Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Human Remains Found on Lake Bottom
Just after noon on November 30th, two recreational SCUBA divers
reported finding what appeared to be human remains in 66 feet of water
near Hemenway Point in Lake Mead. The two divers, who were training for
a deep water certificate, reported passing over what first appeared to
them as trash on their way to deeper water. Two park divers were
immediately dispatched but were unable to locate the remains. A
comprehensive search operation began the next morning with a total of
seven divers. Within a few hours, the divers found the site, confirmed
that they were human remains, and recovered them after the underwater
site was surveyed and documented. Rangers, special agents, and the
county coroner's office continue to investigate. The discovery has
resulted in significant media coverage, and the park has received
several phone calls from people who claim that they have family members
who have yet to be found or recovered from the lake. [Billy Shott,
Supervisory Ranger]
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Two Smuggling Incidents
On Tuesday, November 30th, rangers were apprised of a probable
smuggling drive-through in Aguajita Wash, which extends for about ten
miles into the park's wilderness. Tire spikes were placed on the track,
which caused the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder to stop. The driver and
passenger, both suspected illegal aliens, were arrested; they and the
vehicle were turned over to the Border Patrol. On the following
Saturday, another drive-through was reported on the Victoria Mine trail
system. The vehicle's tires were blown out by spike strips and it was
stopped after a short pursuit. Rangers were unable to apprehend the
driver, who fled into the desert, but did seize the vehicle.
[Submitted by Grant Stolhand, Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Director/Deputy Directors
Statement on US Park Police
The National Park Service released the following statement to the media on Friday afternoon:
"U. S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers has been placed on administrative leave.
"Because this is an administrative personnel issue, we have no additional comment at this time. Deputy Chief Ben Holmes is acting as the Chief of the U.S. Park Police.
"The proud and honored traditions of the USPP date back to 1791. The core mission of the Park Police has always been to protect our visitors, as well as the symbols of American democracy.
"That core mission has grown through the years and today includes broad law enforcement responsibilities in three cities (Washington, DC; New York City, NY; and San Francisco, CA). Since the Oklahoma City bombing, and the events of September 11, we have bolstered security at nearly all of the 388 National Park Service sites across the Nation.
"Over the past 8 years the USPP operational budget has increased by 55%, adjusted for inflation. In FY 1998 & 1999 funding totaling over $ 20 million supported a new helicopter and hanger, and the rehabilitation of the Anacostia facilities. In FY 2003 an additional $ 13 million was provided to double the number of annual recruit classes, and to accommodate heightened security needs.
"The management of the National Park Service is proud of the men and women of the U.S. Park Police and supports their continued efforts to secure our National treasures while providing for the safety of our visitors."
[Submitted by Don Murphy, Deputy Director]
Visitor and Resource Protection
2004 National Law Enforcement Refresher Notice Rescinded
On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Morning Report and InsideNPS carried a premature release of draft guidance on the annual law enforcement refresher training for next year. Although the information contained in the announcement was substantially correct and reflects the agency's intent for the future, additional input is needed on how and when the training will be implemented in the field. It is therefore rescinded. Parks/regions should continue planning for their 2004 refreshers as before. The Washington Office will be consulting with regional offices on procedures for meeting the outlined training objectives. Definitive guidance will then be transmitted via a memorandum from the Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
[Submitted by Don Coelho, Chief, Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services]
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 and revised 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.
**********************************************************************************************
January
January 5 — January 15: Driver Instructor Training (DITP-402), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on December 9th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
January 9 — January 11: National Registry EMT-Basic Refresher, Furnace Creek Inn, Death Valley NP, CA. $125 per student. For additional information, contact Laura_Wilvert@nps.gov, or call her at 760-786-3295. [Dennis Burnett, LE&ES/WASO]
January 26 — January 30: Law Enforcement for Managers (LEM-401), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on December 12th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
January 26 — February 6: Physical Security (PSTP-403), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on December 19th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
January 26 — February 6: Physical Fitness Coordinator Training (PFCTP-402), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on December 19th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
January 27 — January 29: National Emergency Medical Services Conference, San Diego, CA. This training will provide participants with the latest updates on contemporary standards of pre-hospital patient care, instruction in the application of NPS EMS policy, and the coordination of EMS programs within the parks. Specific topics to be addressed include Director's Order 51, Reference Manual 51, the NPS EMS field manual, EMS program coordination, NPS national standard protocol development, the National Registry of EMT's, EMS data management, patient care reports, the NPS white card, medical-legal issues, and a presentation by the national NPS EMS medical advisor. An EMS medical advisor meeting will preceded the training conference — it will take place on the afternoon of January 25th and all day on the 26th. Nominations must be received by December 29th. For more information, contact Randy Coffman, Chief, Emergency Services, WASO at 202-513-7093. [Randy Coffman]
February
No entries.
March
March 1 — March 5: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), FLETC, Glynco, GA. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
March 1 — March 12: Special Operations (SPECOPS-401), FLETC, Tucson, AZ. Training for personnel who are directly involved with special law enforcement operations in the National Park Service. It is intended for those who are actually engaged in such enforcement activities, including terrorism and security, counter-narcotics, and anti-poaching. Includes tactical firearms exercises and training in anti-terrorism concepts and planning, ground/aerial surveillance techniques, use of technical equipment, team building, resource violation scenarios, tactical tracking skills, physical fitness, and officer survival. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on January 9th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
March 30 — April 1: Colt M-16/AR-15 Rifle/Carbine/Submachine Gun Armorer's School, Delaware Water Gap NRA, Bushkill, PA. Those attending will be provided with a complete understanding of the design theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance and troubleshooting of the M-16/AR-15 family of weapons and certified for three years as a model-specific Colt law enforcement armorer. The course if for LE personnel only. Cost: $375. The closing date for applications is February 29th. For additional details, contact Mike Zirwas, park ranger, at 570-588-2436 or contact him via email. [Mike Zirwas, DEWA]
April
April 19 — April 23: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Colorado Springs, CO. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
May
May 10 — May 14: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Prescott, AZ. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
May 24 — May 28: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Redmond, OR. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
June
June 7 — June 11: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Missoula, MT. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
June 14 — June 18: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Boise, ID. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
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.