Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Shots Exchanged in Border Incident
The occupants of two vehicles driving on the Mexican side of the
international border across from the park exchanged gunfire just after 1
p.m. on Friday, January 9th. This gunfight took place less than 30 feet
from the point where contract construction crews were installing a
border barrier along the park's south boundary. Witnesses reported that
about 15 shots were fired. The construction crew sought cover and the
two "Operation Safeguard" REACT teams from the Pacific West Region SET
team responded immediately and evacuated the workers. There were no
injuries. Cover was provided by rangers in an NPS observation post and
the crew of an Arizona ANG helicopter that had been diverted from an NPS
interdiction operation. They also tracked the movement of the vehicles
as they headed away from the border into the town of Sonoyta. Visual
contact was eventually lost; although Mexican authorities were notified
immediately, they were not able to reach the scene before both vehicles
disappeared. It's not known whether any apprehensions were made by
Mexican police.
[Submitted by Fred Patton, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Plan Poster Session Registration
Poster displays are being solicited for National Fire Plan Conference and Wildland Fire 2004. Co-sponsored by the IAWF, the IAFC, the USDA Forest Service and the US Department of the Interior, this conference will bring together fire service leaders at the local, state and federal levels to address a critical problem facing fire departments all over the world - the wildland/urban interface. Displays should contain program or project
information focusing on success in the following areas:
- Community Assistance (e.g., Volunteer Fire Depts., FIREWISE, Economic Action Programs)
- Rehabilitation and Restoration
- Fuels Projects
- Research Supporting the National Fire Plan
- Preparedness (e.g., hiring, outreach, equipment)
questions and provide additional information regarding their display during published Exhibit Hall Hours.
When preparing your poster, the title should be exactly the same as the abstract and information submitted with this application. Posters should include program description/abstract, introduction, key points, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and literature cited. They may also include, but are not limited to, illustrations, photographs, diagrams and maps. Most data are best represented with figures rather than
tables. If you use tables, they should include no extraneous information. Text should be easily readable from a distance of 4 feet. It is recommended that the following minimum font sizes be used: title 84 pt.; author(s) and institution(s) 42 pt.; section headings 30 pt.; text 24 pt. Authors will be supplied with push pins or clear, removable tape depending on the poster board surface. No other tapes or adhesives will be permitted.
The cost for poster displays will be covered by the USDA Forest Service and the US Department of the Interior. Presenters are entitled to an entry in the Exhibitor Listing, and one Exhibit Hall Only Badge.
Information regarding display set-up/break-down, Exhibit Hall hours, shipping, and stand assignment will be mailed from the IAFC prior to the start of the show. Badges will available for pick-up onsite.
Please note that poster displays are limited to non-profit organizations only.[Submitted by Robin, exhibits@iafc.org, 703-273-0911] More Information...
OPERATIONAL NOTES
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
TSA Policies on Flying with Weapon
The periodic heightening of security across the country, as occurred last month, has meant that more rangers are flying to and from homeland security assignments. In order to avoid problems, NPS/FLETC has prepared the following reminder on key elements of TSA policies and procedures for flying armed:
- In order to fly armed, rangers are required to have completed the TSA flying armed course. This course is not required if firearms are transported in checked baggage, but is required if the ranger will be armed when flying. This course is available by contacting the NPS office at FLETC. Annual refresher training is advised.
- When carrying a firearm in checked baggage (the baggage that is carried in the baggage compartment of the plane), the firearm must be declared at check-in at the ticket counter. E-ticketing won't permit this — a form will be provided by the airline and must be completed at the ticket counter. Airline paperwork will accompany the firearm in the checked baggage. The firearm should be carried unloaded, preferably with the slide separated from the frame, in a hard-sided container in the luggage. Ammunition may be carried in the same suitcase, but the firearm may not be loaded. The pistol's hard-sided container is to prevent an accidental discharge caused by other items in the suitcase coming in contact with the firearm. Travelers should note that TSA security may require luggage to be checked unlocked — meaning that suitcase locks may be required to be open on the baggage carrying the firearm. Travelers should provide for extra time in the ticket line to complete this paperwork.
- When carrying a firearm in the passenger compartment, all requirements and procedures from the TSA flying armed course should be followed, from checking in at the ticket counter and completing required paperwork to making proper notifications with airport and airline personnel throughout the boarding process.
Changes in flying armed procedures are becoming more frequent. NPS/FLETC will offer an update to those parks participating in the FLETC distance-learning refresher later this year. Questions regarding flying armed procedures and training can be directed to FLETC lead instructor Greg Jackson at Greg_Jackson@nps.gov or by calling 912-280-5252.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Big Bend National Park (TX)
District Ranger Cary Brown Retires
Cary Brown, district ranger for the park's Chisos District, retired on January 3rd after a distinguished 27-year career with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Brown began his federal career in 1974 with the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. From 1974 through 1983, he worked in Alaska as a wildland firefighter, trespass investigator, outdoor recreation planner and as the BLM's branch chief for wilderness and outdoor recreation. Brown briefly left the federal government from 1983 to 1986 to work as a private outfitter and guide on the wilderness rivers of western Alaska. In 1986 Brown began his long association with the National Park Service, serving as a Park Ranger at Yukon-Charley Rivers NP in Eagle, Alaska. He moved to Buffalo NR in Arkansas as a district ranger in 1988 and remained there through 1991. In 1991, the north beckoned once again and Brown moved back to Alaska to serve as the chief for the division of cultural resources and subsistence at Yukon- Charley Rivers NP through 1993, then as a park ranger and management assistant at Katmai NP&P. In 1997, he moved to Big Bend as DR for the Chisos District. Throughout his career, Brown lived and worked in some of America's most treasured wilderness lands. He fought forest fires throughout Alaska and the lower 48 states, rising through the fire ranks to become a division supervisor and a safety officer on an incident management team assigned to fires and the recovery efforts following the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. As a career law enforcement ranger, Brown investigated homicides and other crimes against people, poaching incidents and other resource crimes, and single-handedly seized over six tons of drugs, apprehending smugglers on the Mexican border at Big Bend. Brown also received training as a park medic and EMT during his career, providing emergency medical care to hundreds of visitors in the parks where he worked. "Cary has lived the adventures of a lifetime in some wonderful parks and devoted much of his life to preserving these places," said chief ranger Mark Spier. "He has the ability to motivate employees and find rational solutions to the challenges facing Park Rangers on a daily basis. The National Park Service is very fortunate to have had Cary in its ranks. His outstanding contributions to the 'art and science of rangering' have greatly influenced the next generation of park rangers and he leaves a legacy of excellence."
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.