02-588
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Two Vessel Groundings
A fierce storm early this week contributed to the grounding of two
vessels in the park. On November 11, the Noah's Ark, an 85-foot,
steel-hull shrimp boat, grounded in Camille Cut between East and West
Ship Islands. The captain was able to remove the vessel with the
assistance of the crew of another shrimp boat. During the early morning
hours of November 13, the Captain Tam, a 65-foot, fiberglass-hull
shrimp boat, grounded in some of the best seagrass habitat in the park
on the north side of Petit Bois Island. The 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel
on board are being transferred to another boat, and a containment boom
has been placed around the vessel. The NPS is working closely with the
Coast Guard to monitor the situation, ensure that the vessel is removed,
and perform resource damage assessments.
[Submitted by Chief
Ranger's Office]
02-589
Obed Wild & Scenic River (TN)
Numerous Tornadoes Strike Near Park; Staff Provides Assistance
A series of tornadoes touched down in Morgan County around 8:30 p.m.
on the evening of November 10, inflicting serious damage on the small
communities of Mosey Grove and Petro-Joyner. More than 35 homes were
destroyed and seven people were killed. Seasonal ranger Kim Williams and
her husband, park VIP Mike Williams, lost his father and paternal
grandmother to the storm. Park personnel assisted with rescue and
cleanup efforts. No damage was done to either park resources or
facilities.
[Submitted by Kris Stoehr, Unit Manager]
02-590
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
Extended Search; Suicide
On November 4, ranger Kevin Moore contacted K.B., 34, of
Tooele, Utah, in the park's Needles District. Moore issued K.B. a
warning for speeding after stopping him in the Squaw Flats Campground.
The following day, rangers found K.B.'s truck parked at the Elephant
Hill trailhead. A search of backcountry permits revealed that his
vehicle was not associated with a permit, although K.B. had visited the
park previously. An investigation revealed that K.B. had been depressed
and that he had discussed suicide in general terms in the past but had
offered no specific information as to his plans. A search was begun on
November 9, with hasty teams sent out on trails and to other high
probability areas. Deteriorating weather hampered search efforts the
first day and precluded use of a helicopter. The weather conditions
improved on the following day and a helicopter, a Grand County SAR dog
team, and additional searchers were placed in the field. Acting on a
request from park rangers, officers from the Tooele PD entered K.B.'s
unsecured residence. They found numerous firearms and a ten-page note
that discussed his struggle with deteriorating mental illness, specified
his intent to commit suicide in the wilderness, and expressed his fear
that he might harm others. The search dog alerted to a scent in the
Chesler Park area just after noon on November 10. Spotters from the
helicopter located K.B.'s remains a short time later. He apparently
died from a self-inflicted .44 magnum gunshot wound to his head. His
body was removed by helicopter later that day and turned over to the San
Juan County coroner. A second note near the body indicated that K.B.
probably committed suicide the day after he was contacted in the
campground. K.B.'s pack contained a loaded Glock .40 semi-auto pistol
and several knives. Ranger Kevin Moore handled the initial response;
district ranger Richard Perch was IC for the
search.
[Submitted by Peter Fitzmaurice, Chief Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
January 27 - 30: Basic Peer Support Training
FLETC will be sponsoring a basic peer support training class in Phoenix, Arizona, from January 27 to January 30. Peer supporters help their fellow employees deal with "normal reactions to abnormal events." Participants will be taught listening skills and other basic critical incident stress management skills. The announcement closes on December 13.[Submitted by Wiley Golden, FLETC, 912-267-2246]
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
March 3 - 14: Special Operations Training
The course, which will be held in Tucson, Gila Bend and Ajo, Arizona, is for those who are performing special envorcement field duties in terrorism, security, counter-narcotics and anti-poaching operations. The announcement closes on January 13.[Submitted by Wiley Golden, FLETC, 912-267-2246]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Pinnacles National Monument (CA)
GS-0560-7/9 Budget Analyst and GS-0404-5/7/9/11 Botanist
The park has two positions open. The first is for a GS-0560-7/9 budget analyst (PGSO-02-189-MPP and PGSO-02-188-DEU, closes November 29); the second is for a GS-0404-5/7/9/11 botanist (PGSO-02-192-MPP, a DOI-wide announcement, and PGSO-02-192-DEU, closes November 29). No government housing is available. Local communities are Hollister (32 miles north) and King City (28 miles south). For more info, call Lori Frusetta at 831-389-4485 ext. 227.
[Submitted by Lori Frusetta]
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.