets. Additional law enforcement
staff was brought on to increase patrols and security checks.
No specific threats were received or observed and the park
reopened with full programs and operations at 8 a.m.
yesterday. The park received great support in protecting the
park and its visitors from other NPS areas, the FBI, and state
and local law enforcement agencies.
o Alaska Region - The region is working with FAA and the parks
to expedite the removal of aviation restrictions, since access
to many parks is by air only. There's also concern that
employees and visitors (hunters and river floaters) awaiting
pickup by planes may run short of food or have game spoil.
Weather conditions are also deteriorating. All parks are open
and all essential functions continue despite the air
restrictions.
[Lt. John Lauro, USPP, NYFO, 9/12; Gregory Smith, CR, MORR, 9/12;
Norah Martinez, CR, CANA, 9/12; MORU, 9/12; Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO,
9/13; Betty Knight, ARO, 9/12]
[Additional reports pending....]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 3
The Forest Service has been tasked by FEMA with providing two Type 1
incident management teams (Gage and Bateman) to manage mobilization
and distribution centers in response to the New York City and Pentagon
disasters. One additional Type 1 team (Stutler) has been ordered to
stage in preparation for incident mobilization as needed.
No new large fires were reported yesterday; two were contained.
Initial attack was light nationwide. Very high to extreme indices were
reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
NICC has not issued any watches or warnings for today.
For the full NICC report, see http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.
National Resource Status (Five Day Trend)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
Date 9/9 9/10 9/11 9/12 9/13
Crews 317 238 230 253 238
Engines 327 213 212 237 246
Helicopters 84 86 76 75 66
Air Tankers 0 0 2 1 1
Overhead 2,279 1,762 1,667 1,670 1,723
Park Fire Situation
Glacier NP (MT) - Warmer and dryer weather have led to increased
activity on the Moose fire (67,400 acres, approximately 17,000 within
the park), now 45% contained. There is no longer an estimated date for
full containment. Current commitment: Type 2 team w/362 FF/OH
committed, including nine crews, three engines, and five helicopters).
Extreme Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Very High Mojave NP, Zion NP
High N/A
[NPS Situation Summary Report, 9/12; NICC Incident Management
Situation Report, 9/13]
MEMORANDA
Untitled memorandum, from Secretary Gayle Norton to all DOI employees,
signed and sent on Wednesday, September 12th:
"We all share a sense of stunned disbelief over the tragedies that
took place yesterday. No words can adequately describe our feelings
at this time. However, it is important that we continue to fulfill
our missions. By providing uninterrupted service, we reaffirm that we
will not be intimidated by acts of terrorism. We ask that all
employees report to work on Thursday, September 13 to continue serving
the public on a business-as-usual basis.
"My number one concern is and will always be the safety of our
employees and the public. The Department has clearly defined
emergency procedures that are situation-specific, and should be
followed. Until further notice we will be operating with heightened
security measures.
"We have been very impressed with your dedication and desire to help.
Several of you suggested that we initiate a blood drive. We are
exploring the possibility of initiating a blood drive at the Main
Interior Building. In the meanwhile, we suggest that all those
interested in donating blood call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to
make an appointment (see separate memorandum below). You can also
monitor the Red Cross website at www.redcross-cmd.org, where all local
chapters are identified with telephone numbers and to get current
information on its critical needs such as food and clothing. We also
will pass on information to you regarding coordinated relief efforts
we may take as a Department as these decisions are made.
"As requested by the Attorney General, if you see anything suspicious
or have any information regarding the tragic events, please contact
the Department of Justice Tipster Hotline at 1-866-483-5137.
"Your supervisor can provide information on counseling and how to
contact our security professionals that may be available in your area
to assist you or answer questions, if needed. You can also call our
employee assistance number at 1-800-222-0364.
"We are continuing to maintain all our services to the public and to
maintain all normal business operations. I thank you for your
dedicated service to the American people."
The second memorandum, alluded to in the secretary's memo, was sent
out yesterday by OPM Director Kay Cole James and is entitled "Blood
Donation":
"Federal employees across the country are reacting to yesterday's
tragic attacks and seeking ways to help. We will be putting out
guidance to agencies on areas such as emergency leave transfer to
those directly affected, excusing employees from work affected by the
emergency, and making contributions through the Combined Federal
Campaign. A continuing need has been identified, however, for blood
donations. By donating blood, Federal employees can make a critical,
personal and immediate difference to those who are in need.
"At the present time, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to
call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment in the coming days and
weeks to replenish the blood that may be used immediately in the wake
of yesterday's attacks. This number will route the donor to the
nearest blood collection site. Due to the extraordinary outpouring of
support by the American public, the Red Cross is experiencing higher
call volumes than usual; calls will be returned and appointments
scheduled as quickly as possible. The need for blood is going to be
long term. Please encourage your employees to become blood donors.
Heads of executive departments and agencies have authority to excuse
employees from work without charge to leave or loss of pay for
purposes of blood donation."
* * * * *
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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