02-523
Cape Krusenstern National Monument (AK)
Follow-up on Barge Grounding
A fierce autumn storm accompanied by 60-knot winds and rough seas
struck northwest Alaska late on the night of Monday, October 7. The
Kivalina, a 274-foot Foss Maritime barge, broke away from its tug
during heavy seas of between 18 and 20 feet and grounded on to the
gravel beach of Cape Krusenstern on Tuesday morning. A salvage team
refloated the barge late on October 10 by pressurizing the voids with
air from compressors and stabilizing it enough for transport. It was
towed to an offshore mooring buoy, where divers inspected the hull for
structural damage. Repairs were then made. The Coast Guard confirmed
that no gas or oil escaped from the barge, and commended the salvage
team for its excellent work. This was the first instance in which an
agency cultural resources specialist was appointed to protect cultural
resources from a spill or threat of a spill under a new interagency
programmatic agreement between the Coast Guard and NPS. NPS archeologist
Steve Klinger was commended by the Coast Guard and DOI for his
contribution to the successful recovery effort, which entailed only
minimal environmental impacts.
[Submitted by Maureen Nolan,
Acting Chief Ranger]
02-539
Gateway National Recreation Area
Tropical Storm Kyle Causes Major Power Outage
Heavy rains and winds associated with Tropical Storm Kyle caused a
major electrical power outage to occur at Fort Wadsworth in the Staten
Island Unit on October 10. The storm damaged the high voltage
distribution and breaker panel and the primary electrical feeder cable
which supplies power to the northern tier of that unit. The outage
affected numerous park facilities as well as park tenants and
cooperators, including headquarters, USPP facilities, the park visitor
center, park and Coast Guard housing units, and the Coast Guard
headquarters and associated facilities. Maintenance crews from the
Staten Island and Jamaica Bay Units responded immediately and worked
around the clock to restore temporary power to the entire site. Ten
generators, ranging in capacity from 100 to 500 kV, were rented. Efforts
are underway to make permanent repairs.
[Submitted by José F.
Rosario, Chief Ranger]
02-540
Biscayne National Park (FL)
Columbus Day Weekend Boating Accidents
The annual Columbus Day weekend boating regattas and associated
events brought thousands of boats to the park, all of them anchoring
within a one square mile area. As is normally the case, the weekend was
characterized by significant amounts of drinking and a fair amount of
nudity and lewd and lascivious acts. There were also two significant
boating accidents. The first occurred on October 12 near Stiltsville and
involved three boats. One boat had engine problems and was being towed
by the second when the third sideswiped it, went airborne, and landed on
the transom and a passenger in the left rear of the first boat. The
third boat then capsized and its two occupants fell into the ocean.
There were four injuries. Miami Dade Fire and Rescue handled the rescue.
On the next day, kayakers found a 28-foot Donzi about 55 feet up into a
grove of mangroves with a body on board. The victim was pinned between
the console and leaning post. There were indications that there had been
two or three other occupants, but none of them were found in the area.
The body of one of the occupants was found the next morning about three
miles from the accident scene. Neither had been identified at the time
of the report.
[Submitted by Holly Rife, Chief Ranger ]
02-541
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Assist: Rescue from San Francisco Peaks
On the evening of October 8, the park received a call from the
Coconino County Sheriff's Office, asking for help in rescuing an injured
climber from Fremont Peak in the San Francisco Mountains near Flagstaff.
While descending from a climb of the 11,969-foot peak, the 41-year-old
man fell and sustained a leg injury thought to be a fracture. The
accident site was about a thousand feet below the summit. Before night
fell, an Arizona DPS helicopter had flown to the mountain, but the pilot
found that it lacked sufficient power for a short-haul rescue at that
altitude. The alternative plan was to have county SAR personnel climb to
the site and stay with the victim until morning; at first light, the
twin-engine park helicopter, more powerful than the DPS helicopter,
would make s short-haul rescue from the steep, wooded terrain. During
the night, though, rescuers belayed the patient a thousand feet to a
meadow on the south side of the peak that would serve as a helispot. The
park helicopter - piloted by Eddie Thoroughgood with helicopter manager
Mark Murray and paramedic KJ Glover on board - landed on the mountain,
picked up the man, and flew him to the Flagstaff Medical Center.
[Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
02-542
Big Bend National Park (TX)
Rescue of Stranded Hiker
Park employees rescued a hiker stranded on a cliff face in the Chisos
Mountains on Friday, October 4. J.W., a Forever Resorts
concession employee, made a day hike to the Oak Springs area on October
2, then attempted a return to the basin via a cross-country route over
Vernon Bailey Peak. J.W. ran out of daylight and water that evening,
then attempted to descend the rocky and steep south side of the peak on
the following morning. Tired and out of water, J.W. stopped several
hundred feet above the Window Trail. At 9 p.m. that evening, campers in
the Basin saw J.W.'s flashlight beam and heard his calls for help.
