NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, October 2, 2001
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, October 2, 2001
- Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 05:15:01 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2001
INCIDENTS
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
A great deal has been written and said about the terrorist attacks and
their impacts on this country, some of it quite eloquent. Among the
latter was a speech given by one of our own, Ellis Island NM
interpretive ranger Raymond Collins.
Pat Buccello, head of the NPS critical incident stress management team
that has been in the New York area these past days, was at the session
in which he spoke. She writes: "The speech was given on Ellis Island
on September 17th, the first time that all of the employees from
Liberty and Ellis Island had been together since the attack. It was a
private time for the employees to share their stories with each other.
Ray's words were quite moving and he was asked to repeat them at the
meeting of all the New York area park employees two days later in
which Director Mainella addressed the employees. At this meeting, over
300 NPS employees from all divisions, including the USPP, gathered on
the main floor of the Ellis Island museum. At the conclusion of
messages of support from the director, park and regional office staff,
Ray stepped up to the microphone. To understand the impact of his
message, you need to know his history. He is a relatively recent
(Armistice Day 1984) immigrant to the USA from the terrorism torn
region of Belfast, Ireland. Since 1994, he was been an interpreter on
Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The power of his message must
be heard through his strong, lilting Irish brogue." Excerpts from his
presentation follow:
"Since 9:03 a.m. on September 11th until returning to Ellis Island
exactly one week later, I lived primarily, though not exclusively,
inside my mind; a tortuous journey through acutely painful memories of
past traumas now re-born in the horrific deaths amongst the twisted
wreckage and cruel carnage of those beautiful twin brothers now laid
low. That mental journey resurrected my own personal immigrant
experience.
"I would never have imagined, as a raggle-taggle crazy little kid in
the back streets of Belfast, that I would one day be guarding the
Statue of Liberty. Nor did I ever think that as a new emigrant to
America that I would be acting the role of a turn-of-the-century - the
nineteenth century that is - Irish immigrant right here on Ellis
Island, where so many of my fellow countrymen and women flocked to
these shores in search of peace, prosperity, and security...
"As a musician/actor, I have traveled widely and visited and lived in
many of the world's major cities. But none is comparable to New York
City - the Big Apple - and my adopted home, Brooklyn.
"I love and thrive on meeting people from all over the world.
Outsiders often accuse Americans in general and New Yorkers in
particular of thinking they are better than the rest of the world put
together. Sure why not. We are the rest of the world put together.
"I love the diversity of America. I love this culture which has been
made vibrant and enriched by the contributions of peoples from all
over this earth, and I am deeply saddened and shocked to have
witnessed the deaths of those people in the World Trade Center
atrocity. One of our posts at the Statue of Liberty is 6P, better
known as the Pedestal. It is there at the feet of the Statue that I
have met, chatted, joked, and taken pictures with visitors from all
over the globe: visitors of all races, nationalities, and religions.
Of course, the twin towers of the World Trade Center were always a
favorite attraction from that magnificent panoramic view of the
Manhattan skyline from the top of the pedestal of Lady Liberty.
"Then, on the BBC television world service, I watched the coverage of
the three minutes' silence held all across the world in honor of the
victims of the World Trade Center attacks. I wondered how many amongst
those multitudes standing and kneeling in dignified silence and prayer
had met and chatted with my fellow workers and me. It was one of my
most personal and moving moments of that awful week. Now we have to
decide how and when we will ever meet those people again.
"As I said earlier I love the diversity of this nation, especially in
New York City. Now that diversity must become unity if we are to
survive. I have first-hand experience of the consequences of the
traumas and long-term consequences of bombings and assassinations. We
all now face the same enemy - terrorism. We also need to deal with a
very potent and destructive enemy - ourselves. Our inner fears, our
doubts, our anxieties.
