NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Friday, September 26, 2008

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INCIDENTS

Olympic NP

Three Lost Hikers Rescued From Mount Angeles

Park staff coordinated the rescue of three young people off the summit shoulder of Mount Angeles on September 21st. After reaching the mountain's summit, they began their descent in fog, which obscured the route and caused them to become disoriented. They attempted to walk down the steep eastern shoulder, but eventually gave up. Just before darkness, one of them called 911, contacted park dispatch, and asked for help. Rangers were able to make voice contact, but were unable to lead them down due to darkness and steep terrain. Rangers and trail crew members hiked in with rescue equipment the next morning, but the effort failed because of fog and steep, unstable terrain. Five rangers them climbed above the trio via the southeast ridge and were able to reach them. With improving visibility, the rangers were able to climb within 125 feet of them, but could not close the final distance. Because of waning daylight, lack of adequate anchors, and steep and unstable rock, an air evacuation was ordered. A helicopter from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station arrived just before darkness and hoisted them out. All were wet and cold but otherwise okay. [Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer]

Rock Creek Park

Armed Robbery At Meridian Hill

Just before midnight on Sunday, September 21st, the United States Park Police were notified of an armed robbery that had occurred at Meridian Hill. Officers met with the victim, who said that he'd been sitting on the steps at 15th and Chapin Streets when he was approached by two men, one of whom showed a firearm and told the man to walk with him. The victim was brought into a bathroom and robbed of personal belongings. A second person was in the bathroom. The two robbers ordered them to remain in the bathroom, then fled. The victim came out of the bathroom after a few minutes and heard a shot fired. He then flagged down a police officer. Detectives are investigating the incident. [Robert Lachance, Public Affairs Officer]

Glen Canyon NRA

Boat Burns Following Explosion

On Monday, September 22nd, park personnel and state and county dive teams were in the process of searching for a drowning victim (see report in yesterday's edition) when dispatch reported a vessel fire about ten miles up lake in Friendship Cove. An explosion had occurred on the 25-foot vessel which had two people onboard. When rangers got there, they found a red and white vessel onshore near a tent camp, fully engulfed in flames. All passengers and tent camp occupants were accounted for and okay. The park's aids to navigation vessel, which is equipped with a portable pump, soon arrived on scene. Rangers and dive team members extinguished the fire, using a single hose line drafting from the lake. Water was lobbed from the upwind side until the flames were knocked down. When the accident occurred, the boat's main engine was off and the trolling motor was in use. The operator heard an explosion behind him and the fire followed. Preliminary investigation suggests that a newly-installed battery may have caused the explosion. Laurie Axelsen was IC. [Lance Mattson, Emergency Services Manager]

OTHER NEWS

Among the stories in today's edition are the following:

Chief Information Officer - The Office of the Chief Information Officer's Enterprise Web Management team has launched its InsideNPS redesign project.

Northeast Region - Chris Soller has been selected as the new superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore. He begins his assignment in November.

US Park Police - Deputy Chief David Stover will retire from the United States Park Police on September 27th after more than 35 years of distinguished service.

Training Calendar - A listing of upcoming training courses offered by the NPS and its partners across the nation. Added to today's listing are seven new FLETC courses, an extension on the application deadline for an upcoming VIP program management course in Omaha, and a course on producing NPS publications at Zion.

Events Calendar - Today's listing of upcoming NPS and NPS-related events across the nation. Included in this update is an extension of the due date for submission of proposals for next year's George Wright Society conference.

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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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