0
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sentencing In Vehicular Homicide Case
On the evening of March 26, 2005, five elderly visitors from Virginia were killed instantly when their vehicle was broadsided near the park's welcome center by one of two vehicles drag-racing on the Foothill Parkway Spur (click on "More Information" for the original report). Just moments before the crash, J.H. of Lebanon, Tennessee, and S.W. of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who were strangers to each other, met at a traffic light in Gatlinburg. They revved their engines and began a 90-mph drag race down the winding stretch of the parkway, which links Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. S.W. was driving in the left lane and was narrowly able to avoid hitting the crossing vehicle by swerving left; J.H. was driving in the right lane and hit the crossing vehicle broadside, instantly killing all five people in the car and injuring himself and his passenger. S.W. fled the scene, but was later identified through a follow-up investigation. Both J.H. and S.W. pled guilty to one count of second degree murder in 2006. In November, Steven Williams was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in federal prison. Last week, Jonathan J.H. was sentenced to 21 years and 8 months in federal prison. According to the federal district judge, "the disparity (in sentencing) arises from the choices and behaviors of the respective defendants both before and after these deaths. J.H. had a history of reckless and drunken driving. Mr. S.W. had no criminal history." The investigation is a result of excellent teamwork between several rangers and special agent Jeff Carlisle. [Submitted by Rick Brown, Assistant Chief Ranger] More Information..
OPERATIONAL NOTES
0
Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
Please submit information on upcoming training courses to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
**********************************************************************************************************
January 5
Facility Manager Leaders Program. Applications for the FY 2007-2008 facility manager leaders program are being accepted through January 5th. This year-long, competency-based program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of NPS career employees and prepare them as leaders in implementing a comprehensive and mature asset management program. It is not an intake program. For details, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1203
January 7 — February 3
Park Medic Training, University Medical Center, Fresno, CA. This course is designed to refresh the student's knowledge of basic life support and to provide instruction in advanced life support, pre-hospital care. Patient care in the remote setting will be emphasized. The course will be taught in three sections: classroom (didactic), clinical (hospital), and field internship (pre-hospital). For additional information, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/ParkMedicTraining2007%2Edoc
January 9 — January 11
M5A Aviation Management Training for Supervisors: Train the Trainer, Boise, ID. This is a 24-hour course for master trainers desiring to instruct the DOI aviation management training for supervisors course. For more information, contact Shad Sitz at 208-433-5092 or go to http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Conferences&id=1186
January 21 — January 28
Wilderness First Responder, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. This course will be taught by Roane State Community College and focuses on the special situations that may develop in the wilderness. Participants will be eligible for national registry and Tennessee state testing upon completion of the program. The course is highly recommended by Great Smoky Mountains NP staff. A discount is offered for NPS personnel but is not listed on the website. For additional information, go to http://www.gsmit.org/adult/wfr.html.
January 23 — January 25
How To Succeed With Volunteers-In-Parks, Lincoln Home NHS, Lincoln, IL. The workshop will focus on skills necessary to develop and maintain a successful VIP program. For more information, call Bettie Blake at 402-661-1638 or go to http://midwest.nps.gov/office/admin/hr/VIP%20Training.doc
January 29 — February 2
Introductory Survival Spanish for Law Enforcement, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, CA. Partners in Training Consultants, Inc., a private Spanish language training firm which specializes in Spanish programs for public safety personnel will be presenting this five-day, forty-hour course at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This class will acquaint law enforcement personnel with Spanish pronunciation, street/slang Spanish, arrest expressions, commands, cultural information, and techniques for gathering information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. Students will be introduced to Spanish grammar as it addresses the needs of the law enforcement ranger. This course is designed for officers with little or no knowledge of the Spanish language. There is no tuition for this training. Travel, lodging and per diem will be the responsibility of the benefiting park. Selection will be based on a first-come, first-served basis and demonstrated needs. To apply, e-mail applications to Sequoia and Kings Canyon LE Ranger Roger Mayo at Roger_Mayo@nps.gov. For more information about Partners in Training, log on to their website http://www.partnersintraining.com/index.htm
January 30 — April 18
Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP-713), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on December 15th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024
February 5 — February 9
Law Enforcement for Managers (LEMTP-701), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Nominations are due by December 20th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024 .
