Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM)
Smoke Leads To Closure Of Park VC
The park's visitor center was found to be filled with smoke at
8 a.m. on Sunday, April 25th. The building
was temporarily closed and Carlsbad FD was summoned for assistance. The
park's elevator mechanics found that a skunk had gotten into one of the
electric switch boxes and had caused it to arc. The singed animal was
the cause of all the smoke. The power to the switch boxes was turned off
and a call made to the local electric company to turn off the power to
the park. Once the power was down, elevator mechanic Joe Davis removed
the remains of the deceased skunk from the switch box. The box was then
cleaned and power was restored. The doors and windows of the visitor
center were opened to dissipate the smoke and the building reopened at
11 a.m.There were no injuries or other
problems associated with this incident. Responding outside agencies
included the state police, Whites City VFD, Carlsbad FD, and Joel VFD.
Ranger Al Johnson was IC.
[Submitted by Bridget Eisfeldt,
Public Affairs Officer]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Montezuma Castle National Monument (AZ)
Jack Beckman Retires After 30 Years As Volunteer
Jack Beckman recently retired after approximately 30 years of volunteer service with the National Park Service.
Following a career as a state employee in California, he began working in the Park Service as a seasonal ranger at Montezuma Well, a detached site of Montezuma Castle National Monument, then began volunteering on a daily basis at the well.
Jack will be remembered for his passionate love of Montezuma Well and his dedication to the Service's concept of preservation. In May, 2001, Jack was presented with IMR Director Karen Wades "Shoulder to Shoulder" award in honor of his outstanding service to both park visitors and to the goals and values represented by the National Park Service.
Jack gave numerous presentations on cultural and natural history topics to school groups, private tour groups, special interest groups and visitors coming to the monument. With his avid interest and participation with the American Rock Art Association, Jack would often make replicates of petroglyphs which he would share with school groups, enhancing their appreciation of the importance of these priceless artifacts. He also wrote a history of Montezuma Well that became a valuable research tool for monument staff.
After retiring from a career with the State of California Department of Revenue, Jack and his wife Delores moved to The Verde Valley of Arizona and began their love affair with this unique site, spanning over 30 years.
Visitors to Montezuma Well remember Jack's enthusiasm and love of the well. Many remember being regaled with a special song he would share, always in perfect pitch.
Because of health issues at the age of 94, Jack left Arizona to live with his son in California.
Anyone who remembers Jack and would like to correspond with him can reach him at Montezuma Castle National Monument, Attn: Jack Beckman, PO Box 219, Camp Verde, AZ 86322.
[Submitted by mary ontiveros, mary_ontiveros@nps.gov, 9285675276x221]
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.