Servicewide News
Follow-up on Operation Liberty Shield
The Type 1 team charged with coordinating the NPS response to the higher level of security brought about by the national response to increased threats of terrorism continues its work. Their focus over the past few days has been primarily on acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on its use:
- PPE Acquisition —In the interest of officer safety, the National Park Service has begun a program of providing personal protective equipment and training related to chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This is in response to needs identified in the field about the possibility, however remote, that such weapons could affect protection rangers, especially those assigned to duties at areas identified as key "icons" or critical infrastructure assets of the Department of the Interior. The program will include respirators, suits, gloves, boots, fit testing for respirators, required medical clearances, and associated training in accordance with existing standards. The IMT has conducted an exhaustive nationwide search for WMD PPE that meets NPS standards and is now purchasing this equipment. The orders include PPE for special event teams, US Park Police tactical units, and visitor protection staff at "icon" parks, plus equipment for personnel on rotation to icon parks and critical infrastructure assets. Parks that have orders already placed should not cancel their orders. The team is expecting to receive orders within three days. When the equipment is in hand, team members will call each park area and team individually to fill each order. Parks and teams can then cancel their outstanding orders. If any teams or parks have received their orders since the report of March 27th, please advise the IMT immediately at 540-999-3174. Paul Crawford, special agent at Lake Mead NRA, is designated as the IMT equipment advisor. He can be contacted at 702-293-8961 for questions regarding equipment standards and ordering information. FLETC will now train and issue PPE to all graduates of the basic training program. This will include fit testing to NPS standards. A memorandum from the Director's office will be issued regarding facial hair and fit testing. In summary, 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i) states that employers shall not permit respirators to be worn if there is any hair growth between skin and sealing surface. Please note that this will not include goatees or mustaches provided they do not interfere with the mask seal.
- PPE Training —A small work group led by "Oly" Olson, IMR safety officer, completed review of requirements for the mandatory eight-hour PPE training, evaluated sources of training systems, and assessed delivery methods to meet Servicewide training needs in the most economical manner. This is now fast-tracked for production and will be distributed through the NPS Telenet and VHS formats. The hope is to have this available by mid-April.
- PPE Testing — The team is working on the issue of quantitative fit testing.
Comments and questions about this update on PPE acquisition, fit
testing, and training should be directed to IMT operations at
540-999-3174. Please note the new phone number for IMT operations. The
ICP is now located at Shenandoah National Park. Also note that the IC is
now JD Swed, who can be reached at 540-999-3160 and faxed at
540-999-3155. Skip Brooks' team demobilizes today.
[Submitted by
Katie Lawhon, IO, Type 1 IMT]
Pinnacles National Monument (CA)
Rescue of Injured Contractor from Backcountry
Pinnacles NM (CA) — Rescue of Park Contractor
On the afternoon of March 21st, a member of the park's trail crew
reported that a fence-building contractor had been injured while working
along the northwest boundary. J.M. apparently tore the ACL in
his right knee while carrying fence pickets down a steep grade. Due to
the remote location and extremely rugged terrain, it took park rescue
personnel two-and-a-half hours to reach J.M., who was about three
miles out from the crew's wilderness spike camp. An alternative
evacuation route was chosen for the carryout that required a mile of
off-trail travel through thick chaparral and four miles of travel on the
unmaintained North Wilderness trail. The primary response team was
joined by a second team comprised of employees from all park divisions
around 9:30 p.m. The rescue took over 13 hours and the assistance of
more than 15 members of the park's staff. This was the longest known
carryout (9 miles) in park history.
[Submitted by Neal Labrie,
Supervisory Park Ranger/IC]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Wednesday, April 2, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
Nine of the 274 new fires reported on Tuesday escaped initial attack and became large fires. One was in Texas, two were in Arkansas and the remainder were in Oklahoma. High winds, low relative humidity and high temperatures were reported on most of them.
Three Type 1 teams and two Type 2 teams are now committed to the Columbia Response recovery effort. A total of 408,544 acres have been searched to date.