February 13 — February 15
Situational Leadership II (Law Enforcement Version) (SLTP-701), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on December 20th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024
February 13 — February 16
Instructor Techniques For Non-Lethal Training Ammunition Training Program (ITNTA-704), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on December 20th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024
February 23 — February 25
Wilderness First Responder Refresher, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. This program satisfies the requirements for First Responder renewal with NREMT. It serves as an excellent review of wilderness medical information and skills. The program is taught by Roane State Community College. The course is highly recommended by Great Smoky Mountains NP staff. A discount is offered for NPS personnel but is not listed on the website. For additional information, go to http://www.gsmit.org/adult/wfr.html .
February 26 — March 2
Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (XP-WFOCD-1210-701), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on January 9th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024
February 27 — March 1
Interagency Wilderness Fire Resource Advisor Training, Albuquerque, NM. Sponsored by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The course objectives are to become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a wilderness fire resource advisor, to explore the differences and techniques used to manage fire in wilderness. and to connect with other wilderness and fire professionals from surrounding areas and other agencies. The course will utilize examples from wilderness fires in the west, but many topics are applicable elsewhere and applications are not limited by geographical region. No tuition; participants will pay their own travel, meals and lodging. For registration information, contact Shirley Chase, (406)243-4682, and for course content or logistics contact the course coordinator, Tom Carlson, FS representative at the Carhart Center, (406) 243-4630. Closes January 12th.
March 6 — March 8
Interagency Wilderness Fire Resource Advisor Training, Grand Junction, CO. Sponsored by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The course objectives are to become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a wilderness fire resource advisor, to explore the differences and techniques used to manage fire in wilderness, and to connect with other wilderness and fire professionals from surrounding areas and other agencies. The course will utilize examples from wilderness fires in the west, but many topics are applicable elsewhere and applications are not limited by geographical region. No tuition; participants will pay their own travel, meals and lodging. For registration information, contact Shirley Chase, (406) 243-4682, and for course content or logistics contact the course coordinator, Tom Carlson, FS representative at the Carhart Center, (406) 243-4630. Closes January 12th.
March 12 — March 23
Use of Force Instructor Training Program (UOFITP-703), Glynco, GA. Closes on January 9th. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=574&id=4024
March 26 — March 29
Interagency Regional Wilderness Stewardship Training, Alamosa, CO. Sponsored by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The course objectives are to interpret the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the stewardship responsibilities common to all wilderness managers, explore key management issues common to wildernesses in the southern Rocky Mountains, and to connect with other wilderness professionals from surrounding areas and other agencies. No tuition; participants will pay their own travel, meals and lodging. For more information, contact Tim Devine, NPS representative at the Carhart Center, (406) 243-4612. Closes January 29th. Another regional course will be offered in western Montana from May 7th to May 10th. For information on these and other wilderness training courses, check out http://carhart.wilderness.net .
May 7 — May 11
High-Angle Rescue Training, Shenandoah NP, VA. This is the tenth year for this course. By moving it to Shenandoah, course organizers hope to make it more accessible to those parks that could benefit from such training. There should also be a helicopter course instructed by the Park Police. The course is designed for rangers and rescue personnel who are tasked with the extrication of victims in a high-angle rescue environment. All participants need to be in good physical condition and will be spending periods of time on fixed ropes in high exposure environments. Participants need to supply their own harnesses, helmets, gloves and personal locking carabineers. For more information, pleas contact coordinators Rob Turan (706-866-6627, rob_turan@nps.gov) or Kevin Moses (423-569-2404 ext. 267, kevin_moses@nps.gov).
0
Servicewide
Upcoming Events Calendar
Please submit information on upcoming events to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
**********************************************************************************************************
January 4 — January 7
Annual Meeting, American Historical Association, Atlanta, GA. For full details on the conference and on registration, go to http://www.historians.org/annual/2007/index.cfm
January 13
Joshua Tree Search and Rescue Team (JOSAR) 25th Anniversary Celebration, Twentynine Palms, CA. The event will be held at the Elk's Lodge in Twentynine Palms from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 13th. Long-time NPS SAR manager and author Butch Farabee will be master of ceremonies. RSVP to Jeff Ohlfs by December 9th. He can be reached at 760-367-5548 or Jeff_Ohlfs@nnps.gov . For event updates, go to www.JOSAR.org.
