Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Recovery of Drowning Victim
On Thursday, June 12th, rangers recovered the body of a 19-year-old
man who drowned in Raymondskill Creek on the afternoon of June 5th.
F.M. of New City, New York, was swimming in the creek above a
40-foot waterfall with three friends, despite signs stating that the
area is closed to swimming and a split-rail fence barrier between the
trail to a viewpoint of the falls and the creek itself. He was caught in
the current and swept over the falls. Rangers had been trying to recover
his body for a week, but the volume of water coming over the falls,
which remained high due to intermittent rain, stymied repeated efforts
to reach him by kayakers and divers. On June 11th, rangers completed the
complicated setup required for the next phase of the recovery effort,
which would have entailed running a boat along a line at the base of the
falls between two fixed anchor points and probing for F.M.'s body.
That operation was about to get underway, when arriving rangers found
that F.M.'s body had surfaced in the pool at the bottom of the falls
sometime during the previous night. The family, which had been on scene
for much of the week, was present when he was brought to shore. An
autopsy will be conducted. The family released a statement to the media,
part of which read as follows: "The family [remained] in constant
contact [through the week] with Ranger Ed Whitaker [IC] and Ranger Sue
Zoccola [family liaison], who provided updated information and an
amazing sense of compassion and determination to returning the body of a
young man to his family, whom they never had the privilege of meeting.
The family would like to thank all the friends and family who have shown
love and support during this tragedy. Furthermore, they would like to
extend their extreme gratitude and thanks to Ranger Whitaker, Ranger
Zoccola, the National Park Service, Northeast Search and Rescue, local
fire and emergency services, and everyone else who has offered help,
risking their lives to find Frank." Marigliano graduated from high
school last year, where he was a varsity athlete in football and track
and field, and had just finished his freshman year at the State
University of New York in Albany. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter
and a eucharistic minister at St. Augustine Church in his hometown of
New City, New York.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen, IO]
Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (AK)
Helicopter Rescue of Heart Attack Victim
G.B., 47, of Orem, Utah, was leading a group of Boy Scouts on
a strenuous hike up the Angels Landing trail on June 11th when he began
experiencing chest and jaw pains around noon. A companion used a cell
phone to call dispatch and a park medic was immediately sent to the
scene. A doctor from Colorado who was on the trail helped stabilize
G.B. until the medic arrived. Because of G.B.'s condition and
location on an exposed section of the trail, a decision was made to call
in the helicopter from Grand Canyon NP to extricate him. The
alternatives were to either set up a rope system to lower G.B. down
from the trail or carry him out by litter, both of which would have
taken too much time. The helicopter arrived on scene just after 3 p.m. A
medic was lowered from the helicopter to G.B.'s location. He was
secured in a harness, then air-lifted along with the medic from Angles
Landing to nearby Zion Lodge. An ambulance picked him up there and took
him to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. Doctor's determined
that he'd suffered an anterior myocardial infarction. His condition was
not known at the time of the report.
[Submitted by David Eaker,
PIO]
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Drowning Near Iceberg Canyon
A group of nine Columbia University medical students flagged down a
passing vessel near Iceberg Canyon on the afternoon of June 11th and
reported that a member of their group had disappeared while swimming and
had not been seen for 30 minutes. D.H., 25, of Vancouver, British
Columbia, had jumped into the lake from a 50-foot cliff, surfaced,
signaled he was fine, then begun swimming back to shore. While en route,
he disappeared from view. Members of the group searched for him in the
lake; when they failed to find him, they contacted dispatch. Members of
the dive team recovered D.H.'s body in 40 feet of water. Kane County SO
is investigating along with the park. Ranger Jason Bauwens was IC for
the incident.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Friday, June 13, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
NIFC reports that there were 137 new fires yesterday. Only two became large fires.
