Outer Banks Group
Follow-up on Winter Storm
Frigid temperatures, record setting snowfall and whiteout conditions
enveloped the Outer Banks Group this past Thursday, with snow falling at
a rate impressive even by New England standards. Facilities at the three
parks were closed, and ICS was put into operation. The 12 inches of snow
that fell on Cape Hatteras NS broke the old one-day record there of 8.2
inches recorded on December 23, 1989. Winds gusting to 35 mph and
sometime higher quickly piled the rapid snowfall into drifts of two to
three feet. Blizzard conditions persisted on the Outer Banks through
midday. As the weather cleared on Friday, the Big Kill Devil Hill at
Wright Brothers NM, used by the Wright brothers in glider testing,
turned into a sledding and "snow-surfboard" heaven for Outer Bank
flatlanders. Albemarle Sound, which banks Fort Raleigh NHS to the north
and west, froze to a point 100 feet out from shore by Friday morning.
Much more of the sound was expected to freeze on Friday night, as cold
temperatures continued.
[Submitted by Mary Doll]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Controlled Substance and Weapons Violations
When a ranger approached a man for public urination on park
headquarters around 2:40 a.m. on January 17, the man hurried to a friend
waiting in a nearby BMW. While reviewing the man's ID, the ranger
noticed an open container of alcohol in the car and saw the driver
furtively place something between his seat and the door. When the ranger
opened the driver's door, a bag containing marijuana fell to the ground.
Both men then jumped out of the BMW and fled in different directions.
The ranger chased and caught the driver and took him into custody. A
search of the BMW led to the recovery of a loaded Glock .40 caliber
pistol, which was found lying between the driver's door and seat. A
second plastic bag of marijuana matching the first was found on the
street near the car. The driver had an extensive criminal history in
Delaware, including numerous firearm, drug and associated violations. A
third bag, matching the first two, was found the next morning in a
window well of the First Bank of the United States near the point where
the driver was taken into custody. Since the subsequent violations
occurred off park property, the case was turned over to Philadelphia PD.
[Submitted by Katherine Korte, Law Enforcement Specialist]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities
This calendar appears every Monday as an addendum to the Morning Report and a separate entry for InsideNPS. It is not meant to be replace the Learning Place; rather it is a quick summary of available training with links (as available) to relevant Learning Place pages. Please note:
- New entries are in bold face.
- Submissions for other training courses should conform to the style used here.
- Please include the URL to the web sites where readers can obtain the requisite forms and/or find out additional information about the training course. If a URL is not specifically listed, the announcement can likely be found on the Learning Place, the NPS training page found at http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc.
- Closing dates for applications are underscored.
- Contact names are listed at the end of each entry with parentheses and are given as email addresses.
**********************************************************************************************
February
February 24 - 27: Second Annual NPS Dispatch Workshop, Boulder City, NV. There will be presentations on benchmark PD's, RM-9, narrowband P25 and digital radio systems, and standardization; a presentation by APCO has also been tentatively scheduled. Vendors from such companies as Orbacom, Positron, Motorola and others will be available to meet with workshop participants. The cost is $50 per participant. For more information, contact Dena Barnes or Bill Tynan via email or at 702-293-8998. [Dena_Barnes@nps.gov]
March
March 3 - March 7: Law Enforcement for Managers, FLETC, Glynco, GA. This training program is for upper level managers with supervisory or oversight responsibility for law enforcement programs. Topics include changes in federal law, NPS guidelines, DOI policies, internal investigations, ARPA/NAGPRA, civil and employee liability, ethics and conduct and the history of law enforcement in the NPS. Applications MUST go through your regional office. Closes on February 12. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 3 - March 7: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Atlanta, GA. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
March 17 - 21: Certified Structural Fire Officer Training, Headquarters, Glen Canyon NRA, UT. The course will provide participants with technical knowledge and leadership skills essential for command and control of emergencies using ICS. Topic include pre-planning, communications, decision-making, fire attack strategies and tactics, and logistical support functions. Skills will be reinforced and evaluated through dynamic group sessions and video simulations. Participants must meet the 'arduous' level of the work capacity test and comply with DO-57 of NFPA 1582, which covers medical requirements for firefighters. It's strongly recommended that applicants have proof of successful completion of the NPS certified firefighter course and the NPS pump operator course, or state equivalents, and that applicants submit copies of recent successful completion of hazmat awareness/operations, intermediate ICS (I-300), and fire operations in the urban interface (S-215). Tuition is $400. Closes on February 14. For additional information, call Lisa Ford (928-608-625) or Hal Spencer (208-387-5245) or contact them by email. [Harold_Spencer@nps.gov]
