Lincoln Home National Historic Site (IL)
Knife Assault on Ranger
Ranger Pete Swisher was called to the park's visitor center on the
afternoon of October 24th to investigate a possibly mentally ill person.
The man, R.H., was leaving the building and heading for
Lincoln Home when Swisher arrived. Swisher saw him approach two women,
stand directly next to them, and stare into their faces. The women told
Swisher that he was bothering them, so Swisher approached him and asked
for identification. R.H. became agitated and started walking away;
Swisher followed and called Springfield PD for assistance. R.H.
continued to ignore repeated orders to stop. When he tried to enter an
apartment building directly across the street from the park, Swisher
attempted to stop him by grabbing his arm. R.H. then pulled a knife
from his pocket and lunged at Swisher, attempting to stab him. Swisher
was able to deflect the knife blade and sprayed R.H. with OC spray.
The spray caused enough disruption to allow Swisher to partly close a
door to prevent R.H. from getting another clear opportunity to use his
knife. R.H. continued to wave the knife in the air in Swisher's
direction, despite the OC spray. As responding offices arrived, R.H.
ran to the second floor of the apartment building. Swisher and two
officers pursued him at gunpoint. R.H. refused numerous orders to drop
the knife, but eventually threw it to the floor. He was then arrested.
Due to R.H.'s apparent mental condition, it was decided he would best
be charged with disorderly conduct and aggravated assault by the state.
R.H. was released on October 25th, then arrested again for another
offense by a Springfield officer trained as a member of the Central
Illinois Crisis Intervention Team. This time he was processed through
the hospital. He remains in custody and is undergoing an evaluation at a
local facility. [Kathy DeHart, Chief of Operations]
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Smuggling Interdiction
Rangers tracked drug backpackers about seven miles through the park's
backcountry on November 9th and eventually came upon a group of ten
smugglers. One was captured; the other nine were able to get away due to
the rugged terrain and lack of air support. A cache of 428 pounds of
marijuana was found in backpacks a short distance away. A small amount
of methamphetamine and paraphernalia were also found. Backpackers
commonly use methamphetamine to fortify themselves while carrying the
large loads across long distances.
[Submitted by Bo Stone, Park
Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Director/Deputy Directors
Director Announces Major Changes In Competitive Review Process
I have some exciting news regarding how the NPS is implementing competitive reviews.
I am pleased to announce that I have requested and received approval to classify fee collectors and park guides as "core to the mission" which means that these positions are not subject to competitive review. Fee collectors and park guides join all rangers, including law enforcement, interpretive, and supervisory rangers, as well as a significant number of other positions that are already classified as "inherently governmental." All of these positions are exempted from competitive reviews.
The NPS will further improve the competitive review process by exercising the full flexibility embodied in the May 2003 revision to OMB circular A-76 while remaining consistent with the President's Management Agenda. This flexibility allows the NPS to conduct preliminary planning reviews with the assistance of outside industry expertise to assure that we have the best, most efficient organizations (MEOs) and operations in place. Once we conduct these preliminary reviews, the NPS Director will determine if a fully advertised study is needed — only after this determination would we initiate a comparison or competition with the private sector.
The NPS will use these MEOs and other tools and processes to most effectively align our functions and employees. We have the decision-making control over how to best organize ourselves and we will make the determination whether a full study is needed. These internal management reviews will help to make the NPS the "best we can be" organizationally.
We will use this new approach on 600 jobs (FTE) in this fiscal year which will meet our commitment to the President's Management Agenda.
I believe there is always room for improvement within any organization and the National Park Service is no exception.
We will share more detailed information on the NPS' next steps in competitive review process over the next weeks and months through a variety of media and through meetings with the parks and programs involved.
I was pleased to share this news with the Association of National Park Rangers and the Association of National Park Maintenance Employees (ANPR/ME) at their joint meeting November 11, and appreciated their warm welcome.
Together, I believe we will become even better stewards and better public servants as a result of the preliminary planning efforts we will conduct. I truly believe this will allow us to continue the proud tradition of wearing the "green and the gray."
I always say that employees of the National Park Service are our best asset. I believe in you and I believe we will continue to demonstrate to the American public that we are the most competitive organization possible.
I look forward to working with you on this and want to hear your thoughts as we move forward.