February 5 — February 7
National Heritage Areas Annual Meeting and Congressional Reception, Washington, DC. http://www.nationalheritageareas.com/
February 26 — March 1
Eastern Rivers Summit, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Discussion of issues pertaining to Eastern rivers, including policy, management, science, education and communications. Registration information will soon be available.
March 18 — March 22
"New Frontiers, Next Stages," Annual Convention, Association of Partners for Public Lands, Sacramento, CA. The Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) is a not-for-profit organization working to enhance the potential of its members, who are dedicated to public understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of America's natural and cultural heritage. For particulars on the convention, go to http://www.appl.org/Training_Conventions/2007/2007Home.htm
April 16 — April 20
"Rethinking Protected Areas In A Changing World," The George Wright Society Biennial Conference, St. Paul, MN. The conference will present a challenge to the community of park and resource professionals to assess the large-scale changes that are transforming the world. For more information, go to http://www.georgewright.org/2007.html
PARKS AND PEOPLE
0
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)
GL-0025-9 Park Ranger (Law Enforcement)
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is currently looking for a GL-0025-9 law enforcement ranger who is interested in a lateral transfer. This is a fine opportunity for someone to enhance their professional development by becoming part of a proactive team of resource and visitor protection/law enforcement professionals.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the system. The park is comprised of approximately 15,000 acres of beaches, sand dunes, and oak savannah forest. Swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and camping are enjoyed by approximately two million visitors each year.
Summertime activities afford the opportunity to experience a wide variety of people-centered incidents and activities. Once the weather cools in the fall, operations focus more on resource-based enforcement such as fishing and poaching. Opportunities to perform the full range of law enforcement and public safety activities abound. Additionally, rangers are often involved in overt/covert special operations, simple and complex investigations, EMS. and search and rescue.
The park rests largely between the cities of Gary and Michigan City, Indiana. As the area economy is transitioning away from the traditional steel mill culture, northwest Indiana is seeing a rapid improvement in quality of life. The surrounding area is primarily suburban and rural in nature. The park boasts one of the finest salmon fisheries in the Midwest and opportunities for outdoor recreation are numerous. The city of Chicago is an hour away and has all of the cultural and recreational amenities of a major metropolitan area. The Indiana Dunes area has great school systems and a wide variety of housing options in all price ranges are available (the park has no permanent housing). Moving allowances may be available. The park is within the Chicago locality pay area.
Those interested in becoming part of our team should contact supervisory park ranger Steve Chorba at 219-926-7561 ext. 314 or chief ranger Mike Bremer at ext. 301.
[Submitted by Steve Chorba, Park Ranger]46
New Public Risk Management Specialist Hired
WASO Risk Management is pleased to announce the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Sara Newman as the division's new public risk management specialist. This position is located within the Risk Management Division under the Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection.
Sara comes to the NPS from the Department of Health and Human Services where, since November of 2005, she worked as the special projects advisor to the deputy assistant secretary for public health emergency medical countermeasures in the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP). While there, she designed and implemented special studies related to public health emergency medical countermeasures.
Prior to her position at OPHEP, Sara worked for nearly three years as an epidemiologist with the Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS) where she managed the agency's infection control program and an infectious disease surveillance system. She also assisted in management efforts on a continuity of care program for tuberculosis.
Sara has a doctorate in public health with emphasis in epidemiology and social and behavioral sciences. While completing her degree, and as part of her dissertation research, she joined the United States Public Health Service and worked with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to undertake an epidemiologic analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in female prisoners. Prior to her doctoral studies, Sara worked as a technical consultant in the Latin American and the Caribbean Division with the World Bank for three years, documenting successful health, water and sanitation programs in local government. She is fluent in Spanish and also speaks some Portuguese.
Sara will be using her valuable expertise to gather and analyze data relating to visitor accidents and to develop visitor injury prevention strategies, policies and procedures for the National Park Service. She will also be gaining expertise in tort claims and government liability to serve as a resource in those areas as well.
"We are very excited to have someone with Sara's credentials, expertise and experience join our Park Service team and to serve as your resident public accident prevention expert," said risk management program manager Richard Powell.
Sara can be reached at 202-513-7225. Her office is located at our 1201 Eye Street office, 11th floor, office #67. Please join us in welcoming her aboard.
[Submitted by Richard Powell, Risk Management Program Manager]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.