Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Security Breach at Hoover Dam, High-Speed Chase
A driver ran through a security checkpoint on the Nevada side of
Hoover Dam at a high rate of speed around 1 p.m. on May 1st. This
checkpoint is manned by a security firm that has contracted with the
Bureau of Reclamation. Hoover Dam police attempted to stop it before, on
and just off the dam, but had no luck. Calls went out via an interagency
dispatch center for Arizona DPS officers to help stop the vehicle, for
Las Vegas Metro PD officers to check the home of the vehicle's
registered owner, and for the park's law enforcement specialist to
assist with the eventual prosecution of the case. The chase continued
past the Arizona checkpoint (manned by a Hoover Dam contractor) and
finally concluded on Highway 93 when an Arizona DPS officer stopped the
vehicle with spike strips. The driver refused to get out, so DPS
officers broke a window and used pepper spray on him. This helped induce
him to exit the vehicle and he was arrested after a struggle. Charges
are pending. The park will help Hoover Dam Police with the overall
prosecution and will assist the U.S. Attorney's Office with the case.
[Submitted by Dale Antonich, Chief Ranger]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Building Evacuated Due to Suspicious Package
Interpretive rangers stationed inside the Independence Visitor Center
came upon what appeared to be an abandoned canvas bag around 11:30 a.m.
on April 25th. Attempts to locate the owner of the bag were fruitless,
so the 500 visitors and staff inside the building were evacuated. The
bag was tested with a park-owned explosive detection device with
negative results. Once screened, the bag was searched and found to
contain a substantial amount of food. The owner of the bag returned to
retrieve it from the building just after the evacuation was completed.
She said that she was afraid that her bag had caused an incident. She
was issued a violation notice and released.
[Submitted by Mike
Bremer, District Ranger]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Felony Vandalism
On the afternoon of April 25th, a ranger near Congress Hall saw a
young man "sticker bomb" a road sign — a process that involves
slapping a sticker on an object as you walk by, hoping no one observes
the act. The ranger stopped him and brought him into the security area
for follow-up and search. Searchers confiscated a fake driver's license
and many unused stickers, all pertaining to "Kaiju," an underground
wrestling organization involving "monsters." A list was also found that
named 30 locations in the downtown Philadelphia area. Interviewing led
to an admission that the individual had sticker bombed 15 of the
locations with approximately 100 stickers. City officers arrested him on
criminal mischief charges; he will be charged for each separate sticker
found, pending conclusion of their investigation. If more than three are
found, the charges become felonies. The NPS will cite him for false
identification and vandalism. The web-site www.kaiju.com promotes sticker bombing
and other acts of vandalism to advertiase their business. Follow-up
investigation on the web site indicated sticker bombing in other NPS
areas.
[Submitted by Jerry Tuma, Supervisory Park Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Friday, May 2, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
NOTE: NIFC is now releasing its reports by 0530 MDT instead of around mid-day, so the Morning Report and InsideNPS will begin carrying same-day postings instead of one or more days in arrears.
Ninety new fires were reported on Wednesday, and another 123 on Thursday. Only two large fires are reported uncontained this morning, both in Minnesota.
Three Type 2 teams remain committed to the Columbia Response. The entire 720,000 acre search area has now been completely searched; 37% of the shuttle weight has been recovered.
Fire Danger
| State |
4/28 |
4/29 |
4/30 |
5/1 |
5/2 |
| Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VH |
VX |
| Colorado |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VH |
-- |
| Indiana |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Massachusetts |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VH |
VX |
| Michigan |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Minnesota |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VH |
VX |
| N. Hampshire |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VH |
-- |
| New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
VX |
| Pennsylvania |
-- |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
A watch has been issued for strong southwest winds and low humidity for portions of northern Arizona.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
4/25 |
4/28 |
4/29 |
4/30 |
5/1 |
5/2 |
| Crews |
73 |
70 |
63 |
54 |
38 |
11 |
| Engines |
29 |
19 |
48 |
73 |
52 |
37 |
| Helicopters |
0 |
1 |
11 |
10 |
3 |
7 |
| Air Tankers |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Overhead |
1,494 |
1,492 |
1,351 |
1,356 |
1,130 |
952 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Incident/Fire |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| TX |
T2 |
Mollinex |
Columbia Response |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| TX |
T2 |
Swope |
" |
" |
" |
" |
| TX |
T2 |
Dietrich |
" |
" |
" |
" |
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Posts New Wildland Fire Outlook
Overall, the 2003 fire season will not be as severe as 2002. However, much of the interior West, south/central Alaska, portions of California, western Great Lake States and northern Maine is expected to experience an above normal fire season for the following reasons:
- Long-term drought persists over much of the interior West with mountain snowpack and winter precipitation remaining below average in many areas.
