Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Two Hikers Die After Fall In Creek
Two backpackers hiking in Mount Rainier National Park were killed Monday after falling off a makeshift log bridge while trying to cross a creek that was rerouted by winter floods. In any other year, a National Park Service bridge would have carried the hikers easily across the waterway, Ipsut Creek, that claimed their lives. But the bridge — like many in the 368-square-mile park — was made useless during the floods that battered the park last fall. The sole survivor of the hiking party contacted park personnel at 10 a.m. Monday, saying that her two hiking partners — a married couple — had been swept away by Ipsut Creek, said Lee Taylor, a park spokeswoman. One of the hikers fell from the log into the creek, Taylor said. The second hiker jumped into the water to attempt a rescue. Searchers in a helicopter spotted both bodies downstream from the Ipsut Creek Campground, a primitive backcountry site where the hiking party spent Sunday night, Taylor said. Twelve members of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department's swift-water rescue team recovered one body from the near-freezing water Monday afternoon, she said. Taylor said the hikers were Washington residents in their 40s. The accident occurred in an area that was devastated by the torrential rains that tore through the park in November, Taylor said. In the flooding that followed, both Ipsut Creek and the nearby Carbon River changed courses. "It's a new stretch of river," Taylor said. "And the area where they were is exactly where the road used to be." The Park Service has estimated that at least $36 million in damage was done to the park. Washed-out roads and downed bridges account for much of that damage. The Carbon River Road, a gravel route in the park's northwest corner, has been consumed by the Carbon River, said Elizabeth Lunney, executive director of the Washington Trails Association. Now, she said, the area where the hikers died Monday is accessible only by a debris-covered footpath. Taylor said stream crossings will be the biggest safety concern as the hiking season approaches. Bridges are out at several popular hiking destinations in the park, including Comet Creek and Grove of the Patriarchs. [Submitted by Levi Pulkkinen, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
Haleakala National Park (HI)
Rangers Respond To Bike Accident With Serious Injuries
Park dispatch received a call just after 7 a.m. on March 15th
reporting a seriously injured bike rider on Crater Road at the
8,500-foot level. Rangers responded and were on scene in ten minutes. A
44-year-old female rider with a commercially led bicycle tour made it
through the apex of a turn, but then crossed the center line and crashed
into rocks. Tour leaders immediately called for assistance and began
first aid. Rangers assessed the patient, determined that her injuries
were serious, and called for an ambulance. She sustained major head
trauma in the accident even though she was wearing a helmet. Ambulance
personnel subsequently called for an air evacuation, and a helicopter
landed at Hosmer Grove at the 7,000-foot level . The woman was driven
there, loaded on board and flown to a hospital. Her condition was not
known at the time of the report. The investigation continues.
[Submitted by Dominic Cardea]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Regulations Program
Final Part 3 Boating Regs Published In Federal Register
Revisions to 36 CFR Part 3, the regulations that govern the National Park Service's boating and water use activities, have been completed and posted to the Federal Register. The final rule will be published today, March 23rd.
The revision process began in 1994 with a memo from the superintendent at Lake Mead to Director Kennedy. In 1995, Dennis Burnett sent a letter to the field asking for interested individuals to assist with this major rewrite. The process began on January 21, 1997, when 14 people met at Lake Mead to begin work on the rewrite.
You can download a copy of the entire rule package by going to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html . At mid-page, click on HTML or PDF to "Browse the table of contents from today's issue." Look for current publications under the National Park Service heading.
