NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, December 27, 2010

INCIDENTS

Amistad NRA

Rangers Save Man After Kayaking Accident

On Christmas afternoon, the Val Verde County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a person in the water waving for help near the Highway 277 Bridge. Ranger Andrew McGahan responded by vehicle, while ranger Matt Gilbert responded by boat. McGahan arrived in the area within minutes, and located a man in the lake approximately 75 yards from the shore. McGahan, a US Coast Guard veteran, entered the lake wearing an insulated “float coat,” swam to the man's location, handed the man a throw rope, and towed him to shore. The man was found to have an altered level of consciousness and appeared to be suffering from moderate to severe hypothermia. Gilbert arrived soon after and the two rangers assisted the man to a waiting ambulance. He was transported to Val Verde Regional Medical center, where he was treated for hypothermia and later released. Investigation revealed that the man had received a new kayak for Christmas and had gone to the lake to try it out. At some point, the kayak capsized and drifted away, leaving him stranded in the water. He estimated that he had been in the 60 degree water for two hours before he was rescued. The man was wearing a PFD, which likely saved his life. The kayak was recovered the next day. [Steve Krisko, Supervisory Park Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):

Fort McHenry NM&HS - The replica of the Star Spangled Banner that flies over Fort McHenry around the clock is now illuminated by a modern hybrid of solar and LED lighting technology. This unique system is the first of its kind in a historic setting or for the NPS.

Workplace Enrichment - The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service is currently accepting nominations for the tenth annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.

Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the NPS. Included in today's summary is the enactment of legislation that authorizes funding for all government agencies through March.

NPS Alumni - Robert S. (Bob) Chandler, 74, who had a highly distinguished 38 year career with the National Park Service, died on December 23rd.

Fossil Butte NM - David McGinnis, superintendent of Fossil Butte for the last 24 years, will retire on January 1st with 42 years of federal service. Photo.

Intermountain Region - Cordell Roy, state coordinator for the National Park Service for Utah since 2003, is retiring January 1st after 39 years of federal service.

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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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