Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Update on Hurricane Dennis Recovery Operations
As of this past Saturday, about 90% of the debris and hazard tree removal work north of U.S. 98 had been completed. The engineering squad had also made substantial headway on repairs to the park's fire cache. All outstanding FMSS and PMIS reports pertaining to Hurricane Dennis had been entered. A safety stand-down was ordered in the afternoon due to extreme heat and incident personnel were called in from the field. Temperatures reached the upper 90s, with heat indices ranging from 107 to 112 degrees. The team was unsuccessful in finding a contracting officer despite numerous efforts, so work was slowed in efforts to complete emergency contracts.
Plans for Sunday called for completion of hazard tree removal north of U.S. 98 and continuing cleanup of the beach on the north shore of Naval Live Oaks. The engineering squad was to continue with repairs to the fire cache and the pump house cover at the Naval Live Oaks bathhouse. A heat advisory was in effect for daylight hours.
A total of 57 people are currently assigned to the incident.
[Submitted by Michelle Fidler, Information Officer]
Niobrara National Scenic River (NE)
Park Assists Community with Storm Recovery
On the evening of Wednesday, July 20th, a thunderstorm with severe
winds developed over the park and Valentine, Nebraska. Straight winds
were clocked at speeds up to 79 mph at the local airport, and a tornado
reportedly touched down in town, severely damaging a church and several
homes. Many businesses and homes had roof and structural wall damage.
Many large trees throughout town were uprooted and fell on housetops or
had large limbs broken off. The ranger station in town escaped damage,
other than a flag pole that was bent when a heavy sign was uprooted and
blown into it. Rangers assisted authorities on Wednesday night and
checked several campgrounds along the river. Only minor tree damage and
local flooding was reported at those sites, however. On Thursday, park
and USFWS employees assisted with tree removal and yard clean-up at the
local high school, which received water damage via broken windows.
Rangers also directed traffic. Canoes from an adjacent outfitter were
said to have been seen flying across the parking lot at a grocery store,
and a trailer carrying boats was blown across Highway 12 into a field.
[Submitted by Stuart Schneider, Chief Ranger]
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (CA)
Head-On Collision with Two Fatalities
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 17th, park dispatch received a report
of a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and a pick-up truck
on California State Highway 299. This highway bisects the park and is a
main travel route from Redding to the coastal cities of northern
California. Park LE rangers, fire crew members and volunteer
emergency team members responded along with the California Department of
Forestry, California Highway Patrol, ALS ambulances, and two life flight
helicopters. Two of the three people in the passenger vehicle — the
driver and a small child — died as a result of their injuries, and
the third person was flown to a local trauma center and was last
reported in critical condition. The driver of the pickup was also taken
to the trauma center in Redding for treatment. Preliminary reports
indicate that the driver of the passenger vehicle was crossing over a
double yellow line when the collision occurred. Rangers provided
incident command. The highway was closed for several hours. CHP is
leading the accident investigation. Park employees were provided access
to CISD team members and attended operational debriefings with county
and state fire agencies.
[Submitted by Andy Zavanelli, Chief Ranger
]
Cedar Breaks National Monument (UT)
Fatal Rollover Accident
In the early morning hours of July 19th, M.N., 49, of
Panguitch Lake, Utah, was southbound on Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive when
she lost control of her vehicle on a curve at the bottom of a steep
grade. The vehicle rolled one-and-a-half times, ending on its roof.
Although M.N. was wearing her seatbelt, the force of impact crushed
the vehicle and she was killed instantly. The accident was discovered by
a passerby around 5:45 a.m. and was reported to a ranger in the
campground. Seven park employees responded to provide traffic control
and assist in the recovery and investigation, which is being led by the
Utah Highway Patrol. Although a high rate of speed was a factor in the
accident, no evidence of alcohol or other impairment was found during
the course of the investigation.
[Submitted by Steve Robinson,
Chief Ranger]
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Fatal MVA on River Road
On the afternoon of Monday, July 18th, S.B., 24, was heading
southbound on River Road in the park's Pennsylvania District when she
struck a tree near Zion Church and was ejected from her vehicle onto the
roadway. A passing maintenance worker reported the accident, and rangers
and other staff responded from throughout the area. S.B. had sustained
severe head trauma in the accident and was medevaced to the trauma
center at Lehigh Valley Hospital. She succumbed to her injuries the
following day. The investigation into the cause of the accident
continues.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen, Public Affairs
Specialist]
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Theft from Park Employee's Vehicle
Park guide Yolanda Mendes was working at Mission San Juan on Friday,
July 15th, when she found that her personal vehicle had been broken into
and that several items had been taken. She subsequently spotted a
vehicle that she'd seen in the area around the time the break-in likely
occurred. When she attempted to contact the driver to see if he might
have been a witness to the car clout, she saw some of the stolen items
on the vehicle's back seat. At this time, ranger Jason King, who'd been
notified of the incident, was pulling into the parking lot. The suspect
vehicle sped away and King pursued. When the driver of the former saw
that he was being followed, he drove his vehicle into a ditch and fled
into the nearby woods. King had radioed local police for assistance and
two county sheriff's department officers responded. The area was
searched but the man was not found. Mendes' personal items were
recovered and the vehicle was impounded by San Antonio PD. The
investigation is on-going.
