NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, September 19, 2001
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, September 19, 2001
- Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 11:02:44 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2001
INCIDENTS
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
The National Park Service continues to provide support to its parks
and employees, gather information on the status of field areas for
DOI, and deal with security issues throughout the country. Director
Mainella will travel to New York this afternoon to meet and talk with
employees and to visit sites affected by the attacks. The Service's
Type 1 incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) continues its
operations from the South Interior Building. Tasks currently in the
works or completed include:
o Compilation of status reports on parks Servicewide for the
director and secretary.
o Compilation of reports on the status of dams.
o Coordination of numerous resource requests from across the NPS
for support personnel.
o Completion of a security evaluation for the Department of
Interior.
o Continuation of a security and risk assessment of NPS offices
in Washington, with a focus yesterday on facilities at AOC and
800 North Capitol.
o Compilation of resource availability lists by region.
The following changes in the status of National Park Service areas and
offices were reported yesterday:
o Washington Office (DC) - Over the weekend of September 8th and
9th, portions of WASO (130 people from Administration and
Natural Resources) were relocated from the Main Interior
Building to new offices on G Street as part of the phased move
associated with renovation of Main Interior. Yesterday, those
offices began relocating back to Main Interior as part of a
series of office relocations underway in downtown Washington
in response to the current crisis. Communications with these
individuals may be slow for a few days as offices, phones, and
computers are reconfigured. The present target is to resume
normal business by Monday. Your patience is appreciated.
There's no word yet on when or where WASO may be relocated as
part of the modernization of Main Interior.
o New York Area Parks - There are 13 trained NPS peer supporters
working with personnel from all of the New York area parks.
The team's goal is to provide a one-on-one contact with all
employees. Work area debriefings are scheduled throughout next
week. The team is in contact with mental health professionals
from EAP, Red Cross, and Gilmartin/Harris (well known mental
health advisors to the NPS). The CISM team may be contacted at
212-883-1986, ext 317/318, with any questions or concerns.
o Catoctin MP (MD) - The central portion of the park will be
closed from noon on September 21st to noon on September 24th.
o National Capital Parks (DC) - All monuments have reopened.
o Curecanti NRA (CO) - The east portal area and an area
close to a dam spillway are closed to the public.
o USS Arizona Memorial (HI) - The park has reopened.
o Cabrillo NM (AZ) - The park has reopened.
o Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Launch ramps below Hoover Dam and the
lake immediately above the dam are closed. The dam itself is
open to passenger cars, but closed to trucks and recreational
vehicles. Davis Dam is closed.
o Yosemite NP (CA) - Hetch-Hetchy Dam is open.
o Whiskeytown NRA (CA) - Whiskeytown Dam is open; Shasta Dam is
closed.
o Lake Roosevelt NRA (WA) - Grand Coulee Dam is closed, but the
visitor center is open.
[Pat Buccello, CISM Team, STLI, 9/19; Dennis McGinnis, Type 1 IMT,
WASO, 9/19; Sue Masica, Administration, WASO, 9/19; SHEN EICC, 9/18]
01-517 - Everglades NP (FL) - Shark Bite
On the evening of September 9th, rangers Bill Raften and John Goodwin
received a call reporting that D.F., 44, had been bitten by a
shark near Flamingo. D.F. caught what was described as a five-foot
black tip shark at the Snake Bight channel, a half mile east of
Flamingo. While he was trying to release the shark from the line, it
thrashed its tail and knocked him overboard. Once in the water, the
shark bit him, inflicting a 10-inch laceration on his upper right leg,
a lesser laceration on his lower right leg, and several deep
lacerations on his left hand. D.F. and his fishing partner were able to
get the vessel back to Flamingo. When Raften arrived, he saw that D.F.
was exhibiting signs of shock and called Miami Dade Air Rescue. D.F.
was transported by helicopter to the trauma unit at Jackson Memorial
Hospital in downtown Miami. In a later interview, D.F. said that the
doctors put 30 to 40 stitches in his hand, but were leaving the leg
wound open for a time to prevent infection. [CRO, EVER, 9/18]
01-518 - Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP's (CA) - Search; Fatality
Rangers, Forest Service personnel and Fresno County deputies were
involved in a search for a missing hiker in Kings Canyon NP last week.
A commercial ranch just outside the park called to report that a
50-year-old client, R.S.A., had left early on September
7th for a day hike to Pavilion Dome and had not returned. An initial
hasty search and containment efforts were conducted that night, but
proved fruitless. Aerial and ground searches were begun the next day
with four ground teams, two dog teams and three helicopters.
Footprints located near the 11,846-foot summit matched R.S.A.'s
shoe size, indicating that he had approached the summit via the normal
route. No other hikers were known to have been in this remote area of
the park and weather conditions were not an issue. On September 9th,
the crew of the Fresno County helicopter spotted R.S.A.'s lifeless
body outside the park at the base of the mountain. Sierra Crest SDR
Debbie Brenchley was the incident commander.[Kinsey Shilling, DR,
SEKI, 9/14]
01-519 - Natchez Trace Parkway (MS/AL/TN) - Rescue
On September 14th, ranger intake trainee Derek Anderson and his field
training officer, ranger Joe Mangino, were on an orientation patrol
when they encountered a serious motor vehicle accident at milepost 34.
They witnessed the collision of the vehicle with a tree and the
subsequent fire to the engine compartment. Mangino directed Anderson's
actions and removed the occupants from the vehicle, which had caught
fire. First aid was provided to the two victims, twin sisters Krystal
Wilson and Kristen Wilson. Both were wearing only shoulder restraints.
