NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

INCIDENTS

Harpers Ferry NHP

Three Rangers Injured In Head-on Collision

Three Harpers Ferry rangers - Mark Howard, Kimberly Morris-Ropp and Jeremy Murphy - were en route to federal magistrate's court in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on the morning of August 9th when a Mercury Sable traveling in the opposite lane crossed over the center line and struck their Ford Crown Victoria head on. Despite the damage caused to the vehicle, the rangers were spared serious injuries because all were wearing seatbelts and because both front seat air bags deployed. The rangers were unable to open any of the Ford's doors, but were able to kick out a window and get out of the car. A fire was detected in what was left of the engine compartment. As local EMS and fire arrived on scene, the rangers were in the process of attempting to aid the driver of the Mercury, who was also spared from serious injury. Ambulances transported all four to City Hospital in Martinsburg, where they were treated and released. The rangers are reported doing well but “feeling pretty beat up.” They will be on leave for a few days. Says chief ranger Jennifer Flynn: “We are feeling very lucky based on the condition of the vehicle that their injuries were not more severe. They were driving a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria that was about two months old.” The accident investigation is being conducted by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department. Ranger Josh Cunningham of C&O Canal is investigating for the NPS. [Jennifer Flynn, Chief Ranger]

Cumberland Gap NHP

Man Sentenced For Threatening To Murder Rangers

Rangers Greg Mullin and Karen Bradford arrested D.V. last October 3rd for driving under the influence, aggravated DUI, resisting arrest and wanton endangerment following a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles. During the arrest, D.V. resisted and had to be physically overpowered and restrained. As he was being transported to jail, he repeatedly made murder threats against both rangers. The U.S. Attorney's Office decided to charge D.V. with interfering with an agency function by resisting arrest and with two counts of threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer. On March 3rd, D.V. was convicted in federal court on all three charges, with an aggravating circumstance of threatening to murder both Mullin and Bradford. On August 4th, D.V. was sentenced to six years and eight months in federal prison for threatening to murder the two rangers and for several other violations. D.V.'s criminal history includes two convictions for vehicular manslaughter, five DUI's, and numerous incidents of resisting arrest. D.V.'s toxicology report indicated that he had a BAC of .330 when the rangers arrested him. [Charlie Chadwell, Chief Ranger]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

NIFC remains at PL 3. Twenty-one national and state teams and 323 crews are currently committed. Fifteen states are reporting very high to extreme fire indices.

Individual fire entries for today for the National Park Service can be obtained at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/fire/news" http://www.nps.gov/fire/news . The full NIFC Incident Management Situation Report for today can be obtained at HYPERLINK "http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf" http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Director/Deputy Directors

Statement By Director Concerning Uniforms On Founder's Day

Director Mainella has issued the following statement on the wearing of the uniform - or alternatives for those not in uniform - on Founder's Day the week after next:

“The National Park Service will celebrate Founder's Day this year on Thursday, August 25, 2005. Our agency has worldwide renown and is known by the gray and green uniform and distinctive Stetson hat. The National Park Service uniform is an identifiable icon that we can all be proud of and our agency is one that stands tall in the eyes of the American people. In recognition of Founder's Day I am inviting all employees in the Washington Office, Regional Offices, and field administrative offices to wear their uniform (if you have one) proudly that day. If you don't have a uniform, I encourage you to wear an NPS pin or an Arrowhead shirt to show your pride. We should all be in our summer uniforms. This is a great way to let everyone know how proud we are to be part of the National Park Service.”

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Nothing today.

JOBS

Mount Rainier NP

GS-025-13 Chief Ranger

Mount Rainier National Park has issued a merit promotion vacancy announcement for the position of chief ranger, currently advertised on USAJOBS (announcement # NPS MORA 2005-45 MPP) and closing August 12th. The position is designated as secondary-administrative under law enforcement retirement provisions and requires a supervisory probationary period for those who have not previously served in a supervisory/managerial probationary period. Primary responsibilities of the position include leadership and management of comprehensive programs in law enforcement, visitor and resource protection, wilderness management, structural and wildland fire operations, trails maintenance, search and rescue, climbing management, aviation, fee collection, communications center operations and special park uses. These programs are implemented through a multi-talented staff of approximately 40 permanent and term employees and 60 seasonal employees. She/he personally participates in law enforcement activities, search and rescues, EMS, structural fire, wildland fire and resource protection duties; sustains cooperative relationships with local, state, federal and tribal partners; and serves as a member of the management team, providing overall direction for management and administration of the park. This is great chief ranger's job working with solid programs in an incredible park. Established in 1899, Mount Rainier is the nation's 5th oldest national park, protecting over 235,600 acres, approximately 97% of which is designated wilderness. An active volcano, the mountain is a dominant feature and one of the most highly recognized in the Pacific Northwest landscape, enjoying an annual visitation of approximately 2 million visitors. The park is located within the Seattle/Tacoma locality pay area. A full range of living options and amenities are available in local communities. For more detailed information on the park, visit our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/mora" www.nps.gov/mora. For more information on the position, contact Randy King, deputy superintendent at 360-569-2211 x 2302, or Patty Klump, human resources officer at x 2363. [Patty Klump]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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