RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
CC: RAD Information Net
Day/date: Monday, May 13, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-148 - Boston (Massachusetts) - Death of Employee
George MacDougall, a member of the park's grounds crew, was
stricken with a heart attack while working at the Bunker Hill
Monument early on the afternoon of May 9th. Ranger Vince
Kordack began CPR with the assistance of a visitor, and was soon
joined by local EMS personnel and ranger-EMT's Aline Forbes and
Chip Littlefield, who provided advanced life support measures.
MacDougall was taken to a city hospital, but succumbed following
further treatment. Among his survivors is his daughter, Deborah,
who works for the NARO Preservation Lab. [Telefax from John
Benjamin, Deputy Superintendent, BOST, 5/10]
91-149 - Big Bend (Texas) - Possible Homicide
While working at Glenn Springs historic cemetery, archeologist
Tom Alex discovered what appeared to be a new grave. The local
FBI office was contacted, and the grave is being treated as a
crime scene pending complete investigation. Further information
will follow. [Roger Moder, BIBE, via telefax from Cliff Chetwin,
RAD/SWRO, 5/10]
91-150 - Lake Mead (Nevada/California) - Chemical Spill
A truck delivering 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel to construction
workers at the base of Hoover Dam lost its brakes, wrecked and
spilled fuel into the Colorado River below the dam on May 2nd.
The Boulder Beach fire brigade responded and assisted Bureau of
Reclamation personnel in removing the injured driver and in
providing fire protection. Rangers monitored the spill as it
moved down river and eventually dissipated. The spill had no
impacts on fish or wildlife. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/9]
91-151 - Lake Mead (Nevada/California) - Emergency Assistance
A large cloud of chlorine gas was released following a spill at
an industrial complex in Henderson, Nevada, on May 6th. NPS
personnel worked at a command post and triage area set up in
Boulder City and provided medical assistance to over 80 persons
affected by the gas. Rangers also provided traffic control on
park roads leading into and out of the town. [Dispatch, LAME,
via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/9]
91-152 - Big Thicket (Texas) - Homicide
Ranger Ray Klein came across a police crime scene barricade in
the park at the Four Oaks Ranch Road Confluence boat ramp and
day use area while on routine patrol on the morning of May 4th
and subsequently learned that a homicide had been committed in
the park the previous afternoon. The body of the victim, J.E.G.,
62, of Vidor, Texas, had been discovered by a
passerby; a few hours later, the victim's son-in-law, D.C.G.,
of Bridge City, Texas, turned himself in to
deputies in a nearby county and confessed to shooting his
father-in-law. D.C.G. was brought before a local justice of the
peace, who released him on a $10,000 bond. County investigators
are unable to explain why the park was not notified, as a
memorandum of understanding exists between the two agencies and
the murder occurred at a developed park facility. County
officers have pledged to cooperate fully with park staff and
submit all information requested for possible future prosecution
of Greer in federal court. [CompuServe message from RAD/SWRO,
5/7]
91-153 - Joshua Tree (California) - Burglary
An alarm company monitoring the visitor center's intrusion
system reported a burglary at 9:00 p.m. on the evening of April
30th. Rangers discovered that entry had been made by smashing a
side window with a large rock, and that two VCR's with a
valuation of $700 had been stolen. They followed tracks from
the center and found the VCR's and a bicycle. A minor suspect
has been identified, but no arrest has yet been made. [Paul
Henry, CR, JOTR, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 5/6]
[More pending incident reports tomorrow...]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No reports today.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
1) The 55th Department of Interior Honor Awards Convocation was
held in Washington on May 8th. The following employees were
cited for extraordinary courage and heroism in saving the lives
of others: Rangers Terry Swift, Dale Antonich, Terry Harris,
Mark Machiha, Ian Brown and Carolyn Brown; US Park Police
Officers Lisa Dunlap, Rachel Luce, Norman Hinson, and Raymond
Rapp. Two others received stewardship awards for their efforts
in the "war on drugs" Ranger Jeffrey Judd and US Park Police
Detective Peter Markland. Congratulations to all! Detailed
information on the awards will appear in the next RANGER
ACTIVITIES INFORMATION EXCHANGE. [Jack Schamp, RAD/WASO]
2) The resource management division at Gulf Islands needs two
metal detectors. Any park with a surplus or confiscated metal
detector willing to transfer or loan it to them should contact
Carl Zimmerman, resource management specialist, at 9049342605.
[Gene Phillips, CR, GUIS]
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.
Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: No leave or travel
scheduled.
Branch of Fire: Report pending.
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax: FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog: 1/650