NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, October 28, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-612 - Gulf Islands NS (MS/FL) - Follow-up: Hurricane Georges

The incident management team (IMT) assigned to the park to help clean up the
Mississippi barrier islands has made progress toward restoring quarters and
visitor facilities.  Lumber has been procured to widen the temporary catwalk
that was constructed on Ship Island after the hurricane's passage.  The storm
ripped all the boards off the boat dock/pier, which is over 400 feet long. 
Much of the heavy debris removal will be done by contractors utilizing
backhoes, bulldozers and bobcats, but hand labor will be required to salvage
the decking and structural supports from the approximately 1,800 foot long
boardwalk which once spanned the width of the island.  Fifteen people are now
assigned to the incident, including personnel from both the NPS and Forest
Service, but a Type II crew will be required for debris removal.  No
available crews have yet been found, so alternative labor sources are being
examined.  IMT phone numbers are as follows: finance and plans - 228-872-
8087; command, information and operations - 228-872-8634; logistics - 228-
872-8861.  [Kent Cave, IO, IMT, 10/26 and 10/27]

98-691 - Chickasaw NRA (OK) - Serious Employee Injury

District ranger A. "B." H. was seriously injured while deer hunting
on private property on Saturday, October 24th.  A.H. was attempting to
descend from a tree stand when a limb broke and he fell about 18 feet,
landing on his right shoulder and the right side of his face.  He suffered a
fractured C-2 vertebra, a facial tear from the corner of his right eye to the
right side of his mouth, crushed facial bones, and a broken nose.  A.H. was
airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, where he underwent five hours
of reconstructive surgery on Sunday.  He remains in critical condition in the
hospital's intensive care unit.  Get well messages can be sent to him care of
Ranger Activities Division, Chickasaw NRA, PO Box 201, Sulphur, OK 73086. 
["IMR Morning Line," SWSO Public Affairs Office, 10/27]

98-692 - National Capital Parks (DC/MD) - Assault

On Saturday, October 17th, two women, ages 23 and 32, were beaten by an
unknown male in Fort Totten Park.  One of the two woman was also sexually
assaulted.  Park Police officers and investigators were summoned to the area
around 1 a.m.  Both women required medical treatment.  Composite drawings of
the suspect have been developed and released to the public.  An intensive
investigation is underway.  [Sgt. Dave Mulholland, USPP, NCR, 10/23]

98-693 - Andrew Johnson NHS (TN) - Electrical Fire

On the afternoon of October 23rd, chief of operations Jim Small noticed a
strong odor of burning rubber and a hissing noise as he left the park's
visitor center.  Further investigation revealed that the smell, noise and
gray smoke were all issuing from the rooftop HVAC system.  Small cleared the
visitor center, contacted the Greenville Fire Department, notified
headquarters and threw the main breaker for the building.  The fire
department arrived within minutes and quickly had the fire under control. 
The source of the fire was identified as a short circuit in the fan of the
HVAC system.  Damage to the 17-year-old system was extensive; the fan area
was destroyed and the gas ignitor was damaged.  The visitor center reopened
later that day.  There was no damage to the interior or to museum objects. 
[Jim Small, CO, ANJO, 10/27]

98-694 - Shenandoah NP (VA) - Rescue

A 45-year-old woman fell near the summit of Old Rag Mountain on October 25th
and fractured her leg.  A twelve-person carryout team responded.  During the
evacuation, a small forest fire ignited in steep terrain along the trail
below the victim.  Rescuers and firefighters succeeded in keeping the trail
passable until she could be evacuated and transported to the hospital at the
University of Virginia.  The fire is of suspicious origin.  John Kinde was
IC.  [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 10/25]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Fire Handbook - The chair of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's
incident operations standards working team has just disseminated the
following information regarding revisions to chapter five (firefighting
safety) of the fireline handbook:  Field users who have ordered and now
possess January, 1998, versions of the handbook will be shipped a revised
chapter five by the end of this coming January.  It will be the
responsibility of each recipient to ensure distribution to firefighters. 
This is an important revision, and it is essential that the new chapter be
incorporated into all handbooks.  Customers who either have orders pending or
who need to order the 1998 handbook will receive their orders once the
corrected chapter is printed.   Inquiries and requests for revisions that
have not been received by January 31st may be directed to the Great Basin
cache supply office at 208-387-5104.  In order to facilitate a smooth and
trackable distribution of this critical item, do not make requests or
inquiries prior to this date.  [Paul Broyles, NPS/NIFC]

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

Dictaphone - Point Reyes NS has a Dictaphone Model 5500 dual tape-voice
recorder which can handle two tapes at once.  It's in good condition, but
needs minor repairs.  The acquiring park must pick up shipping costs. 
Contact Cliff Spencer at 415-663-8522 ext 242.  

                                *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please address requests
pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your servicing hub
coordinator.

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

                                 --- ### ---