Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Three Survive Airplane Crash Into Lake Powell
A single-engine Cirrus SR-22 with three people on board crashed into Lake Powell on Saturday, February 24th. On board were pilot R.B., his brother L.B., and R.G., an Olympic gold-medalist in wrestling. The plane crashed into the lake at Good Hope Bay, a remote location between Hite and Bullfrog. Fortunately, none of the three men was significantly injured in the crash. They swam in the 44-degree water for about an hour before making it to shore, then spent a night in the backcountry without fire or shelter. On Sunday morning, they flagged down a passing fisherman, who took them back to Bullfrog. Ranger-medics at Bullfrog evaluated them and found that they were okay, though hypothermic. The incident has received national attention because of Gardner's fame. He recorded a historic upset in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, when he won a gold medal in wrestling in a significant upset. For a news story with additional details, click on "More Information" below. [Submitted by Kevin Schneider, Management Assistant] More Information...
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Defendant In Manslaughter Case Sentenced
On February 16th, C.S., who'd been found guilty of manslaughter in the death of the passenger in his car in an accident last September, was sentenced in federal court in Casper to 57 months in prison and three years' supervised release. The second count of the felony indictment, which charged him with providing false information, was dismissed. The case resulted from a September 6, 2006, incident in Gardiner Canyon in which C.S. lost control of his 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, which then skidded for over 160 feet and plunged 45 feet down into the Gardiner River. The hazardous and technical rescue and recovery operation involved more than 30 NPS fire, EMS and protection personnel, assisted by local firefighters and officers. M.W., the passenger in the Avalanche, was killed in the accident. C.S. showed signs of intoxication and registered a blood alcohol level of over .211. Agents and rangers found numerous witnesses who reported that the Avalanche had been driven recklessly through the Mammoth area and at a high rate of speed through a narrow canyon prior to the accident. C.S. has been in federal custody since the day after the accident, when he was arrested by NPS agents in Idaho Falls on a felony warrant. NPS investigators received valuable assistance from both the Montana Highway Patrol and the Park County coroner. [Submitted by Brian Smith, Special Agent in Charge]
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Rescue Of Seriously Injured Hiker
On the evening of Saturday, February 24th, a 37-year-old woman was hiking with five friends on the connector trail between the Kaiser and Copper Mine trails. One of her friends fell and needed assistance in getting up. The woman, who was wearing crampons, reached down the slope to help him, but fell head first as she was doing so. She slid down the steep slope for 60 to 100 feet, hitting several trees on the way down and coming to rest against a large tree. Two EMT's who were hiking with her responded immediately. They determined that she'd sustained serious injuries, including a possible broken femur, broken arm and head and internal injuries. Rangers responded and a lengthy rescue operation ensued. Due to the steep slope and icy conditions, all had to wear crampons and employ safety lines. The woman was extricated and transported to a landing zone where a medevac helicopter picked her up and took her to a hospital in Morristown, New Jersey. [Submitted by Larry Commisso, Supervisory Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
73
Case Study Posted On Burned Area Emergency Responses
"While a natural recovery from fire is best, a BAER Team can
help the speed of the restoration from more intense wildfires."
- Narration from BAER presentation
Joining a fire history timeline and case studies on a variety of fire subjects, NPS Fire and Aviation Management has recently published an interactive case study highlighting the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program to the NPS Fire and Aviation website. BAER is an important, but perhaps little known program that provides "first aid" to the land after a wildfire, preventing further damage from erosion.
The case study integrates images, narration, and text to provide a better understanding of how a severe wildfire can damage the land and the immediate response needed and provided by BAER teams.
"This new interactive presentation will help people learn more about Burned Area Emergency Response and how important it is to protecting life and property from flash floods and debris flows that may occur after devastating landscape fires," said Rich Schwab, the National Park Service's national burned area rehabilitation coordiator.
The BAER case study can be found on the BAER section of the NPS Fire and Aviation website at http://www.nps.gov/fire/fire/fir_baer.cfm.
The fire history timeline and all case studies may be found at http://www.nps.gov/nifc/utility/uti_casestudies.cfm.
[Submitted by Rich Schwab, richard_schwab@nps.gov, 208-387-5642]
More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Manassas National Battlefield Park (VA)
GS-12 Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)
Dates: 02/16/2007 - 03/15/2007
Manassas National Battlefield Park is recruiting for a GS-12 chief ranger for its division of visitor protection. The position is designated as secondary/supervisory (LEO) for retirement purposes. The person in this position serves as a first-line supervisor for the protection ranger staff; plans and executes the law enforcement and protection functions for the park; manages protection issues, including horse-mounted operations, radio and security systems, search and rescue, and the wildfire program; and enforces the U.S. Code, CFR, and state regulations in concurrent jurisdiction. Due to the park's commuting proximity to several other NPS sites and Washington, D.C., there may be dual career opportunities. The announcement for this position is currently being advertised on USA JOBS as NPS-MANA-07-05. For a copy of the announcement, click on "More Information" below. For additional information, contact human resources specialist Debra Durham at 703-754-0624.
[Submitted by Debra Durham, debra_durham@nps.gov, 703-754-0624]
More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type;=Announcements&id;=3363All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office. The former will be forwarded to the appropriate staff in WASO.