A copy of the briefing statement listing highlights can be viewed under the "Recent News" link on the WASO regulations web page:
http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=700&id=5288
[Submitted by Jerry Case, Regulations Program Manager]
Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
Please submit information on upcoming training courses to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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March 26
Planning Effective use of Your Workforce, TEL station course. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Course code NPS-SML6213. The course will help you define workforce management (position management), identify and understand how to develop a workforce management plan, and how to implement the plan. Register by March 23rd. For more info on this and other TEL courses, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/tel/schedule.htm
March 28
Law Enforcement Refresher, TEL station course. 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. Course code NPS-LAW2010. Half the session will be on problem-oriented policing; half will be on flying while armed. Register by March 22nd. For more info on this and other TEL courses, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/tel/schedule.htm
March 29
FWS Songs of Insects, TEL station course. 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Course code FWS-Series Broadcasts. Interview of Will Hershberger on his new book about insect songs. Register by March 28th. For more info on this and other TEL courses, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/tel/schedule.htm
April 2 — 4/April 9 — 10
Annual LE Refresher, Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Beach Lake, PA. The refresher includes firearms qualifications, advanced tactical firearms skills, PPCT defensive tactics, spontaneous knife defense, legal updates from the FBI and AUSA as well as other LE topics. For more information, contact Larry Neal at (570)-729-7862 or larry_neal@nps.gov
April 2 — April 13
Certified Structural Firefighter Training, Wawona District, Yosemite NP, CA. The course will include lectures and audio-visual aids, but will maintain an emphasis on individual and engine company skills essential for personal safety and effective and safe fire ground operations. For more information, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=284&id=2653&lv=4&pgid=902
April 3 — April 5
Colt Law Enforcement M16/AR15 Armorer's School, Valley Forge NHP, King of Prussia, PA. Upon completion of the three-day course, students will have a complete understanding of the design theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance and trouble-shooting of the M16/AR-15 family of weapons including rifles, carbines, and sub-machine guns. Tuition is $400. For further information, contact course coordinator John T. Waterman (610-783-1050, John_Waterman@nps.gov ).
April 8 — April 11
Siting Wireless Communications, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. This interagency course introduces participants to the regulatory requirements and agency policies associated with siting wireless communication facilities. Participants will learn to distinguish between different wireless communication technologies and services and identify ways to improve the processing of applications. The course code is BLM-TC-2000-21. There's no tuition for NPS participants. Contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092 for more information.
April 17 — April 9
Colt Armorer's School, Capitol Reef NP, Torrey, UT. Each graduate will gain a complete understanding of the design theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance and troubleshooting of the M-16/AR-15 family of weapons, including rifles, carbines and submachine guns. Three-year certification as a model-specific Colt law enforcement armorer. For law enforcement personnel only! Tuition: $400. For an application and addition information, contact ranger Mike Zirwas (435-425-3791 x 151, mike_zirwas@nps.gov ). The application closing date is March 31st.
April 24 — April 26
Equipment Operator Safety for Supervisors, Whiskeytown NRA, Redding, CA. The course will examine the risks of operating heavy equipment and steps to minimize them. Supervisory approval is required. Go to DOI Learn, click on the course catalog, search the catalog for the term "mnt7" (minus the quotes), click on the course title, click on the preview schedule, find the course, and click on apply. For more info, contact Steve Hastings at 301-663-8206 ext 134 or Dorothy Printup at 301-663-8206 ext 101.
April 24 — April 27
Law Enforcement Refresher, Everglades NP, FL. The training will cover all the subjects required by RM-9 and will include sessions on commercial operations in national parks. If you're interested, contact Robert Gantt (305-242-7731, robert_gantt@nps.gov ).
April 30 — May 3
Pipeline Systems, Durango, CO. The course provides participants with information on the siting, construction, operation, and management of oil and gas pipeline systems. Agency roles and responsibilities in the application and compliance process are discussed. The course code is BLM-TC-1730-22. Contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092 for more information.
April 30 — May 4
Annual LE Refresher, Laughlin, NV. The nomination deadline is April 6th. The tuition is $150. For further information, contact course coordinators Kirk Gebicke (760-252-6131) or Michael Ice (760-928-2069) by phone or email.
April 30 — May 4
Curating Natural History Collections, Santa Barbara, CA. The course provides training in the fundamentals of managing natural history collections. For details and an application form, go to http://www.doi.gov/museum/CuratingNatHistoryAnnouncement.html . For additional information, contact Greg McDonald at 970 267-2167 or Greg_McDonald@nps.gov .