Rangers were contacted through a 911 call and were able to make voice
contact with the stranded hiker at 1 a.m. J.W. was advised to stay
where he was, and was told that rescuers would attempt to reach him at
daylight. Thirty rescuers, including six volunteer climbers from the
Voyager Outward Bound School in Redford, Texas, began the technical
rescue attempt on the morning of October 4. A helicopter was called in
from the Border Patrol, but the mission was cancelled due to the steep
terrain and high winds. At 3:30 p.m., rescuers reached J.W., who was
in an area of cliffs, ledges, and loose rock. He was tired, dehydrated,
and had suffered minor injuries after sliding 30 feet down a slope and
striking his head. In spite of his ordeal, J.W. was able to walk out
under his own power after being safely lowered by rope to level ground
about sunset. Mark Spier was IC.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's
Office]
02-542
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Rescue of Heart Attack Victim
A 68-year-old man suffered a heart attack outside the El Tovar Hotel
on the morning of October 8. Rangers were on scene immediately,
including Norah Martinez, IEMT Dirk Murphy, EMT Colleen Dunleavy, EMT
Bonnie Taylor, and paramedics KJ Glover and Ken Phillips. An AED was
used to deliver one shock before the ambulance arrived. The man then
went into non-shockable rhythm (pulseless electrical activity), so CPR
and other advanced life support measures were begun. After four minutes,
he developed a pulse and resumed breathing on his own. He was then flown
to Flagstaff Medical Center for further treatment.
[Submitted
by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Park Fire Situation
On October 16, crews completed ignitions on the Tar Gap Rx Fire in the Mineral King area. The project was begun on October 10, but halted for four days during the period to await better smoke dispersal conditions. The fire will continue to burn slowly over the next few weeks.
[Submitted by Jody Lyle, Fire Information Officer]
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Park Fire Situation
The Gin Flat Rx Fire was begun on September 27. As of last Thursday, 2,669 acres had burned. Managers and crews were employing bucket drops and fire lines to control fires spread and thereby reduce the amount of smoke, as requested by the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District. Presentations on the fire are being made to school groups in partnership with the Yosemite Institute. The classes have been designed to stimulate interest in forest and fire ecology. Another seven lightning-caused fires, all started in July, are being allowed to burn for resource benefits in the park's high country. Together, they've burned just over 1,600 acres. Fire activity continues to be low.
[Submitted by Prescribed Fire Office]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Park Tests New Animal Detection System
An experimental animal detection system that warns travelers about wildlife approaching a roadway is scheduled to be installed on a section of U.S. Highway 191 (between mileposts 28-29 in the Black Butte area) in Yellowstone National Park beginning Tuesday, October 22, 2002, through November 15, 2002.
The system was designed by the Western Transportation Institute (Montana State University) and Sensor Technologies and Systems, Inc.
This is part of a two-year study funded by 15 state Departments of Transportation, including the Montana Department of Transportation, to look at ways to reduce and mitigate the impacts (human injuries/fatalities, wildlife injuries/fatalities, property damage) associated with animal-vehicle collisions.
With the prototype system, as wildlife approach the roadway in the study area, a continuous radar beam is broken and flashing lights on warning signs are activated, warning drivers of the possible presence of wildlife. The system is only activated by large wildlife like bison, elk, deer, and moose.
[Submitted by Public Affairs]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Big Bend National Park (TX)
GS-025-7/9 Ranger Positions
The park is currently recruiting for several GS-025-7/9 park ranger positions for various locations throughout the park. The positions are covered by 6(c). Big Bend is a park that offers employees a wide range of traditional ranger duties and experiences. Those selected will be actively involved in law enforcement, resource protection and the full range of emergency services. The park has a structural fire program with two engines, a FIREPRO wildland fire program with three engines, an EMT/park medic EMS program with ambulance, a technical rescue and ground search SAR program, a dispatch center, and river, horseback and aviation patrols. Rangers are involved in multi-agency drug and alien smuggling operations and also have ample opportunity for more traditional law enforcement and resource protection experiences. The park, while isolated, maintains a strong community atmosphere and offers a diverse and rich family experience. The vacancies are currently advertised on USA Jobs, and close on November 4. For further information, contact chief ranger Todd Brindle at 915-477-1180.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's Office]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.