Editor's Desk
Today's Issue
Today's issue consists of most of the entries that appeared in the Morning Report between Christmas and New Years, when many of you were on leave...
INCIDENTS
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Lost Hiker Rescued After Nearly Four Days Lying In Snow
On Saturday, December 18th, D.D., 62, of Knoxville, left his vehicle at Cosby Campground and began a hike up the Appalachian Trail to Tricorner Knob, a distance of more than eleven miles. On Tuesday morning, three days later, Sevier County dispatch center picked up a 911 cell phone call from D.D.; although the call was broken, he sounded distressed and the dispatcher was able to make out the words "Appalachian Trail," "frostbite," and "fall." The 911 center employed a data triangulation procedure to obtain the coordinates from which D.D. had called. They revealed that he was in the park between Greenbrier and Cosby, but about three miles north of the Appalachian Trail. A hasty search of the Maddron Bald and Old Settlers trails was conducted immediately, but no sign of D.D. was found. The number of trails in the area made it very hard to determine just where he was located. Around 10 p.m., three hikers returned to the vehicle at Cosby Campground, contacted rangers, and advised that they'd come across D.D. on the AT near Inadu Gap. He had severe frostbite and was hypothermic. When they left him, he was only semi-conscious. Although he had very little food, water or gear with him, he was inside a sleeping bag and lying on a foam pad. Preparations were made throughout the night to rescue D.D.. At 4 a.m., a hasty team comprised of rangers Pat Patten, Gene Wesloh, and park medic Joe Pond began hiking to D.D. with the objective of stabilizing him until he could be flown or carried out. Two Tennessee National Guard helicopters — one with hoist capabilities — were launched at 8:30 a.m. Sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph forced a halt to this operation after the first attempt to extract him. A litter evacuation team comprised of NPS and state park employees hiked to D.D. and carried him six miles out on the Snake Den Ridge trail. A winter storm warning was in effect, calling for precipitation and high winds, and it had begun to rain at lower elevations and spit snow at higher elevations, increasing the urgency of the rescue. At 9:30 p.m., the litter team reached the trailhead at Cosby Campground and D.D. was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center by a LifeStar medical helicopter. During the period between December 18th and 21st, temperatures ranged from a high of 33 to a low of — 14 degrees. A snow storm on December 20th dropped an additional 10 inches of new snow, making a total of 25 inches of snow on the ground. D.D. laid in the snow in frigid conditions for three-and-a-half days before being rescued. D.D. was treated at the hospital for hypothermia, severe frostbite of both hands, and moderate frostbite of the feet. In interviews, D.D. told rangers that he'd lost the trail on the 18th due to deep and blowing snow, then had slipped and fallen down a steep embankment and had been unable to get back to his feet. [Submitted by Rick Brown, District Ranger]
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Assault on Rangers
Ranger Ryan Parr stopped a GMC pickup in the park on the evening of December 13th and warned the driver about speeding. When Parr asked him if he had any guns, alcohol or drugs in the truck, the driver told him that his passenger had some beer with him. Parr asked the man — later identified as R.R. — for identification, but R.R. replied that he had none. Ranger Jay Drinkwater, who'd joined Parr, asked R.R. for his name and date of birth so that an identification check could be made. The name and DOB that R.R. provided came back from dispatch as not on file, at which point R.R. admitted that he had lied about his identity. When Parr attempted to arrest him, R.R. fled. He ran behind a bank and attempted to jump over a fence, but Drinkwater caught up with him and pulled him off the fence. Parr saw R.R. reach his right hand into his waistband and struck him on his right thigh with his expandable baton. All three men then fell to the ground. R.R. reached up and grabbed Parr's baton, but Parr twisted it from his grip and threw it out of reach. R.R.'s hand then returned to his waistband despite repeated commands to stop resisting. Parr and Drinkwater employed a number of control techniques to remove R.R.'s hands from his waistband and handcuff him. Both Parr and Drinkwater were injured during the fight, but x-rays revealed no broken bones and both were released from the hospital that same night. R.R. was eventually identified through AFIS (automated fingerprint identification system) and found to have an outstanding felony warrant against him from Louisiana. He had also just escaped from prison in Mississippi. R.R. was charged with aggravated battery on law enforcement officers, resisting officers with violence, obstruction, false information, depriving an officer of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of cocaine. It appears that R.R. was reaching toward his waistband in an effort to find and dispose of a prescription drug container, but the container had fallen out during the chase. [Submitted by J.D. Lee, Chief Ranger]
