Servicewide
Flags to Return to Full Staff
Since Pope John Paul II will be interred today (Friday, April 8th),
the White House has directed that all flags be returned to full staff as
of sunset. This applies to flags that are illuminated and fly through
the night. All other flags will be returned to full staff effective
Saturday morning.
INCIDENTS
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Follow-up on Flood Recovery
The remaining closed section of Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area, extending from Bushkill Falls Road in Bushkill
to Route 739 at Dingmans Ferry, reopened on Wednesday evening. The park
also opened three roads in New Jersey — Route 615 from Pompey Road
to Flatbrookville, Old Mine Road from Millbrook Village through
Worthington State Forest to I-80, and Blue Mountain Lake Road and
Skyline Road from Old Mine Road to Crater Lake. River Road in
Pennsylvania will remain closed until further notice. Meanwhile, the
National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for one to two inches
of rain from late Thursday night through Friday. The Delaware River is
expected to rise, but "water levels which were reached earlier this week
are not expected." The park is making the necessary preparations for
coping with any related problems. Yesterday, the park received a note of
commendation for a rescue that took place last Sunday. At the height of
the flood, rangers Mark Hnat, Mike Croll and Mike Fernalld checked in on
an 89-year-old woman who resides in the park under a reservation-of-use
permit. They found that she was becoming stranded in her house by the
rapidly rising Delaware River, so donned immersion suits, paddled to the
house in a canoe, and rescued her and her dog. Once the river receded,
she was returned home and electricians Paul Kimsey and Steve Simister
worked to get her power back on. Her son subsequently sent the following
message to the park, a testament both to their efforts and to the work
done by so many others during this emergency: "I want to thank all the
(park) employees who helped my mother...during the flood of April 3,
2005. I understand the crews probably had dozens of other jobs to handle
and were operating in a crisis mode...The recreation area is blessed
with a team of truly empathetic, professional, generous rangers,
dispatchers and maintenance crew members....Please pass along my thanks
not only to the Walpack area staffers who helped us, but also to their
superiors. They all get my vote for Congressional Medals of Honor!"
[Submitted by Bill Halainen, Information Officer]
War In The Pacific National Historical Park (GU)
Follow-up on Theft of Government Property
On April 5th, I.T. was sentenced to a term of 21 months in
jail for theft of government property from the park and for revocation
of his supervised release. On December 9, 2003, I.T. burglarized the
park's maintenance/administrative compound and removed government
property. At the time the incident occurred, I.T. was on supervised
release by the U.S Probation Office, District of Guam, and was
performing community service in the park. I.T. received a 10 month
sentence for the burglary and 11 months for the revocation of his
supervised release. He will then be placed on supervised release for an
additional thee years. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the
amount of $8,030.05. [Submitted by Scott Hinson, SAC, Pacific West
Region]
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (MD)
Park Hosts Miss USA Pageant Filming
In partnership with city and state agencies, the park last week
hosted an NBC production crew to film state representatives in the
upcoming Miss USA pageant. The park was chosen to represent one of only
six Baltimore and Maryland heritage sites and attractions to be featured
during the national broadcast in Baltimore on April 11th. Park
staff worked closely with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
to offer film locations in the park for introductory broadcast segments
for five representatives on Saturday, March 26th. On Sunday, March 27th,
contestants from twenty-five states participated in a ranger program
highlighting Fort McHenry's role in the Battle of Baltimore and birth of
the National Anthem. Film footage of both visits will be featured
during the pageant broadcast. This project is typical of efforts of park
staff and city and state partners to promote Baltimore and Maryland
heritage, and park themes and special events.
[Submitted by Charles
Strickfaden, Chief Ranger]
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Teenager
Killed in Fall
At about 6:30 p.m. on April 5th, dispatchers received notice that a
young man had fallen off rocks while hiking near White Rock Wash.