Fire Danger
| State |
3/25 |
3/26 |
3/27 |
3/28 |
3/31 |
4/1 |
4/2 |
| California |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Colorado |
-- |
-- |
VH |
VH |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Illinois |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
EX |
| Indiana |
VH |
-- |
VH |
VH |
-- |
-- |
VH |
| Kentucky |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VH |
| Missouri |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VH |
VH |
| Oklahoma |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VH |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
3/25 |
3/26 |
3/27 |
3/28 |
3/31 |
4/1 |
4/2 |
| Crews |
172 |
176 |
160 |
161 |
160 |
176 |
167 |
| Engines |
29 |
68 |
59 |
37 |
15 |
49 |
42 |
| Helicopters |
4 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
| Air Tankers |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Overhead |
2,308 |
2,147 |
2,241 |
2,618 |
2,594 |
2,572 |
2,581 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Incident/Fire |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| TX |
T1 |
Studebaker |
Columbia Response |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| TX |
T1 |
Anderson |
" |
" |
" |
" |
| TX |
T1 |
Gelobter |
" |
" |
" |
" |
| TX |
T2 |
Houseman |
" |
" |
" |
" |
| TX |
T2 |
Gray |
" |
" |
" |
" |
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA)
Strong Winds Push Wildland Fire
A low pressure system over the Great Basin caused another bout of strong and dry winds with high temperatures in southern California last weekend. The Sycamore Fire broke out, due to downed power lines, within the boundaries of the national recreation area at approximately 2:00 pm on March 28. No federal land was affected as the fire burned in Point Mugu State Park. Although it's within the legislated boundary, Point Mugu is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR). A total of 120 acres burned; most of that by 5:00pm on the 28th. The fire was declared contained at midnight on 3/29, and controlled (out) at approx. 2:00pm that same day. There were no injuries; two out-buildings, including an unoccupied trailer previously used for park housing, were destroyed. No other notable resource damage has been reported. No bulldozers were used; additional hand crews were sent to the scene instead. While it took a little longer to contain, this method caused much less damage to the land. Significantly, the region has received it's average of rain for the season (15") and vegetation is green and lush. This fire gained ground due to the so-called "Santa Ana" winds, which bring low humidity and high temperature values along with strong and gusty winds.
Point Mugu was closed during the incident; it was fully opened by March 30. Several NPS law enforcement and interpretation staff assisted in closing trailheads and informing visitors of the fire activity. The Ventura County FD took the lead in managing the incident; they were assisted by units from the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service (Angeles NF), Dept. of Defense, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Los Angeles County FD and CDPR. There were 350 people who responded to the fire. Media interest was high.
Marty O'Toole, Fire Education/Prevention/Information Specialist
[Submitted by Marty O'Toole, marty_o'toole@nps.gov, 805-370-2364]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
New NPS Honor Guard Begins Training
On Thursday, March 20th, the members of the National Park Service Honor Guard completed their first week of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
The ten team members, shown above in front of the FLETC fallen officer's memorial, come from parks around the nation to represent the National Park Service. Their first week of training included assisting the current NPRI class in preparing for their graduation, in addition to rigorous training in the duties and procedures of an Honor Guard.
The Honor Guard's first official appearance will be a posting of the colors at the Southeast Regional Chief Ranger's Conference in April. The team will also be attending National Police Week in May to honor the three fallen officers, Kris Eggle, Tom O'Hara, and Randy Morgenson, whose names will be inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial this year.
Thanks to Paul Henry and his FLETC staff for getting this Honor Guard started, and to Team Leader Dana Condron and assistant team leader James Monroe for their hard work in training the team this past week. Stay tuned for more information on the Honor Guard on the NPS website.
[Submitted by Lena Boesser-Koschmann]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
GS-1701-9 Education Specialist/GS 025-9 Park Ranger
Dates: 04/03/2003 - 04/21/2003
This position, which is open to all sources, will be filled as either a GS-1701-09 Education Specialist or GS-0025-09 Park Ranger. This position serves as the Education Coordinator, who plans, leads, develops and implements the growing education program for the park and the Discovery Center. The new Discovery Center, with its computer lab, classroom, and outdoor activity stations, offers in-depth educational opportunities. The ability to form partnerships with the 20 school districts, city agencies, and educational museums is essential to enhance the park's education program. For additional information applicants may contact Elizabeth Dupree, Chief of Interpretation at 210-534-8875 ext.227 or elizabeth_dupree@nps.gov.
[Submitted by Elizabeth Dupree, elizabeth_dupree@nps.gov, 210-534-8875]
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.