NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Grand Canyon NP
Two Lives Saved Through Rapid EMS Response
Rangers saved the lives of two people in critical condition during three concurrent EMS responses on the night of Thursday, May 8th:
A.P., a 76-year-old visitor from Arizona, was sleeping in bed when he began gasping for air. His wife, who was lying next to him reading a book, found that he had no pulse and called for assistance. Dispatcher Sean Perchalski provided instructions on how to perform CPR while rangers Eric Keefer and Ben McKay headed to their location, arriving within two minutes. Four minutes later, a park ambulance arrived with ranger Jason Montoya and ranger/paramedic Brandon Torres. They employed advanced cardiac life support measures to convert him out of ventricular fibrillation and stabilize him.
While they were awaiting an ambulance to transport A.P. to the hospital, dispatch was notified that D.L., a 55-year-old teacher at Grand Canyon High School, had accidentally shot himself in the leg with a .22 caliber handgun. D.L. had been showing the gun to friends while sitting in the back seat of a vehicle when the accident occurred. Arterial bleeding from the wound caused significant blood loss. Another ambulance responded with McKay, ranger Marty Huseman, and paramedic Robert Walters. They treated D.L. and immediately headed towards Flagstaff Medical Center, 78 miles away. Fortunately, an air ambulance became available and rendezvoused with them at the Valle airport, 28 miles south of the park. Alcohol was likely a factor in the accident. The investigation continues.
During the response to the shooting, dispatch was notified of a 73-year-old man with emphysema who was having difficulty breathing. Ranger/paramedic Ken Phillips responded and provided initial treatment, stabilizing him. He was taken by ambulance o the Flagstaff Medical Center.
Outstanding teamwork among park dispatchers, rangers, helibase staff and off-duty rangers contributed to the successful outcome of these three cases. [Brandon Torres, South Rim Shift Lead]
Ocmulgee NM
Severe Weather Closes Park
A series of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes caused extensive damage to a half dozen counties in central Georgia early on Sunday morning, but largely spared the park. Trees were downed and power was out, so the park was closed. The park's radio system was destroyed by a direct strike to the Georgia Forestry Commission tower where it was located. All park staff are fine, but some remain without power. A damage assessment is underway. [Guy L. LaChine, Chief Ranger]
Ozark NSR
Rangers Assist In Arrest Of Homicide Suspects
Rangers were dispatched to assist several agencies with the apprehension of a murder suspect on May 8th. The murder took place near the park, and state and local law enforcement officers were looking for a man and woman who were thought to be on foot in the Rocky Falls area and possibly within the park. Five park protection rangers joined the search. The pair were found in an unoccupied cabin about two miles from the park's boundary. The rangers were asked to backup officers from the Shannon County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the lead agencies in the case, and were placed around the cabin as observers. The two suspects had a 30-06 rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun with them, but surrendered without incident following several hours of negotiations. [Greg Moss, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
Director's Office - The sixth annual George B. Hartzog, Jr. Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service were presented on May 8th in Washington, DC.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6497" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6497
Cape Hatteras NS - The park has put into effect a number of temporary closures to protect nesting birds in accord with the consent decree issued by a federal district court.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6499" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6499
US Park Police - On May 3rd, retired U.S. Park Police officer Jackie “Jack” James passed away.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1923" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1923
Intermountain Region - The National Safety Leadership Council is seeking candidates for a detail as the Servicewide manager of the Operational Leadership program.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=3338" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=3338
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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