Rangers and Mohave County Sheriff's Office personnel responded and found
that the 17-year-old Las Vegas boy had died in the fall. J.K. and
two friends had been hiking when he decided to attempt to scale a
wall. He was not using any climbing gear or safety equipment of
any kind. J.K. reached a point where he could no longer go up the face
of the rock. He was attempting to climb back down when he fell about 75
feet to his death. This area of the park is popular among hikers who
visit the Arizona Hot Springs on Lake Mohave. White Rock Wash is located
in Arizona and can be accessed at about mile marker 5 on U.S. 93 (south
of Hoover Dam). This is the park's fourth fatality this year. [Submitted
by Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
UPCOMING TRAINING
This listing is updated every Friday. It is not meant to replace any of the various training center calendars — just to augment them and provide a heads-up on new training courses. Please submit information to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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April 26 — April 28
Hazardous Materials — First Responder Operations, Glen Canyon NRA, UT. The 24-hour course fulfills the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120 and NFPA 472. The class is directly applicable to firefighters, law enforcement personnel and other first responders. The class is sponsored in part and taught by the International Association of Firefighters and involves two days of classroom followed by a practical simulated spill utilizing and ICS interagency response. Meals, lodging and government mileage paid. Class size is limited to 25. Nominations are due by April 12th. For more information, go to the structural fire training site or contact Jim Traub at 928-608-6535.
May 2 — May 13
Certified Structural Firefighter, Glacier National Park, MT. This course is designed for persons with structural firefighting responsibilities in NPS areas. Instruction includes lecture and audio visual aids, but maintains an emphasis on individual and engine company manipulative skills essential for personal safety and effective and safe fire ground operations. For more information and nomination forms, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=284&id=2653&lv=4&pgid=902 or contact Patrick_Suddath@nps.gov. Nominations should be faxed to 406-888-7886, or sent via e-mail. They are due by April 15th. For additional information, contact Patrick Suddath, 406-888-7831, or Fred Vanhorn at 406-888-7822.
May 9 — May 13
National Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, Hot Springs, AR. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on April 13th.
May 10 — May 12
Colt M-16/AR-15 Armorer's School, Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte NHP&P, LA. The course will focus on the theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance, and trouble-shooting of the M-16/AR-15 family of weapons. Students must demonstrate proficiency as well as attain a score of 70% or higher on the written test in order to pass. The certification lasts for three years and costs $375. For more information, contact ranger Leigh Zahm at 504-589-2330 ext. 17.
May 16 — May 20
High Angle Rope Rescue Training, New River Gorge NR, Fayetteville, WV. This course is designed for persons who are tasked with responding to calls of injured or stranded visitors in a steep, high angle environment. Students can range from beginners to intermediate — everyone will benefit. Students and instructors will be camping out at the Burnwood Ranger Station area, located on the rim of the New River Gorge. Showers will be provided. This will not only help in keeping the costs down, but will serve as a good logistical location for any night exercises. Students need to bring their own personal rescue/climbing gear including a comfortable sit harness, rappel device, carabiners, helmet, and gloves. All students need to be in good physical condition. There will be extended periods of hanging on a fixed rope in an exposed environment. A direct email from your supervisor will be sufficient for the nomination. (Note: This training will be held prior to, and in conjunction with, a climbers rendezvous sponsored by the New River Alliance of Climbers and the Access Fund. Special presentations by nationally recognized climbers have been incorporated into this training. Equipment demos, climbing workshops, and competitions will be held the weekend following the training, May 20th to 22nd). Please direct all questions and correspondence to Rob Turan at 304-763-3145 ex 15. fax # 304-465-6559, or at rob_turan@nps.gov.
May 16 — May 20
Tactical Tracking Operations Level 1, Little River Canyon NP. The Tactical Tracking Operations School will conduct a level one tactical tracking class near the park that will cover basic tracking techniques, tracking team formations, tactics, camouflage, cover shoot and more. For more information, contact Jimmy Dunn at 256-997-9239 or jimmy_dunn@nps.gov.
