NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, April 18, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-159 - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Missouri) - Robbery

On the evening of April 16th, park visitor J.R. was attacked and
robbed at a rest area on Arch grounds.  J.R. was approached by three
males wearing "Cochrane Crypts" gang colors; one hit him in the face and
knocked him down, the other two then joined in removing J.R.'s wallet,
watch and knapsack, which contained airline tickets.  This case is very
similar to the robbery and sexual assault which occurred two days previously
and appeared in yesterday's Morning Report.  [J.L. Weddle, Criminal
Investigator, JEFF, 4/17]

97-160 - Jean Lafitte NHP&P (Louisiana) - Attempted Suicide

On the morning of April 13th, ranger Chris Burke came upon a man sitting in
his car in a parking lot in Barataria Preserve.  Burke saw an open container
of alcohol and suspected that the man was intoxicated.  When he asked him if
he had any firearms in the vehicle, the man said, "Yes, but I'm saving them
for later."  When Burke removed him from the car, the man said he was ready
"to end it" and pleaded with Burke to shoot him, asking what he could do to
make Burke do so.  The man also told Burke that he'd been in a mental
hospital the week before.  He was subdued, then taken to a New Orleans
psychiatric facility with the assistance of local deputies.  The subsequent
search and inventory of his vehicle produced three loaded handguns - two
under the driver's seat and the third in an attache case on the passenger's
seat.  Additional ammunition, marijuana and prescription anti-depressants
were also discovered.  Investigation revealed that the man had a history of
mental illness and suicidal tendencies.  He told a friend after the incident
that he was at the park to commit suicide, but had been interrupted and had
then tried to get the ranger to kill him.  Federal charges have been filed. 
[Jim Carson, Barataria Preserve, JELA, 4/17]

97-161 - War in the Pacific NHP (Guam) - Typhoon Closure

The islands of Guam and Rota were placed on typhoon alert for approaching
Typhoon Isa at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16th.  The park secured all
facilities and closed down operations at that time; all employees were sent
home.  The typhoon was expected to pass within 40 miles of the park with
sustained winds of 120 mph and gusts to 145 mph during the afternoon of April
17th.  Fortunately, the typhoon passed during the early morning hours and
failed to make the predicted northward turn.  The eye passed about 140 miles
southwest of Guam and continued into the Philippine Sea.  Although heavy
rains and gusty winds were experienced, no damage was recorded at the park
and operations resumed today.  This storm is now a "super typhoon" with winds
in excess of 160 mph, but tracking westward and away from both War in the
Pacific and American Memorial.  The storm is unusually early for the typhoon
season, which normally begins near the end of May.  It has been suggested
that the storm may be a result of global warming and the first of a very long
season for Micronesia.  [Ed Wood, Superintendent, WAPA, 4/18]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Risk Management Council - The second meeting of the Service's risk management
council was held in Denver in early March.  The purpose of the council is to
develop national risk management policies and guidelines and serve as a
conduit for information, concerns, and issues.  The council membership
includes regional risk managers, superintendents, field safety/occupational
health representatives, and representatives from Public Health Service, the
interpretative council, the maintenance council, and protection.  Agenda
items addressed by the council included the following:

o Completion of a review of all revised chapters of draft Director's
Orders 50 (formerly NPS-50).
o Initiation of revisions to the risk management strategic plan.
o Setting directions for the development of a safety and health handbook
containing the "how-to's" to accompany Directors' Orders 50. 
o Creation of a board of review/board of inquiry work group.
o Continued work by a task group on evaluation of specialized fabrics for
clothing (uniforms) as a safety issue for employees.
o Identification of sociological research needs in risk management.
o An overview of Public Health Service capabilities.
o Development of criteria for NPS site risk management programs.

Please direct any questions or comments to the WASO Risk Management Office in
Denver at 303-969-2650.  [Shirley Rowley, RMO]

Seasonal Law Enforcement Credentials - The NPS will be issuing seasonal law
enforcement credential cards at the park level this season.  Superintendents
will be the issuing authorities and will be required to sign each seasonal
commission card.  Seasonal credential cards may be procured from Joe Johnson
in the NPS office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.  There are
only enough cards for this year's seasonals, so parks should only request as
many cards as they actually need.  More will be produced this fall.  The
cards will not be accompanied by credential cases; parks may procure these if
they so desire.  All signed cards should be laminated and include a current
photograph of the employee.  The commission cards are only good for the year
of issue.  New cards will be issued each season.  Superintendents are
encouraged to destroy cards that have been turned in at the end of each
season.  [Bob Marriott, RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

WEB DIRECTORY

Every other Friday, the Morning Report will carry a listing of Worldwide Web
sites of use to NPS employees in the course of their work.  Please send along
entries to the editor.  Thanks to Judy Geniac for providing this week's
addition on the park geology program.

National Park Service

Congressional Affairs office          www.nps.gov/legal
Training and Development office       www.nps.gov/training
NPS Web page development info         www.nps.gov/helpdesk (user name: NPS,
                                            password: Mather)
Current VIP opportunities             www.nps.gov/volunteer
Press releases, park news, more       www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pressrm.htm
Q&A with volunteer NPS historians     www.nps.gov/crweb1/history/askhist.htm
Geologists-in-Parks program           www.aqd.nps.gov/natnet/grd/geojob/geojob.htm

Department of Interior

DOI jobs listings                     www.usgs.gov/doi/avads/index.html
DOI IG reports                        www.gpo.ucop.edu/search/ig.html
DOI payroll, Denver                   www.dasc.doi.gov

Other Agencies

Comptroller General decisions         www.gpo.ucop.edu/search/gaocd.html
GAO reports                           www.gpo.ucop.edu/search/gao.html
OPM jobs listings                     www.usajobs.opm.gov
USDA graduate school                  www.grad.usda.gov
Thrift Savings Plan                   www.tsp.gov
New legislation (NECTEA) re: 
 funding for park roads               www.fhwa.dot.gov

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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