[Submitted by Dan Steed, Chief
Ranger]
Ninety Six National Historic Site (SC)
Rescue of Unconscious Man
Protection ranger Gray Wood was conducting a routine patrol at the
park's 27-acre Star Fort Lake early on the morning of July 13th when he
saw a teenager frantically waving for him to stop. Wood accompanied the
teenager to the lake, where he found 76-year-old E.H. lying
unconscious. Wood checked his vitals and assured they were stable,
administered basic first aid, and called 911 to summon an ambulance. The
teenager told Wood that he and his grandfather had come to the lake that
morning to fish, and that his grandfather had collapsed after just a few
minutes. He also reported that his grandfather has suffered a stroke a
few months before. An ambulance took E.H. to Self Memorial Hospital
in Greenwood, where he subsequently recovered.
[Submitted by Eric
Williams, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Situation Highlights — Monday, July 25, 2005
NPS Fires
For a brief supplemental narrative on each fire, click on the bar with the arrow. Internal NPS readers can link directly to full reports on each fire by clicking on the notepad icon; public readers of the Morning Report can obtain similar information by going to http://www.nps.gov/fire/news
| Park | State | Fire | Type | Acres | Percent Contain |
Est. Full Contain |
| Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve | AK | BT8C Trout Creek - ref#218 | Wildland Fire Use | 4,776 | N/A | N/A |
 |
||||||
| Yosemite National Park | CA | Echo Fire | Wildland Fire Use | 8 acres | N/A | N/A |
|
||||||
| Zion National Park | UT | Coalpits Fire | Wildland Fire | 240-acres | 100 | Expected containment 7/24 |
|
||||||
National Situation Report
The full NIFC Incident Management Situation Report for today can be obtained at http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf. NIFC's national fire news is at http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve (FL)
GS-025-9 Park Ranger (LE)
Timucuan Preserve is seeking a qualified candidate for lateral transfer to a permanent GS-025-09 park ranger (LE) position. Currently commissioned permanent employees at the GS-9 grade level or higher may apply. This position is primary 6c covered. The ranger is responsible for a wide variety of visitor service, resource protection and interpretive assignments. Enforcement issues within the preserve include after-hours trespassing and vandalism, illegal dumping, and ARPA violations. The majority of patrols are conducted by automobile, occasionally by boat or on foot. The interpretive assignments include regular formal programs as well as curriculum-based educational programs and visitor center operation.
As the sole law enforcement officer for the park, this position requires a confident ranger with a wide knowledge of NPS authorities. It also requires the ranger to serve as management's liaison with the local law enforcement community. In fact, a large portion of the incumbent's time will be spent developing, educating and fostering partnerships with these local law enforcement agencies.
The Timucuan Preserve encompasses over 46,000 acres in northeast Jacksonville. The preserve is managed through a unique partnership with the Florida State Park Service and the city of Jacksonville. There are also over 200 private landowners within the boundaries of the preserve. The National Park Service manages numerous sites scattered throughout the preserve. More information about the park can be obtained at the website www.nps.gov/timu.
Jacksonville is a large metropolitan area with all amenities and the cost of living is moderate. Temperatures are above 90 degrees more than 90 days per year and seldom fall below 30 degrees in the winter. The incumbent's duty station will be at Kingsley Plantation. Park housing is available at Kingsley, but it is not a required occupancy. However, the position does require a short response time to Kingsley Plantation. The housing at Kingsley consists of a three bedroom, two-bath apartment in the historic Fort George Island Club, situated on the beautiful Fort George River.
This reassignment opportunity is subject to the Department's CTAP requirements.
This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. Section 8336(c) and 5 U.S.C. Section 8412(d). Proof of special retirement coverage MUST be provided with resume. Applicants who are currently covered should include a copy of a recent SF-50 documenting coverage.
This position will be filled after October 1st when PCS (moving) funds become available.
Those interested should forward hard copy applications, including SF-50, references and latest performance appraisal to Administrative Officer, Timucuan Preserve, 13165 Mt. Pleasant Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 no later than COB on August 19th. For additional information contact Richard Bryant at 904-221-7567 x15 or at richard_bryant@nps.gov .
[Submitted by Richard Bryant]
National Capital Region
GS-0390-6/7 PFT Telecommunications Equipment Operator
The National Capital Region Communication Center (NCRCC) is seeking qualified candidates for a lateral transfer to a GS-0390-6, FPL GS-7, or GS-0390/07 telecommunications equipment operator (TEO).
NCRCC is located in the C&O Canal NHP Headquarters in Hagerstown, Maryland, which is 75 miles west of Washington, DC. The area is generally considered rural, with plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, golfing and camping. With a close proximity to four states, amenities are in abundance.
The position is full-time permanent and designated emergency general. The person selected will be required to work rotating shifts to include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and during government shutdown or natural disasters.
The TEO filing the position will:
- Perform all facets of law enforcement dispatching
- Perform dispatch functions for wildland fire and all-risk resources/ROSS
- Possess strong computer skills
- Possess above average people and problem solving skills
- Complete and maintain state required certification for the NCIC terminal
The National Capital Region Communication Center is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is staffed by eight FTE's and one STEP student. The center provides law enforcement dispatch services for eight National Parks located in three different states. It provides law enforcement dispatching functions and is the center point for reporting incidents and other significant occurrences to the regional and national level. NCRCC also dispatches resources in support of wildland fire & all-risk incidents.
For more information, contact Will Kenyon via email or at 301-714-2223. All interested applicants can either apply by fax (301-739-7013, ATTN: Stefanie Midgett) or by mail to C&O Canal NHP, 1850 Dual Hwy, Suite 100, Hagerstown, MD 21740, ATTN: Stefanie Midgett.
Please include a copy of your latest SF-50 and performance appraisal. Also, specify on your application that you're applying for the TEO position. All applications must be postmarked by August 5th. This position requires a background investigation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.
[Submitted by Will Kenyon, Telecommunications Manager]
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.