May 7 — May 11
Housing Management Training, Phoenix, AZ. This training will provide National Park Service employees who are responsible for employee housing with a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics will include: roles and responsibilities, QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, needs assessments, total cost of ownership, condition assessments (FMSS/FCAS), housing management plans, PMIS projects, and tenant issues. Applications are due by April 13th. For a copy of the announcement, go http://www.nps.gov/training/housingmgmt.doc; for additional details, contact Jeri Mihalic at 406-531-3534.
May 8 — May 10
Equipment Operator Safety for Supervisors, Whiskeytown NRA, Harpers Ferry NHP, WV. The course will examine the risks of operating heavy equipment and steps to minimize them. Supervisory approval is required. Go to DOI Learn, click on the course catalog, search the catalog for the term "mnt7" (minus the quotes), click on the course title, click on the preview schedule, find the course, and click on apply. For more info, contact Steve Hastings at 301-663-8206 ext 134 or Dorothy Printup at 301-663-8206 ext 101.
May 10 — May 12
Critical Incident Stress Management Advanced Group Refresher, WASO, Washington, DC. The course is for employees with basic CISM training and who are active locally or regionally in CISM responses. For a copy of the application, contact Pam McMillan at yosekidz@verison.net . Applications must be emailed prior to April 7th.
May 14 — May 17
Accessibility Coordinator Training, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. The National Center on Accessibility course is designed to give accessibility coordinators basic information on putting such programs into effect. For more information, contact Nan Smith (nanasmith@indiana.edu, 812-856-4429) or go to http://www.ncaonline.org/training/accesscoordinator.shtml
May 14 — May 18
Inland Search and Rescue Planning, Denver, CO. Advanced course for experienced on-scene SAR decision makers, planners, operations leaders and direct support staff members. Closes on April 12th. For further information, contact the National Search and Rescue School at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia (757-856-2272, sar.school@langley.af.mil ). For the full text of the course memorandum, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/2007%20Inland%20SAR%20School%2Epdf
May 14 — May 18
Archeological Resources Protection Training, Spokane, WA. This 37-hour course provides training in all aspects of an archeological investigation and subsequent prosecution of the crimes. This premier class is taught by accomplished instructors who are nationally recognized subject matter experts in the fields of law enforcement, archeology and law. For NPS registration please contact Wiley Golden at 912-267-2246. All others contact Virginia McCleskey at 912-554-4828.
May 29 — May 31
Interview and Interrogation Training, Roanoke, VA. Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke COPD are cosponsoring the multi-jurisdictional counter-drug task force's 24-hour interview and interrogation training program. Topics include: Avoiding interviewing pitfalls, verbal lie detection, open and closed ended questions, teaching the subject to lie, non-verbal body language, evasive verbal responses, mandated interview questions, analyzing verbal and written statements, dignity and confession, establishing a "power of influence," understanding the common myths of Miranda, and voluntary confessions. No tuition; travel and lodging will be paid by benefiting accounts. To register for the course, contact supervisory park ranger Steve Buxton (540-767-2490 ext. 19, steve_buxton@nps.gov). For additional information, go to http://www.mctft.com/traditional_training/view_course.aspx?pID=PDOX0028
May 31 and June 1
Taking Care Of Our Own: Line Of Duty Death Training, National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, ID. This eight-hour course will provide guidance to agency administrators on assisting surviving family members and co-workers following a line of duty death. Designed primarily for superintendents, chief rangers and regional and park-level FMO's, but Type 1 and Type 2 incident commanders are also invited. There are two one-day classes — one on Thursday, May 31st, the other on Friday, June 1st. There are 25 spaces in the former and 40 in the latter. Selections will be made by April 30th. Nominations are due by April 13th. For more info, call Roberta D'Amico at 208-387-5239 or contact her via email. For an application form, please go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/TCOO_Nom_Form.doc
June 5 — June 7
I-Suite Training, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, GA. This 24-hour course is designed to provide finance personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to use the incident time system (ITS) and incident cost accounting and reporting system (ICARS) modules of the I-Suite software. The course will not cover the incident action plan (IAP) or incident resource status system (IRSS) modules of I-Suite. For further details, contact course coordinator Jeff Brice at 678-320-3004 or via email; for more on the course, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1296
June 5 — June 7
Equipment Operator Safety for Supervisors, Yellowstone NP, WY. The course will examine the risks of operating heavy equipment and steps to minimize them. Supervisory approval is required. Go to DOI Learn, click on the course catalog, search the catalog for the term "mnt7" (minus the quotes), click on the course title, click on the preview schedule, find the course, and click on apply. For more info, contact Steve Hastings at 301-663-8206 ext 134 or Dorothy Printup at 301-663-8206 ext 101.