Visitor and Resource Protection
Memorandum: "Recruiting for Positions on the National Wilderness Steering Committee"
Memorandum
To: Regional Directors
Regional Associate Directors for Operations
Wilderness Park Superintendents
From: Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection Karen Taylor-Goodrich
Subject: Recruiting for Positions on the National Wilderness Steering Committee
Nominations Due by: November 21, 2003
Please advise Superintendents and Wilderness Coordinators at parks with designated, recommended, or proposed wilderness that the National Wilderness Steering Committee (NWSC) is now recruiting for several vacant positions on the committee. These include committee positions for:
- Superintendent
- Park Wilderness Program Manager/Coordinator
- Trails/Facility Management
- Ranger/Law Enforcement
General Information About the NWSC: The purpose of the 12-15 member NWSC is to assist the NPS Directorate in their stewardship of the Service's wilderness resources. Members normally serve a 3-year term. The Committee meets twice a year (spring and fall) at locations throughout the country. Members may be assigned specific tasks and responsibilities and will be expected to respond to work assignments in a timely manner.
Cost Sharing: Individuals interested in membership on the NWSC need to be able to absorb approximately half of the travel and per diem costs involved with attending the two (1-3 days each) meetings per year. The NWSC provides an account number to cover its share of the costs, and members handle the paperwork associated with meeting attendance.
Application: Applicants should send a Lotus Notes message to their Regional Director that:
- Identifies the position for which they wish to apply.
- Provides basic contact information including: name, current title and grade, telephone and fax numbers and park address.
- Briefly describes their past and current wilderness management responsibilities and experiences.
- Provides an indication of their ability to absorb at least half of the costs for meeting attendance. (Candidates who cannot absorb these costs will not automatically be eliminated from consideration).
- Briefly provides any other information they feel might be useful in helping the Committee to assess their potential for helping the NPS improve its wilderness stewardship program.
Selection Process: Regional Directors are asked to forward their region's nominations to the Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection with copies to Wilderness Program Manager Wes Henry. The NWSC will review the pool of nominations received and make recommendations to the Associate Director who will make the final selection in consultation with the involved Regional Directors.
Due Date: All nominations should be forwarded November 21, 2003. Electronic copies are sufficient.
Thank you for your interest in the NPS National Wilderness Steering Committee and in improving the National Park Service's stewardship of its wilderness resources.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Bandelier National Monument (NM)
Supervisory FMO
Dates: 11/10/2003 - 12/01/2003
Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, New Mexico is recruiting for a Supervisory Fire Management Officer, GS-0401-12.
Area of consideration: GOVERNMENTWIDE
STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Superintendent, incumbent serves as Fire Management Officer for Bandelier National Monument. Manages and implements wildland fire management, prescribed fire, urban interface and aviation operations. Is responsible for development, planning, integration and application of fire science methods and practices in the Monument's fire program. Supervises a permanent staff of (1) Fire Management Specialist, GS-11, (1) Fire Program Assistant, GS-06, (2) Supervisory Forestry Technicians, GS-07, (1) Forestry Technician (Helitak) and (1) Supervisory Fire Effects Specialist, GS-09. Directs and coordinates staff specialists in all wildland fire management, prescribed fire management, fire aviation operations and fire support dispatching activities. Develops long term plans for wildland fire management and fire suppression. Will serve in fire interagency committees and consultant for other Parks within the Pueblo Parks Group.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING MAY BE AVAILABLE.
AREA INFORMATION: Bandelier National Monument is comprised of over 32,817 acres, including a designated wilderness area of 23,267 acres and an 800-acre detached archeological section. The Monument was created to preserve the numerous archeological features of a late prehistoric period, which represents the transition of the Pueblo Indians from the prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan to modern traditions. Annual visitation exceeds 350,000. The Monument is located 45 miles from Santa Fe, 32 miles from Espanola, and 12 miles from Los Alamos. Elevation ranges from 5,300 to 10,199 feet with headquarters located at 6,000 feet. Good medical facilities, schools and shopping are available in Los Alamos. Local cost of living is considered high. For more information please see Bandelier's website: www.nps.gov./band.
Please visit the web site http://www.vla.com for additional area information.
[Submitted by HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE, 505/672-3861, EXT. 506]
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.