May 23 — May 27
Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. The 36-hour course, listed as VRPSPU3003 on My Learning Manager, covers all aspects of special park uses, from First Amendment to filming and photography to wireless telecommunication sites. Temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses will also be discussed. DO-53/RM-53, 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies (2001) will be covered in depth. A draft agenda is posted on the special park uses page. For more information, contact Lee Dickinson, WASO special park uses program manager, at 202-513-7092. For an agenda, go to http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=185&id=3225
May 24 — May 26
Midwest Cemetery Monument Conservation Workshop, Omaha, NE. The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training has scheduled its third workshop on the conservation of cemetery monuments. The program will include a three-day, hands-on learning experience in cemetery and materials conservation. Partners include the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center and the Midwest Regional Office of the National Park Service. A lecture and a hands-on session on metal conservation will also be added to this year's training. For more information, contact Mary F. Striegel at 318-356-7444 or mary_striegel@nps.gov.
June 6 — June 17
Covert Electronic Surveillance (CESP-505), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on May 2nd.
June 6 — June 17
Firearms Instructor Training (FITP-506), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on May 2nd.
June 13 — June 17
Vehicle Ambush Countermeasures Training (VACTP-505), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on May 4th.
June 14 — August 30
Criminal Investigator Training (CITP-535X), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on May 6th.
June 14 — June 24
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Summer Institute, Natchitoches, LA. Includes courses in preservation engineering that offer participants fieldwork using nationally significant structures in the Cane River region of Louisiana where NCPTT is headquartered. For more information, contact Andy Ferrell at 318-356-7444 or Andrew_ferrell@nps.gov .
June 20 — June 24
Law Enforcement Advanced Interviewing (LEAINTP-505), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on May 9th.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Capitol Reef National Park (UT)
GS-12 Chief of Maintenance (Facility Manager)
Capitol Reef National Park is seeking applicants with excellent supervision and multi-tasking skills to serve as the park's GS-12 supervisory facility operations specialist (chief of maintenance). The announcement is open through April 25th.
Located in the heart of red rock country in south-central Utah, Capitol Reef's headquarters is 11 miles east of Torrey, Utah. The visitor center and headquarters are situated in the lush area along the Fremont River that winds through the Fruita Historic District at an elevation of 5,500 feet. There are 378 square miles within Capitol Reef NP, which was established to protect the 100-mile long Waterpocket Fold, a flexure or upthrust in the earth's crust. The spectacular setting of Capitol Reef has been formed over millions of years with water eroding and shaping the rock into myriad arches, natural bridges, monoliths, narrow canyons and towering cliffs. The park is open year-round, with the majority of visitation occurring during the busy season from March through October.
The person selected for this position will be responsible for supervising a full range of activities including roads, trails, and cultural landscapes which include approximately 250 acres of the Fruita Historic District, with approximately 3,000 fruit trees in several orchards, fields, and picnic areas. The person in this position also supervises the building and utilities branch which is responsible for 19 government housing units; approximately 60 other buildings; a sewage lift station; water treatment facilities; 140 miles of roads; 30 miles of maintained trails; and 83 campground sites in three separate campgrounds.
The incumbent serves as the principal assistant to the superintendent for programming and completion of all maintenance tasks within the park. He/she works as the primary supervisor, coordinator, and specialist for the FMSS/MAXIMO program; manages the maintenance budget; writes funding proposals and secures funding for special projects. The incumbent works closely with all division chiefs and coordinates with the Chief of Resource Management on the protection of natural and cultural resources that may be affected by maintenance and construction activities.
Those interested should forward applications as directed in the merit promotion announcement available on USAJOBS. The vacancy announcement number is IMDE-05-75 and can be obtained by clicking on "More Information" below.
[Submitted by Donita Pace, Human Resources Assistant] More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found by clicking here. 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 Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.