June 18 — June 22
Inland Search and Rescue Planning, Anchorage, AK. Advanced course for experienced on-scene SAR decision makers, planners, operations leaders and direct support staff members. Closes on May 10th. For further information, contact the National Search and Rescue School at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia (757-856-2272, sar.school@langley.af.mil ). For the full text of the course memorandum, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/2007%20Inland%20SAR%20School%2Epdf
July 23 — July 27
Inland Search and Rescue Planning, Joliet, IL. Advanced course for experienced on-scene SAR decision makers, planners, operations leaders and direct support staff members. Closes on June 14th. For further information, contact the National Search and Rescue School at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia (757-856-2272, sar.school@langley.af.mil ). For the full text of the course memorandum, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/2007%20Inland%20SAR%20School%2Epdf
July 30 — August 3
Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, DOI Learning Center in Albuquerque, NM. The 36-hour course covers all aspects of special park uses from First Amendment rights to filming and photography to wireless telecommunication sites. Temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses will also be discussed. DO-53/RM-53 is covered in depth, as well as 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies 2006. A draft agenda is posted on the special park uses web page. For more information, contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092.
August 13 — August 17
Inland Search and Rescue Planning, Yorktown, VA. Advanced course for experienced on-scene SAR decision makers, planners, operations leaders and direct support staff members. Closes on July 19th. For further information, contact the National Search and Rescue School at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia (757-856-2272, sar.school@langley.af.mil ). For the full text of the course memorandum, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/2007%20Inland%20SAR%20School%2Epdf
September 17 — September 21
Inland Search and Rescue Planning, Port Deposit, MD. Advanced course for experienced on-scene SAR decision makers, planners, operations leaders and direct support staff members. Closes on August 9th. For further information, contact the National Search and Rescue School at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia (757-856-2272, sar.school@langley.af.mil ). For the full text of the course memorandum, go to http://classicinside.nps.gov/documents/2007%20Inland%20SAR%20School%2Epdf
Servicewide
Upcoming Events Calendar
Please submit information on upcoming events to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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March 24 — March 25
193rd Anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Horseshoe Bend NMP, AL. This annual event recreates frontier life in the year 1814 and emphasizes the importance of the battle in United States history through a variety of special demonstrations and interpretive programs. Free to the public. For more information, contact the park at 256-234-7111 or go to www.nps.gov/hobe.
March 30
Parks, Peace and Partnerships Conference, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. Deadline for submission of oral and poster presentations for this special international conference, which has been convened to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park, the first in the world. Details on topics and abstract format can be found at the conference web site: http://www.peaceparks2007.org . Deadline for receipt of abstracts is March 30th.
April 14
Fiesta de Saguaro, East District, Saguaro NP, AZ. The event will honor the Hispanic heritage of the area with song, dance, guest speakers, food, crafts and children's activities. For more info, call 520-733-5153 or go to http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/events.htm?om=3&oy=2007&prk=sagu
April 14 — April 15
Federal Infantry Living History Weekend, Shiloh NMP, TN. The programs, presented by the Salt River Rifles and the Southeast Coalition of Authentic Reenactors, will be taking place in Duncan Field over the weekend. Period camps will be set up. There will be ongoing interpretation within the camps, and interpretation regarding Civil War medicine. Tactical field demonstrations will be held each day. The cost to attend will be $3 per individual or $5 per family. For more information, contact ranger Joe Davis at 731-689-5696.