"We need each other more than ever now, and we need to be strong and
supportive of each other. We can certainly take example and strength
from our firefighters, police, medical staff, and rescue workers,
whose incredible selfless bravery, courage, and compassion we have all
witnessed with awe and admiration.
"As I look around me I see the faces of people I love; the faces of my
friends and colleagues. I have faith in my fellow sisters and
brothers - in law enforcement, in management, in protection, in
administration, in interpretation, in maintenance, all of my fellow
workers. We are all family. I want to see that family safe and well.
One of our greatest allies and best friends is the public we serve. We
need to educate them to be our eyes and our ears. A general public
that is acutely aware and keenly sensitive to suspicious behavior and
unattended items is an invaluable asset in helping to prevent acts of
terrorism. We certainly do not need nor want vigilantes. But we
certainly need vigilance - and then more vigilance.
"I wish to conclude with some words from the pen of Ireland's
greatest poet, William Butler Yeats. They are quotes from two poems -
'The Second Coming' and 'Easter 1916.' 1916 is of course an important
date in Anglo-Irish history. And it is also the year in which the
National Park Service was founded.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. . .
(All) are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
"We are now part of that birth. We have had a baptism of fire. Let us
join in a communion of love and solidarity and a confirmation of unity
and security. Thank you. God bless."
Pat concludes: "(Ray) ended with his beautiful voice singing 'America
the Beautiful,' which resonated through the Ellis Island museum. As he
started to sing, 300 fellow employee began to rise in unison and join
him in song. In the background, a USPP explosives dog worked the
building. In the foreground, we could gaze out the windows of Ellis
Island toward the Manhattan skyline, forever changed. There were no
speeches or words that could adequately follow this moment. Employees
gradually moved through the hall to talk with friends from other areas
they hadn't had the chance to speak with since September 11th. There
were many hugs, smiles, and words of support. It was a moment most of
us will never forget."
01-534 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Thermal Burn
A student from Idaho State University suffered a second degree burn to
his right ankle and lower calf when he stepped into hot mud while
participating in a field trip in the Rabbit Creek drainage in the Old
Faithful area on the afternoon of Saturday, September 29th. B.T.
was with a group of students and their professor doing field
work collecting thermal samples as part of a park research permit. The
professor instructed the group on how to circumvent a specific feature
that they had been discussing, but B.T. chose an alternate route,
which included a single step on a clay-like surface. The surface
appeared solid, but when he stepped onto it his right foot punched
through and sank ankle-deep into hot mud. B.T. immediately removed
his tennis shoe and sock. Group members cooled his ankle with water,
then wrapped the foot with a clean shirt and covered it with a nylon
bag. B.T. was carried out to one the vehicles and taken to the Old
Faithful clinic and ranger station. The group arrived at the clinic
around 6 p.m. and found it closed, so one of the students dialed 911.
Park rangers responded and provided emergency medical treatment, then
transported B.T. to the Old Faithful helispot. He was flown by the
Air Idaho medevac helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
in Idaho Falls, Idaho, for further treatment. B.T. was released from
the hospital on Sunday, September 30th. [Public Affairs, YELL, 10/1]
[Additional reports pending....]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 2
Two national Type 1 teams continue to support FEMA operations in New
York. The incident command post is at the Jacob Javits Convention
Center in lower Manhattan. The teams are operating a mobilization,
receiving and distribution center from a warehouse adjacent to the
convention center. Coordination with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the New York City Fire Department and the New York Office of
Emergency Management for geographic information system needs
continues. The logistics sections of the teams are providing radio
equipment, transportation, food, laundry and shower services to
incident personnel.
Initial attack was light nationwide on Sunday. No new large fires were
reported.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Texas,
Washington and Wyoming.