March 17 - March 28: Physical Security Training (PSTP-304), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Physical security systems and procedures. Announcement: http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/PSTP.304.doc. Closes on January 28. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 17: Search and Rescue Awareness, Mather Training Center, Harpers Ferry, WV. This course will provide a basic overview of SAR. Designed for employees who may participate in SAR operations, but do not have SAR as a primary function of their jobs. Closes on March 7. Fore more information, contact Randy Coffman at 202-513-7093. [Randy_Coffman@nps.gov]
March 18 - March 20: Basic Search and Rescue, Mather Training Center, Harpers Ferry, WV. This is a basic course that provides an introduction to SAR and provides the basic skills for working in a SAR operation, including tactics, communications, personal preparedness, and basic rescue skills. Designed for employees who will participate in SAR operations as a primary or secondary function of their jobs. Closes on March 7. Fore more information, contact Randy Coffman at 202-513-7093. [Randy_Coffman@nps.gov]
March 24 - March 28: National Wildfire Investigation Training (XP-NWITP-301A), Yakima Reservation, WA. Topics include determining fire causes and origins, processing crime scenes, arson laws, and investigative techniques. Announcement: http://www.nps.gov/training/announcement/XP-NWITP-301A.doc. Closes on February 14. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
April
April 7 - April 11: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Sacramento, CA. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
April 7 - May 16: Mounted Horse Patrol Training, Yosemite NP, CA. The course develops horsemanship skills for both frontcountry and backcountry stock use and is designed for employees with no previous riding skills. Participants should have jobs which require the use of horses and/or mules for patrol, maintenance or interpretive functions. Students should have an interest in the care and efficient utilization of horses or mules in park operations and be in excellent physical condition. The tuition is $300. One page nominations in park priority order should be sent to Billie Patrick, Mounted Patrol Supervisor, Yosemite NP, PO Box 517, Yosemite, CA 95389. For further information, contact Billie at 209-372-0240. Closes on March 1. [Billie_Patrick@nps.gov]
April 21 - April 25: Servicewide Basic Technical Rescue Training, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands NP, UT. The training course is designed for personnel who routinely evacuate injured or stranded persons from heights and difficult terrain. The course will provide participants with the skills to perform difficult technical rescues. Students will be required to bring climbing gear, including seat harness, climbing helmet, carabiners, rappel rack and ascenders. This is a very physically demanding course, conducted outdoors with frequent exposure to severe heights. All participants must be in good physical condition. Closes on March 3. For more information, contact Ken Phillips at 928-638-7792. [Ken_Phillips@nps.gov]
May
May 5 - May 9: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Salt Lake City, UT. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
May 5 - May 9: High Angle Rope Rescue Training, New River Gorge, WV. The course will focus on basic to advanced high angle rope rescue techniques. All participants must be in good physical condition and be able to spend extended periods of time on fixed ropes. Climbing ability is not necessary. For more information, contact ranger Rob Turan at 304-763-3145 ext. 14. [Rob_Turan@nps.gov]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Gettysburg National Military Park (PA)
GS-7/9 Protection Ranger
The park has a vacancy announcement open for a GS 7/9 protection ranger position (Level I law enforcement commission). The ranger in this position serves Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS. This is an enhanced annuity retirement system position. Primary duties include development of a good working knowledge of the park's resources and story and utilization of these and other protection ranger knowledge, skills and abilities to protect park resources and visitors. Since the park is located in several jurisdictions, the ranger selected to fill this position will work with a variety of state and local law enforcement organizations and fire agencies. Fire duties pertain to the protection of historic structures, including liaison with local VFD's and coordination of inspection and testing of detection and suppression systems. The announcement can be found on the USAJobs website (GETT-03-13); it closes on February 13. Please note: The job may be filled at the GS-7 or GS-9 level, so GS-9's should apply. Questions can be directed to Brion FitzGerald, the park's chief ranger, at 717-334-1124 ext. 434.
[Submitted by Brion FitzGerald, Chief Ranger]
Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)
GS-9 Protection Ranger
The park is currently seeking to fill a GS-9 ranger position through a lateral transfer. This position is open to any protection ranger at the GS-9 level or above; it's a 6c primary positions and requires a Level I commission and an EMT-B certificate. Occupancy is required, with housing in the headquarters area. The person who is selected will serve as a patrol ranger, with the opportunity to perform frontcountry and backcountry patrols by foot, mountain bike, vehicle and horseback. It's a great opportunity to perform resource-based law enforcement in a park with great land and water-based opportunities. If you're interested, send an application (OF-316 or SF-71) or resume, postmarked by February 23, to Anne Tisei, HR Officer, Point Reyes NS, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Questions should be directed to Steve Stinnett, operations supervisor, at 415-464-5273.
[Submitted by Colin Smith, Acting Chief Ranger]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.