NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, October 30, 2001



                        NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, October 30, 2001

INCIDENTS

01-509 - Fort Necessity NB (PA) - Follow-up: Terrorism Alerts and 
         Threats

The park's visitor center, which was closed on October 20th when a 
small amount of an unidentified white powdery substance was found on 
the floor, reopened on Monday, October 29th. The Allegheny County 
Health Department tested the powder and found no traces of any harmful 
substances. Other areas of the park, including the fort, Mount 
Washington Tavern, the hiking trails and the picnic area, remained 
open during the period, with park rangers providing educational 
programming and orientation at a temporary visitor center. [Joanne 
Hanley, Superintendent, FONE, 10/29]

01-579 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - MVA with Serious Injury 

T.L., an engineer with the Federal Highway Administration, was 
injured when he was struck and dragged by a car near Ox Creek Gap on 
the afternoon of Wednesday, 24th. T.L. was flown to Mission Hospital 
in Asheville, were he was listed in critical condition at the time of 
the report. Ranger Larry Johnson is the case ranger. [John Garrison, 
Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/24]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 2

Initial attack was moderate in the South on Sunday and light 
elsewhere.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in 
Arizona, California and Virginia.

Park Fire Situation

George Washington Memorial Parkway (VA) - The Dead Run fire burned 
about three acres before being contained. Public access to a portion 
of the Potomac Heritage trail has been limited until remaining 
hotspots are extinguished. No homes or structures have been threatened 
by the fire. A joint investigation of the cause is being conducted by 
the Park Police and Fairfax County.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 10/30]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

MSPB Video on Appeals Process - A new video released by the Merit 
Systems Protection Board provides parties to MSPB appeals with a 
useful guide to the board's procedures for hearing and deciding 
appeals. The video, entitled "Introduction to Federal Employee Appeals 
with the Merit Systems Protection Board," is available on videotape 
and on a CD-ROM that includes electronic video files in both Windows 
and Mac formats. The video covers a variety of topics, including:

o       Filing an appeal with MSPB
o       Issuance of an acknowledgement order by the board 
o       Discovery procedures 
o       Pre-hearing submissions by the parties 
o       The pre-hearing conference
o       The hearing
o       Issuance of an initial decision and further appeals rights

Individuals may request a free copy of the tape or CD-ROM by writing 
to the clerk of the board of the MSPB at 1615 M Street, NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20491, or by calling the clerk at 202-653-7200, by 
sending a fax request to 202-653-7130, or by sending an email to 
mspb@mspb.gov. While there is a limit of one free copy per customer, 
agencies may also order supplies of the video through the board's 
contractor, Creative Video of Washington, D.C. at 703-524-1820. 
["FedNews OnLine", via Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

"American Flag Pin," signed on October 29th by Dick Ring, associate 
director, park operations and education, and sent to all regional 
directors. An informational copy follows:

"In observance of the attacks of September 11, 2001, on the World 
Trade Center and the Pentagon, I am authorizing the American Flag pin 
to be worn by all National Park Service employees.  This authorization 
will remain in effect through September 11, 2002.

Uniformed employees may display the pin by wearing it on the uniform 
shirt or jacket, centered ¼" above the name bar.  Non-uniformed 
employees may wear the pin in a similar location or on the lapel.  The 
size of the pin is not to exceed 7/8" square.
 
"I encourage all employees to wear the pin in a display of patriotism 
and to honor the victims and families of these tragic events.  

"The pins may be obtained through V.H. Blackinton and Company for 85 
cents each.  Purchase orders should be faxed to the attention of Rick 
Hall at 508-695-5349.  Reference item #J137, American Flag pin.  They 
will return the call for credit card information.  The pin may be 
viewed on the internet at www.blackinton.com."

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Fort Necessity NB (PA) - The park is looking for a commissioned ranger 
(any grade from GS-5 to GS-11) for a detail not to exceed 120 days. 
Government housing is available and the park will pay for travel costs 
and per diem. The salary account is negotiable. Please submit a short 
resume to Personnel Officer, Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS, 110 
Federal Park Road, Gallitzin, PA 16641. The  fax number is 
814-886-6109. If you have any questions, please contact William 
Lindley at 814-886-6112. [Angela Rivers Ceaser, ALPO]

Virgin Islands NP (VI) - The park is recruiting for a permanent GS-9 
protection ranger. A 22.5% COLA will be added to pay. Relocation 
expenses will be paid and government housing is required.  The 
announcement closes on November 16th. The person selected will perform 
the full range of ranger duties on foot, vehicle and vessel. Please 
refer to USA Jobs for more details on the position or contact Mindy 
Silva at 340-776-6201 ext. 258. [Stephen Clark, VIIS]

Curecanti NRA (CO) - The park is currently recruiting for a GS-11 
district ranger. The vacancy announcement can be found in USA Jobs and 
closes on November 1st. Questions should be directed to chief ranger 
Linda Alick at 970-641-2337 ext. 221. [Linda Alick, CURE]

                            *  *  *  *  *

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

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