Fire Danger
| State |
6/8 |
6/9 |
6/10 |
6/11 |
6/12 |
6/13 |
| Alaska |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
| Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| California |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
| Colorado |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Oklahoma |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
| Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Utah |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
No watches or warnings have been posted for today.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
6/7 |
6/8 |
6/9 |
6/10 |
6/11 |
6/12 |
6/13 |
| Crews |
69 |
63 |
58 |
52 |
48 |
29 |
47 |
| Engines |
103 |
77 |
48 |
55 |
58 |
46 |
89 |
| Helicopters |
18 |
21 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
14 |
14 |
| Air Tankers |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Overhead |
653 |
643 |
720 |
615 |
700 |
704 |
720 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| AZ |
T2 |
Kvale |
Thomas Fire Apache-Sitgreaves NF |
6,902 |
20% |
UNK |
| NM |
FUM |
Rath |
Dry Lakes Complex Gila NF |
7,800 |
0% |
UNK |
OPERATIONAL NOTES
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
New LE Credential Photograph Requirements
The new NPS law enforcement identification cards have been developed. They require two photographs of each law enforcement ranger or special agent. The original request sent to the field indicated that a passport size photograph could be used. In order to accommodate a smaller identification holder that will fit into the pocket, however, it's been determined that the photograph cannot be the 2 x 2 inch passport size. Parks that submitted the passport-size photos need to submit smaller photos. The following are the necessary requirements for the photographs:
- Color digital or other type photos on quality paper to ensure good definition.
- Size should be 1½ x 1½ inches.
- Park rangers will wear a uniform shirt with tie. The background on the photo should be white.
- Special agents will wear a civilian coat and tie. The background on the photo should be red.
The credentials are being ordered, so please get your photos in as soon as possible. The photographs near to be sent to Jennifer Martin, NPS- FLETC, Building 64, Room 213, Glynco, GA. 31524. Any questions should be directed to either Bob Reid at 912-261-3758 or Jennifer at 912-267-3554.
[Submitted by Bob Reid]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Channel Islands National Park
Passing of Park Dispatcher Fred Rodriguez
Loss of a Friend—Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park has lost a one of a kind person, a man with an intuitive sense of how to bring a smile to your face. Park Dispatcher Fred Rodriguez passed away in the early morning of Friday, June 6 in Oxnard, CA after battling cancer for over a year.
A distinguished Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Alfred "Fred" Rodriguez began his career with Channel Islands National Park in May 1989, working as a temporary Maintenance Worker. He soon was offered a permanent position and became Park Dispatcher in November the same year. In April, 1995, he was promoted to Maintenance Worker and in this position he worked on all five of the park islands. After returning to the Park Dispatch position in January 1999, Fred embodied the spirit of the park, always kind, friendly and responsive. His cheerful demeanor on the park radio at morning report set a positive tone which island staff grew to rely upon to start their day.
Fred had a gift for finding the humor in any situation, and often laughed hardest at himself. At the park, he played many roles; he was Santa Claus at Christmas, the golden voice on the radio, and a friend to all. Beneath his jovial manner was a warmth and compassion for others that brought our park community together.
Back in 1996, Fred was the park's Trails Foreman. In May he spent a week alone on San Miguel working on the trails, completing the water system for the new ranger station, and reflecting on life. San Miguel is the most remote and isolated island in the park, situated over 50 miles from the mainland coast, and boasts of spectacular displays of wildlife. In the log entry below, you will gain a sense of Fred and his many facets and understand why his fellow employees, and partners, and their families and friends feel so honored to have known him the past 14 years:
6 May 96
Great Day. Little wind. Unlimited vis. No Boats- 2 Peregrines, 2 Red Tails, No Fox! 8-Days alone on this island and not one (1), pinche fox. Oh well... Speaking of well, checked it once today. Runs smooth.
Worked the remainder of "Lupine Valley" today. Damn! didn't I just clear that 2 - 3 months ago? Huge brush + weed growth. Made a small dent. I lost the trail a couple of times, but "winged it" anyway. Last night here after 8-day tour solo... Have to admit I wasn't real happy or looking forward to 8 days! You all know I need to have some form of company. But not even a damn fox.
On a more serious note. Had much time to think & soul search. You see, today's my anniversary with Channel Islands N.P. How ironic! 8 days here alone, starting my 8th year with N.P.S. May 6, 1989--No Direction, No idea where I may be going. etc. These last days have enlightened me to believe a wise decision was made. Ian, you're a lucky man.
Watching a pair of swallow creating a nest just outside your window, displays nature at its best. Not necessarily a determining factor, while I sit here in these "soon to be disposed of" metal boxes, but a positive influence which reinforces that in fact, I made a wise decision; Only the second time in my life...Hope to return again.
Fred Rodriguez
[Submitted by Ulysses Huerta, Ulysses_Huerta@nps.gov, 805 658-5765]
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.