Park Fire Situation
Yellowstone NP (WY) - Fire activity continues in the park due to
continuing warm, dry, windy weather. An incident management team
arrived in the park on Sunday and assumed management of all park fires
that are being permitted to burn for resource benefits:
o Sulphur fire (3,300 acres) - The fire, started by lightning on
August 15th, is located across the river from Mud Volcano. It
is currently very active and moving to the northeast, away
from the Canyon developed area and the south rim. The fire is
being actively managed through daily monitoring and mapping.
o Little fire (325 acres) - This lightning-caused fire was
reported on September 10th. The fire is located near the
Firehole River and burning along the trail into Fairy Falls.
The fire is bounded by 1988 burned areas and does not pose any
threat to the roadway from Old Faithful to Madison.
o Stone fire (130 acres) - Also started by lightning, this fire
was reported on August 16th. It is located northeast of
Fishing Bridge. No new fire activity has been noted. The fire
will continue to be monitored.
o Falcon fire (3,760 acres - 720 within the park) - The fire
originated on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in a
wilderness area. It burned into Yellowstone National Park on
August 19th on the ridge above Lynx Creek and spotted into the
1988 Mink Creek burn. No new activity or smoke has been
observed on the fire for over three weeks; no additional
reports will be issued on this fire unless there is new
activity.
Glacier NP (MT) -Mop-up and rehabilitation continue on the Moose fire
(71,000 acres, 82% contained). Current commitment: Type 2 team, 430
FF/OH (including eight crews), 16 engines, and three helicopters.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 10/1]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Deputy Director - Last Thursday's Morning Report contained an entry
regarding the appointment of Donald Murphy as the new deputy director.
This has caused some confusion in the field, since not everyone is yet
aware that there are two deputies, as required by law (Omnibus Parks
and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, PL 104-333). In current
practice, one is appointed and the other is career. Denis Galvin
continues to serve as the career deputy; he has indicated that he will
retire some time before the end of the year, and his position is
currently being advertised. Donald Murphy will occupy the deputy slot
vacated by Jackie Lowey last January. [Dave Barna and Don Hellman,
WASO]
Resource Protection Accomplishments - During the upcoming Ranger
Rendezvous, there will be a workshop that explores the ranger's role
in resource protection. Examples of efforts that are occurring around
the NPS by protection rangers and resource managers working to protect
park resources will be highlighted as part of the session. If there
are accomplishments in your park that you would like highlighted -
innovative techniques, methods, and programs for detecting,
investigating, monitoring, preventing, mitigating or prosecuting
resource impacts or crimes - contact Jeri Hall at Yosemite via
cc:Mail. This is an opportunity to share the outstanding work that is
occurring in the field with others who may benefit from your
experiences. [Jeri Hall, YOSE]
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
Wednesday, October 3
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Bingaman): Confirmation
hearing for Harold Craig Manson as Assistant Secretary of the Interior
for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. The hearing will be at 9:30 a.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). The hearing will be at 11:00 a.m. in 1324
Longworth.
House Resources Committee (Hansen) - Mark-up of:
o 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.
o H.R. 400 (Hastert, IL), a bill to authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to establish the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
National Historic Site, and for other purposes.
o H.R. ?, the Healing Opportunities in Parks and the Environment
Pass Act.
The hearing will be at 10:30 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.
Thursday, October 4
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public
Lands (Radanovich): Hearing on
o H.R. 38 (Bereuter, NE), a bill to provide for additional lands
to be included within the boundaries of the Homestead National
Monument of America in the State of Nebraska, and for other
purposes.
o H.R. 1925 (Edwards, TX), a bill to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of
designating the Waco Mammoth Site Area in Waco, Texas, as a
unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
The hearing will be at 10:00 a.m. in 1334 Longworth.
Thursday, October 18
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public
Lands (Radanovich): Hearing on:
o H.R. 2234 (Pastor, AZ), a bill to revise the boundary of the
Tumacacori National Historical Park in the State of Arizona.
o H.R. 2748, a bill on cataloging, identifying and locating
memorials and tributes to America's veterans.
Time and location of the hearing TBA.
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.
* * * * *
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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