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
April 22 — April 29
National Parks Week. For additional information on this annual Servicewide event, go to http://www.nps.gov/npweek/
September 9 — September 12
Parks, Peace and Partnerships Conference, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. This special international conference has been convened to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park, the first in the world. Details on the conference can be found at their web site: http://www.peaceparks2007.org.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
George Washington Birthplace National Monument
John Frye Announces Retirement
Interpretation and education supervisory ranger John Frye has announced his retirement following 32 years of service to the National Park Service and the American people.
"I feel I was exceptionally fortunate in my career with the National Park Service," said Frye. "I have been able to do just about everything a career in the National Park Service has to offer. I have worked in maintenance, cultural and natural resources, as a protection and interpretive ranger and as an administrative officer; I have done just about all of this within a one hour's drive of Washington D.C."
Through out his career, John traveled and worked as an employee in eight NPS areas.
"I have enjoyed the variety in my career. I started working for the National Park Service back when you carried your briefcase and your gun in the trunk of your car; depending on the situation you might use either one (or both) during the course of the day," says Frye in recalling his early career at Manassas National Battlefield Park as a park technician and resource manager.
John Frye began his career with the National Park Service in 1976 as a park aid at Prince William Forest Park, worked one summer out west at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area at Wahweap Campground, then came back east for the rest of his career. John has mowed the rail fence lines at Manassas, guided tours under the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, lead intercity youth as a YCC camp director, administered park budgets at the site of the "Star Spangled Banner," and protected our nation's natural and historic treasures as a resource manager. John ends his National Park Service career at the birthplace of our country's first President, but as he says "that doesn't mean that I am retiring".
John is leaving the National Park Service to pursue a second career counseling students in Virginia's community colleges on the education and career choices they have available to them. John Frye is leaving one career where he strived to preserve the past for Americas' future; where he will counsel youth to help them shape their individual futures.
A retirement party will be held at the Log House in George Washington Birthplace National Monument on March 31st. Well wishes, stories, photos, etc. can be sent to George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Washington's Birthplace, VA 22443 or you can email/call Gloria Updyke at 804-224-1732.
[Submitted by Christine Smith, Christine_Smith@nps.gov, 804 224 1732 ext 227]
U.S. Forest Service
USFS Law Enforcement Officer Killed In Accident
Regional Forester Linda Goodman and Special Agent-in-Charge Tom Lyons have expressed their sympathies over the passing of Shane Wyrsch, a USDA Forest Service law enforcement officer serving the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest.
"It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Officer Wyrsch," Goodman said. "We are a close community in the Forest Service. Tragedy that befalls one of us affects us all. I know I speak for everyone in Region 6 in expressing our sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Wyrsch."
Wyrsch, 35, of Enumclaw, Wash., was off duty and returning home from a meeting Monday night about 10:20 p.m. in his private vehicle on State Route 410 near the intersection of 262nd Ave. East when his westbound vehicle was struck head-on by an eastbound vehicle that crossed the center line at milepost 19, according to police reports. Wyrsch was taken to Tacoma General Hospital.
Wyrsch had worked for the Forest Service for 16 years. He was stationed at the Snoqualmie Ranger District in Enumclaw. He leaves a wife and two children. Services are pending.
"This affects us very deeply in the law enforcement community," Special Agent-in-Charge Lyons said. "We are all very close and we are saddened at this tragic news. Our hearts go out to Officer Wyrsch's family."
[Submitted by Tom Knappenberger]
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;=3363
All reports should be submitted via email to Lane Baker in the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services in the Washington Office and to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with copies to your regional office.