Driver Kry.W. suffered a fractured ankle; passenger Kri.W.
sustained fractures to both femurs, internal injuries, and
possible broken ribs. The fire was knocked down and contained to the
engine compartment using a fire extinguisher from the patrol car.
[Jackie Henman, ACR, NATR, 9/18]
[Additional reports pending....]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Three national Type 1 teams are supporting FEMA operations in
Washington and New York:
Bateman's team is supporting urban rescue efforts in New York City and
is based at the incident command post at the Jacob Javits Convention
Center in lower Manhattan. The team is operating a mobilization,
receiving and distribution center in a ware house adjacent to the
center.
Stutler's team is managing mobilization centers in Edison and at
McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Their main objective is to assist in
handling the movement of supplies, equipment and personnel in support
of the disaster field office (DFO).
Gage's team is supporting Pentagon rescue operations and is based at
the Anacostia Naval Station in Arlington, Virginia. The team has
merged with a California interagency incident management team. They
are supporting FEMA's urban search and rescue (USAR) task forces.
One new large fire was reported in the Northwest yesterday; a large
fire in the northern Rockies was contained. Initial attack was
moderate in northern California and the Northwest. Very high to
extreme indices were reported in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Medical Standards Program Update - Ranger Activities special agent Pat
Buccello has been selected as the medical standards program manager
and will EOD in WASO on September 23rd. Pat has over 20 years of
experience in all aspects of visitor and resource protection and is a
graduate of the Women's Executive Leadership Program. She's worked at
Grand Canyon, Everglades, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Zion,
Intermountain Regional Office, Acadia and WASO. In addition to her
background in law enforcement, Pat has a strong medical background as
an active paramedic. Ranger Activities is happy to have her on board
to continue work on this very important program. Pat's current phone
number is 207-288-0431. When she reports to WASO, her phone number
will be 202-266-4603. Heather Miller, currently in the human resources
office at Channel Islands, has been selected as the medical standards
program analyst, effective September 17th. She will provide support to
the program manager in the creation of an effective database and
timely communication and support to the field. JT Townsend from MWRO
will continue on a detail assisting the program manager until October
19th. Heather may be reached at 202-266-4522 and JT at 202-266-4603.
[Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO]
Web Site Problems - Due to technical difficulties the park profile
update utility (www.nps.gov/parkprofile/) is temporarily unavailable.
WASO ITC staff are working to correct the problem as soon as possible.
[Steve Pittleman, ITC/WASO]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Cumberland Island NS (GA) - The park has a temporary detail
opportunity for a law enforcement ranger. Due to vacancies and
upcoming managed hunts, the park is seeking a ranger on detail to
cover a period spanning from four to twelve weeks. Cumberland Island
is a 30,000-acre barrier island located in the southeast corner of
Georgia. The essential activities for this detail include frontcountry
and wilderness patrol, hunting patrols and EMS responses. A level I or
II commission and at least First Responder certification is required.
Boat operating skills are a plus but not required. The ranger will
live on the island in comfortable government quarters during the
detail. Cumberland Island is accessible only by boat. Groceries and
other supplies are transported to the island either on the passenger
ferry or on park boats. This is a great opportunity to enjoy this
extraordinary area and gain diverse experience - and not have to camp!
Cumberland Island will pay all travel expenses. The sending park will
pay the base salary. Nearly all issues are negotiable. For more
information, contact chief ranger Brian Peters, 912-882-4336, ext.
258. [Brian Peters, CUIS]
Theodore Roosevelt NP (ND) - On September 29th, John Suter will hang
up his flat hat after 31 years as a seasonal ranger in the park's
North Unit. John spent 27 years in law enforcement and the last four
years as the lead VUA for the North Unit fee operation. His excellence
in service to our park visitors and his dedication to Theodore
Roosevelt National Park will be sorely missed. There are very few
individuals left in the service who can claim 31 years of seasonal
service in the same park. John did outstanding work throughout his
career and the park wishes him well as he and his wife Lolly travel to
other parks where John has trained and worked assignments. [Gary
Kiramidjian, THRO]
UPCOMING IN CONGRESS
The following activities will be taking place in Congress during
coming weeks on matters pertaining to the National Park Service or
kindred agencies.
For inquiries regarding legislation pertaining to the NPS, please
contact the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at
202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate
legislative specialist. For additional information on specific bills
(full text, status, etc.), please check Congress's web site at
http://thomas.loc.gov/.
HEARINGS/MARK-UPS
Tuesday, September 25
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public
Lands (Hefley): Hearing on H.R. 980 (Wamp, TN), a bill to establish
the Moccasin Bend National Historic Site in the state of Tennessee as
a unit of the National Park System. The hearing will be held in 1334
Longworth.
Wednesday, September 26
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Forest and Public
Land Management (Wyden): Oversight hearing on the Northwest forest
plan. The hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in 366 Dirksen.
House Resources Committee (Hansen): Hearing on potential alternative
energy sources available on national public lands, focusing on
potential availability of alternative energy (wind, geothermal, solar,
and ocean thermal) available for retrieval on federal lands. The
hearing will be at 11:00 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
The following bills either directly or indirectly pertaining to the
NPS have been introduced since the last Morning Report listing of new
legislation (July 31st):
No new bills.
NEW LAWS
The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law by
the President:
No new laws.
* * * * *
Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed
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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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