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (WV)
Historic Jefferson Rock Vandalized
Sometime on the evening of December 21st or the early morning of December 22nd, vandals coated historic Jefferson Rock with red paint and also painted graffiti on surrounding rocks. Jefferson Rock, one of the most significant natural and cultural resources in the park, is in fact a collection of unusual shale boulders balanced above the Shenandoah River — a formation that attracted Thomas Jefferson's attention during his visit to the area in 1783. When Jefferson reached the rocks, he gained a stunning view of the water gap through the Blue Ridge, inspiring him to write that the scenery was "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." Each years, thousands of park visitors trek to the rock for that same view. The rock is on the National Register of Historic Places. The act of vandalism is the worst case of damage to a cultural resource in the park's 60-year history. A conservator from Harpers Ferry Center has assessed the damage and provided guidance on appropriate methods for removing the paint without further damaging the landmark. Rangers are aggressively pursuing leads in the case with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Harper's Ferry PD. Cleanup of the site is underway. [Submitted by Jennifer Flynn, Chief Ranger]
Sitka National Historical Park (AK)
Windstorm Inflicts Damage On Park
Winds that blew up to nearly 80 mph caused serious damage to the park and surrounding area on December 16th and 17th. The windstorm downed trees, caused power outages and fires, blocked streets, and blew roofs off buildings throughout the city. An airplane at the city airport flipped over and boats in the harbor were swamped. A floating dock with boats and a float plane moored to it was also set adrift. An area that sustained major damage was the Frontier Mall, where the park's maintenance chops are located in a facility leased from GSA. Over 50 feet of metal roofing was peeled from the building, but the shops were undamaged. The park closed its trails early on the morning of the 17th, as per established emergency operations protocol, and moved into ICS mode by mid-morning. Contingency plans were set into motion for dealing with building damage, which did not occur despite sustained winds of up to 50 mph throughout the day. Only two park-owned structures were hit by trees and neither was seriously damaged. About 30 trees with diameters of up to 30 inches fell in the park, with the Russian Memorial area hardest hit. Spruce trees up to 80 feet tall were totally uprooted and numerous limbs fell. Some trails were cleared and opened by the afternoon of the 17th, but other parts of the trail system will remain closed until downed trees and other hazards are removed. A contract tree service will likely be used to remove some of these trees and hazards. Neither the restored 1843 Russian Bishop's House (an NHL) nor the adjacent 1890s old school building were damaged, despite their open location across from the harbor. No park visitors or staff were injured, but one employee lost his boat, which sank in its harbor slip. [Submitted by Clair Roberts, Chief Ranger]
Olympic National Park (WA)
Divers Investigate 1929 Auto Accident
On December 6th, divers recovered human remains in Lake Crescent near the site of an auto accident that occurred 75 years ago. They may be the remains of R. and B.W., who disappeared in 1929 while on their way home to the Bogachiel Valley from Port Angeles. Investigators at the time suspected that their car may have been lost in Lake Crescent, but confirmation was slow in coming. The car was finally found in April, 2002, in over 170 feet of water about four miles west of Barnes Point on Lake Crescent. The remains were discovered last May, at which time the park closed the area until a survey and recovery operation could be completed. Three archeologists from the NPS Submerged Resources Center and Olympic staff divers mapped and documented the skeletal remains and the area around the vehicle, then retrieved the remains, some as deep as 190 feet. An analysis will be conducted to determine identity. [Submitted by Kevin Hendricks and Barb Maynes]
Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
Climber Sustains Fatal Injuries in Fall
On December 15th, D.M., 31, of Golden, British Columbia, was lead climbing "Walk on the Wildside" when he went off-route and worked his way to another route to his right. The route he was climbing is rated at a 5.7 (on a 6.0 scale), but turned to a 5.10 when he went off-route. D.M. lost his footing and fell backwards, striking his head as he fell approximately 60 feet before his belay line caught. He was not wearing a climbing helmet and suffered severe head injuries. Park staff and members of the JOSAR volunteer SAR team responded and conducted a low angle belay down a talus field. D.M. was flown to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he succumbed to his head injuries on December 17th. Jeff Ohlfs was IC. [Submitted by Dan Messaros, Lost Horse District Ranger]
Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
Injured Climber Rescued
J.L., 23, of Berkeley, California, was free climbing the North Overhang at Intersection Rock on December 18th when he lost his grip and fell 70 feet to a ledge, where he landed in a sitting position with his back facing the edge of the ledge. As he attempted to move, he fell an additional 40 feet to the ground. Ranger Heather Stephens and JOSAR volunteers responded. J.L. was medevaced to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. He sustained broken bones and head injuries (he was not wearing a helmet) but is expected to survive. Dan Messaros was IC. [Submitted by Dan Messaros, Lost Horse District Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
This listing is updated every Friday (early this week due to the holiday). It is not meant to replace any of the various training center calendars — just to augment them and provide a heads-up on new training courses. Please submit information to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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January 16 — January 23
Wilderness First Responder, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. A 76-hour course hosted by the institute and taught by Roane State Community College. Classes run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The curriculum meets Tennessee, DOT and NREMT standards, with emphasis on the wilderness setting. The course is highly recommended by staff at Great Smokies. The cost is $526 for NPS personnel ($730 for others) and includes meals and lodging. Books are extra, for more information, contact the institute at 865-448-6709 or check the website at http://www.gsmit.org/Programs/schedule.html .
January 21 — January 23
EMT Refresher, Mojave NP, Needles, CA. Standard DOT/NREMT course. Tuition is $150. Closes on January 10th. Contact coordinator Shane Littlefield (760-928-2573 or 760-885-1004, or Shane_Littlefield@nps.gov).
January 24 — January 28
CISM/Peer Support, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. The class is open to all employees interested in critical incident stress management and peer support. Peer support is a collateral, volunteer duty. Peer supporters are interested in helping fellow employees deal with normal reactions to abnormal incidents that they may encounter in the workplaces as a result of job-related duties. Please complete the application, nomination and supervisors approval letter found at the web site below and submit to Pat Buccello via secure fax at 202-371-5148. For more info, call Pam McMillan at 209-375-9520 ext 230. Web site: http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewtrainingarticle&type=Conferences&id=784
February 15 — February 16
SIGARMS Academy Pistol Armorer Course, Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Gatlinburg, TN. Interested individuals will need to register and pay directly through the SIGARMS Academy by February 1st. The course number is 05-AC-06F. Tuition is $350. The course is limited to a maximum of 30 students. For additional information, contact Scott Kalna at 865-430-0343 or Scott_Kalna@nps.gov.
February 18 — February 20
Wilderness First Responder Refresher, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. A 20-hour refresher course hosted by the institute and taught by Roane State Community College. Classes run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The curriculum meets Tennessee, DOT and NREMT standards, with emphasis on the wilderness setting. The cost is $256 for NPS personnel ($305 for others) and includes meals and lodging. Books are extra, for more information, contact the institute at 865-448-6709 or check the website at http://www.gsmit.org/Programs/schedule.html .
