National Capital Parks-East (DC)
Narcotics and Weapons Arrests
On the afternoon of February 16th, detective Todd Reid and detective
sergeant Art Jacobsen were in Anacostia Park when they saw a blue
Mercury Grand Marquis with tinted windows traveling between 55 and 60
miles per hour in an area posted at 20 mph. When they stopped and
approached the vehicle, they smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. The
driver repeatedly told the officers that he worked for the Park Police.
Investigation revealed that he was a tow truck driver for one of the
contract services utilized by USPP. Due to the heavy tint on the
windows, the detectives asked that the rear windows be lowered so they
could safely observe the rear passengers. This led to the emanation of
an even stronger smell of marijuana. The driver was very nervous and
kept placing his hands in his pockets after being told not to do so.
When asked about the smell of marijuana, he said that someone had smoked
in the vehicle the night before. Although probable cause had already
been established, the driver also gave consent to search the car. The
officers searched the two men in the rear and found that each was
carrying a loaded semi-automatic pistol — one had an Interarms
Firestar 9mm with seven rounds and the other a KBI-MBK 9mm with fourteen
rounds. Several bags of marijuana and crack cocaine were also
discovered. The driver had $1,284 in cash in his pocket. All three men
were arrested; two female passengers were released without charge. The
Park Police contract specialist was alerted to check for potential
contract violations as the driver was later found to be on parole for
armed carjacking. A USPP canine was utilized for a more thorough
search of the vehicle, with negative results.
[Submitted by
Commander, Planning and Development Unit]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
New "Lessons Learned" Publications
The latest edition of Scratchline, the lessons learned quarterly newsletter, has been posted on the Lessons Learned Center Web site at: http://www.wildfirelessons.net/Scratchline.htm. See Scratchline, Issue 7, Fall 2003.
This issue features lessons learned from the Southern California firestorm of 2003, part one about Fire Behavior and Fuels. Lessons in extreme fire behavior, transition to an urban conflagration, fire whirls, wind shifts, fuels, and effects of fuels programs and fuels treatments are discussed.
Also featured are lessons learned by Smokejumpers collected through interviews with jumpers from Idaho, Alaska and California. Smokejumpers discuss achieved successes (rookie training, seizing opportunity, trainer responsibilities and influence), overcoming a challenge (raising the bar, becoming a leader, incentive from others, making good decisions, recognizing abilities), and training curriculum recommendations (applicability of leadership training, how AARs improve training curricula, leadership styles and philosophies). Smokejumpers dispatched as a hand crew to Southern California also describe lessons learned from their experience.
[Submitted by Paula Nasiatka, Center Manager]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Bandelier National Monument (NM)
GS-1101-7 Fee Manager/GS-0303-5 VUA
Bandelier NM has issued two announcements. They are seeking interested and eligible permanent candidates for a lateral reassignment into a GS-7 fee and revenue business manager position. This is a permanent full time position. The person in this position supervises two permanent and one seasonal VUA and several VIP/campground hosts. He/she will directly manage the fee collection program at the park, including two entrance areas and two camping units, and program and budget duties for the operation. In addition, the park is accepting lateral reassignment and all sources applications for a GS-5 visitor use assistant position, which may be filled as a career-seasonal (subject to furlough) or full-time permanent position. The all sources announcement on USA Jobs is BAND-04-14 with a closing date of February 25th. Please note that there is a special pay rate in effect for this area for this position. Interested persons may apply through that announcement. Bandelier National Monument is located 45 miles from Santa Fe and 12 miles from Los Alamos, New Mexico. Good medical facilities, excellent schools and limited shopping are available in Los Alamos. The local cost of living is considered very high. Park housing may be available, with options ranging from three-bedroom houses to single efficiency apartments. If you are interested and eligible for either of these assignments, please email Carl_Newman@nps.gov or call 505-672-3861, extension 530, for additional information or to express interest.
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.