- Drought stressed and/or insect damaged vegetation is becoming more prevalent across the western states and will increase the potential for large, destructive wildfires at mid to high elevations.
- Several large fires have already occurred in the Great Lake States this spring due to limited winter snowfall, which left herbaceous fuels receptive to ignition. As spring progresses, peat fires in these areas are expected to be problematic due to dry conditions.
- Early snow melt is anticipated for Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and other areas which will cause large dead/downed fuel moistures to drop below critical values earlier than normal in higher elevation areas, resulting in an early and extended fire season.
- The Southern Area is expecting a below normal fire season through the remainder of their spring fire season. Forecasts continue to call for a very active tropical storm season, which could result in an above average number of hurricanes that could impact the area through the summer months.
- An early spring prescribed fire season is expected across many western states.
For full details, click on "More Information" below.
More Information...
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Visitor and Resource Protection
Memorandum: "Law Enforcement Shields and Credentials"
W34(FLETC)
April 29, 2003
Memorandum
To: Regional Directors
From: Acting Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection
Subject: Law Enforcement Shields and Credentials
As you know, the approval of the wearing of the National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement ranger shield and the issuance of the additional law enforcement credential case and shields brings with it a new and critical security issue.
Consequently, and in order to allow for a transition period, effective July 1, only the law enforcement ranger shield is authorized for wear by NPS commissioned personnel. As an interim measure, until the additional shields are received by NPS law enforcement personnel, the NPS "Buffalo Badge" may be worn on outerwear only. After this transition period, all NPS commissioned rangers will turn in their old badges to the appropriate office in the region or park where they are assigned.
Each commissioned ranger, including commissioned chief and regional chief rangers, will be issued a total of three (3) shields: two with a pin on the back for wear on the uniform and the other with a clip on the back for carrying in the credential case (law enforcement personnel should already possess one shield with a pin which counts toward the total). The metal law enforcement ranger shield will be worn on the "Dress A" uniform.
Additionally, commissioned rangers are authorized to wear the cloth shield patch on their uniform outerwear such as jackets and tactical vests. Only the metal shield may be worn with Service Dress (blouse or Ike) coats. Cost of the cloth shield patches will be borne by the region or park. Information regarding the purchase of the cloth shield patches can be obtained through the respective Regional Chief Ranger's Offices. Employees will ensure that the cloth patch shields will be affixed to outerwear in a professional manner so as not to detract from established uniform appearance standards.
The potential loss or disappearance of these strictly controlled law enforcement shields and credentials would have serious security consequences to both the NPS and all other law enforcement organizations with national security concerns. The importance of keeping these credentials and shields secure to prevent their loss or disappearance cannot be over-emphasized to commissioned employees and managers.
When an NPS law enforcement shield or credentials are lost or stolen, the following must take place as soon as the loss or theft is noted:
- It will be reported in the National Crime Information Center within 2 hours of being advised of the loss or theft.
- The loss or theft will be immediately reported to the Eastern Interagency Coordination Center (EICC) at Shenandoah National Park. EICC will immediately advise the Chief, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, and Superintendent, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
- A Board of Inquiry (BOI) will be initiated by the park (or region's) Senior Law Enforcement Official (SLEO). The SLEO will submit the BOI report to the Chief, Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, through their regional office within 30 days of the initial report including the Survey of Property forms.
- If it is determined that the loss or theft was due to negligence on the part of the commissioned employee, the supervisor shall take appropriate formal disciplinary action(s).
Please note that to date approximately 100 parks have responded to our request for a list of the law enforcement rangers that are in need of additional shields. FLETC staff are placing the first order with the vendor this week. If you have not done so, please request parks in your regions to submit orders as soon as possible through Bob Reid at FLETC, via email or fax, no later than May 1. If you need further information about ordering please contact Mr. Reid directly at 912/261-3758.
Thanks again for your continued support of this initiative.
/s/ Karen Taylor-Goodrich
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Isle Royale National Park (MI)
Detail Ranger Sought
The park is seeking a commissioned ranger interested in being detailed to the West District of the park for all or a portion of the summer operating season. Unexpected transfers have left the park short of law enforcement and emergency services staff for the busy season. The park will pay travel and salary costs for a qualified candidate. Rangers in the West District perform a full range of traditional services. This is a good opportunity to gain experience in both a maritime and wilderness setting. Priority consideration will be given to individuals with previous boating experience. If interested, contact district ranger Larry Kangas (Larry_Kangas@NPS.gov) or personnel officer Sara Rambo at 906-487-7143.
[Submitted by Peter Armington, 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.