Update on Attending Tom O'Hara Memorial Service
Today's Morning Report has been amended and updated to include recently
posted information on attending the memorial service for Tom O'Hara (see
below).
INCIDENTS
99-57/99-401
Yosemite National Park (CA)
C.S. Sentenced to Death for Murders Near Park
On December 12, C.S. was sentenced to die for murdering
C. and J.S. and S.P. near the park in 1999. C.S.
previously pled guilty to the 1999 murder of Yosemite Institute
instructor J.A. in the park. He was sentenced to life without
parole for that murder. Many news stories have appeared on the C.S.
case, conviction and sentencing which do more justice to this story than
can be encapsulated in a brief incident summary. The park recommends a
long article by Stacy Finz that appeared in the San Francisco
Chronicle on December 15 for an account of both the crimes and the
investigation. It can be found at http://www.sfgate.com/stayner/.
Please be forewarned that the story is not a pleasant one. We
are not unmindful of the time of year that this is appearing, and
suggest that you first give some thought about whether or not you need
all this detail.
More Information...
02-639
Katmai National Park & Preserve (AK)
Ranger/Pilot Tom O'Hara Killed in Plane Crash
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Thursday, December 19,
when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His
passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a biologist for the Fish and Wildlife
Service, survived the crash and is hospitalized in Anchorage in stable
condition. The two flew out of King Salmon on Thursday to conduct a
moose tracking survey in Alaska Peninsula NWR. When they failed to
return in accordance with their flight plan, the Rescue Coordination
Center dispatched an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard
UH-60 helicopter to search for them. At first light on Friday, fourteen
single-engine aircraft and a helicopter flew out of King Salmon in
search efforts coordinated by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and
Alaska State Troopers. Most were piloted by volunteers and friends of
Tom, who was a life-long resident of the Bristol Bay area. The crash
site was found late in the afternoon, and Adler was evacuated to Naknek.
A joint investigation is being conducted by state troopers and officials
from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a
pilot in command. He had a dozen years of service as a commercial pilot
in the Bristol area, and had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake
Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of
Interior agencies. Tom was a dedicated employee, son, husband, father,
and community member. His passions were his family, flying, and
stewardship of the resources and lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was
active in his community of Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was
the assistant wrestling coach for the junior high and high school team,
and was active in his church at all levels, most notably flying children
to bible camps. His co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant.
He provided a strong link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the
National Park Service which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife,
Lucy, and their three young children. Memorial services in celebration
of his extraordinary life will be held on Friday, December 27, in
Naknek. His family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a
memorial fund in Tom's name for his children. Donations can be made to
Tom O'Hara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch,
Account # 5198027038, Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be
sent to Lucy O'Hara, PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request
of the family, uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive
equipment is to be worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress,
with outer wear recommended.
UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST,
12/23
The following message has been issued by
Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral:
"Last
week, the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in
the line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a
protection ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and
Preserve.
"Arrangements are being made to have former Katmai
National Park and Preserve employees, who are also close family friends,
represent all of the regions at the memorial service in Alaska. To date,
this involves employees currently located in the Pacific West,
Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am authorizing their attendance
using regional funds. In addition, each park in the Alaska region will
be represented. If additional employees of the National Park Service
wish to attend, please contact Karen Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for
information on what commercial air services might be available. It is
anticipated that there may be transportation logistical
difficulties.
"Additional details, including an address for
condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in
InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's
family, the park, and the National Park Service
family."
[Submitted by Joe Fowler]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Several Permanent GS-9 Ranger Positions
The park is seeking candidates for several permanent GS-9 ranger positions. Yosemite is one of the most complex and busiest parks in the National Park Service. In 2001, Yosemite rangers handled hundreds of criminal cases (ranging from felonious assaults to major resource violations), nearly 200 search and rescues (many of which were high angle, technical rescues), and hundreds of medical aid calls. Aside from general road patrol duties, rangers have excellent opportunities to be involved in the following programs:
- Horse patrol
- Bike patrol
- Special response team (if qualified)
- Structural/wildland fire
- A multitude of other programs
Positions are available in all three of the park's districts (Valley, Mather, Wawona). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through vacancy announcement YOSE-03-31-IK-MPP (merit promotion), which is currently on USA JOBS (Closes 01/10/03). For candidates without status, an all sources vacancy announcement is pending and should be out on USA Jobs during the next several weeks. For additional information on jobs in the Wawona District, contact Lulis Cuevas at 209-375-9520; in Mather District, contact Dave Lattimore at 209-379-1897; in Valley District, contact Jim Tucker at 209-372-0224.
[Submitted by Cameron Sholly, Deputy Chief Ranger - Operations]
Kings Mountain National Military Park (SC)
GS-9 Protection Ranger
The park is seeking candidates for a permanent GS-9 protection ranger position. The ranger selected for the position will be involved in a wide array of duties, including law enforcement, boundary management, EMS, search and rescue, and various resource management activities. The park has an active fire program with prescribed fire as a major component. The incumbent serves as the park safety officer and as the acting chief ranger in absence of the chief ranger. This position is truly a "traditional ranger" position with many opportunities to gain experience and knowledge in many facets of park operations. The park is located in the piedmont area of South Carolina immediately adjacent to the North Carolina border. The area offers easy access to many cultural and natural areas. This is a required occupancy position; the residence is a recently remodeled "Mission 66" house. The position is currently advertised on USA Jobs and closes on December 27. The announcement number is SESO-03-18. For further information, please contact chief ranger Chris Revels at 864-936-7921.
[Submitted by Chris Revels, Chief Ranger]
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.