February 28 — March 11
Special Operations Training (SEOPS), Tucson, Gila Bend and Ajo, AZ. This session is designed for personnel who are directly involved in special law enforcement operations in the National Park Service. Its intended for those who are actually performing special enforcement field duties related to terrorism and security, counter-narcotics and anti-poaching operations. Closes on January 7th. For a copy of the announcement, go to
http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/specops.doc
February 28 — March 11
Seized Computers and Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS-501), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Course on how computer data is created, stored, modified and manipulated. Students will access and extract evidence from computers. Closes on January 19th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/scers501.doc
March 1 — March 3
Situational Leadership II (SLTP-503), FLETC, Glynco, GA. The course teaches the leadership model developed by Dr. Ken Blanchard, which has been customized for law enforcement leaders and managers. Closes on January 27th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/sltp503.doc
March 8 — May 23
Criminal Investigator Training (CITP-521Z), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Basic criminal investigator training. Closes on February 1st. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/CITP-521Z.doc
March 14 — March 18
Vehicle Ambush Countermeasures (VACTP-503), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Training for experienced drivers on the tactics and skills needed to protect dignitaries during vehicle ambushes and assassination attempts. Closes on February 3rd. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/vactp503.doc
March 22 — June 7
Criminal Investigator Training (CITP-523X), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Basic criminal investigator training. Closes on February 8th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/CITP-523X.doc
March 29 — March 30
Communicating Critical Air Resource Issues in National Parks, Dallas, TX. The workshop will focus on bringing air quality specialists and resource managers together with interpreters and educators to collaborate on efforts on conveying complex air quality issues to the public. Experienced park interpreters, air quality educators, research scientists and academic scholars will speak about several important topics, including climate change, ecological effects of air pollution, air quality and visibility, and the night sky. Participants will also benefit from, and contribute to, a library of curriculum examples and lesson plans that will be accessible for further reference at a later date. The workshop will precede the National Science Teacher's Association Convention (March 31st to April 3rd). To enable NPS employees to attend this training, the Air Resources Division will reimburse the employee's home park for personnel services up to $750 for each participant attending the workshop. However, it will be the park's requirement to pay for all travel costs associated with their employee attending this workshop. For more information, contact Nina Roberts at 970-267-2115 or Nina_Roberts@nps.gov or go to http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/ConfMeet/AIRworkshop.pdf
March, 2005 — March 2007
Preservation and Skills Training, various NPS sites. The Preservation and Skills Training (PAST) program is a two-year, competency-based, trade and preservation skills development training program. Slots are available for both trainees (WG 3-7 maintenance employees who maintain or repair historic structures) and for mentors (GS-9 or WG/WL/WS-9 or above). There are 16 slots for the former, eight for the latter. Register at http://mylearning.nps.gov — "Search Catalog" for 'preservation,' click on the "Catalog Item Title" to see details, then "View Events" to "Apply." For more detailed information, contact dorothy_printup@nps.gov.
Servicewide
Upcoming Conference/Meetings Calendar
This listing is updated every Friday (early this week due to the holiday). Please submit information to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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February 8 — February 10
Seventeenth Annual Conservation Law Enforcement Conference, Prescott, Arizona.
This year's conference will include a competition pistol shoot on the afternoon of February 8th. The training over the following two days will include 16 hours of AZPOST-certified training. For further information, got to www.azclea.org.
March 6 — 10
Annual Convention, Association of Partners for Public Lands, Portland, Oregon.
The theme for this year's convention, Portland Pathways, was selected "to move us forward along our lines of learning and commitment to an increasingly connected systems of parks, forests, refuges, waters, open spaces and historic places." Basic registration is open through January 10th, regular through February 18th, and late thorough March 5th. For more information, call APPL at 301-946-9475 or go to http://www.appl.org
March 14 — 18
George Wright Society Biennial Conference on Parks, Protected Areas and Cultural Sites, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The theme of this year's convention is People, Places and Parks: Preservation for Future Generations. Proposals are being accepted in all areas of natural and cultural resources. Details on the conference can be found at http://www.georgewright.org/2005.html. For further information, contact the society at 1-906-487-9722, or via conferences@georgewright.org.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
GS-025-11 Lead Park Ranger
The park is currently advertising for a GS-025-11 lead park ranger in the park's Florida District. The position is open to NPS employees and CTAP eligibles.The announcement number for this position is GUIS 05-01; it closes on January 10th. The announcement may be viewed at www.usajobs.opm.gov.
[Submitted by Dennis Billups]Eastern National
Eastern National President Recovering From Surgery
Chesley Moroz, president of Eastern National, a cooperating association that operates in more than 130 national parks and other public trusts, is currently recovering from recent cancer surgery at Doylestown Hospital in Doylestown Pennsylvania. She expects to be released from the hospital within ten days and return to her home in Warminster, where she will continue with her recovery. During her absence, Jack Ryan, controller for Eastern National, has been designated to act on her behalf. Those wishing to send Chesley cards or letters of support can send them to her care of Eastern National, 470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1, Fort Washington, PA 19034. [Submitted by Dennis Reidenbach, Deputy Superintendent, Independence NHP]
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.