NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, December 29, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Glen Canyon NP
Investigation Continues Following Marina Fire
State and federal agencies investigating the December 18th fire at the Halls Crossing Marina have determined that fewer boats were destroyed than previously thought - 15 vessels rather than 20. Three of the 15 sank, at least one of them in water 200 feet deep. A total of 153 water craft were docked at the marina, about 95 river miles up Lake Powell from Glen Canyon Dam, when the fire broke out sometime after 11 p.m. on December 18th. The fire destroyed the marina's “F” dock, charring boat slips and melting part of the roof covering the dock. A few other boats sustained minor damage, but most were saved by the quick actions of those who first responded to the fire, including National Park Service and marina concessions staff and other volunteers. An initial assessment has placed the value of the loss of boats and facilities at between $3 million and $5 million. The remains of those boats and some of the others have been moved to a secure area for examination by investigators from the Utah State Fire Marshal's Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), which is assisting because the fire was at a federal facility. The remains of “F” dock, one of six sets of docks at the marina, are cordoned off and not open to boats or the public. The portion of “D” dock containing boat slips numbered 11 and higher also is off-limits, according to the marina concessioner, by order of the fire investigators. That prohibition includes all individuals, slip holders and insurance company representatives. Investigators have so far found no evidence that the fire was deliberately set. The Utah fire marshal continues to categorize the fire's cause as unknown. Investigators have left the scene for now but will return after the first of the year to continue their work, which will likely continue into February. The marina is in one of the more remote locales within the recreation area, which encompasses more than 1.25 million acres in southern Utah and northern Arizona along the course of the Colorado River. Scott Ryan, chief ranger at Natural Bridges NM, has begun to assess the site for any potential environmental damage so that appropriate clean-up measures can take place. Anyone with information about the fire or needing to contact investigators should do so through the Utah State Fire Marshal's Office. The phone number is 801-284-6350. [Max King, Public Affairs Officer]
Cane River Creole NHP
Maintenance Employee Assists In Saving Young Girl's Life
On the afternoon of November 25th, park maintenance mechanic Ron Bolton was working at Magnolia Plantation when a young man told him that his eight-year-old sister was unresponsive in the ladies' restroom. Bolton responded and found that the girl's parents were in the process of administering rescue breathing. He called 911 and reported the incident, then secured the area and calmed the parents until an ambulance arrived to take the girl to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. She was later reported to be in good condition. [Georgia Shaw, Park Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. The internal, NPS-only version of InsideNPS can be found at: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index . The public version, called NPS Digest, can be found at: HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/
US Park Police - Director Bomar announced on Wednesday that Salvatore (Sal) R. Lauro has been selected as chief of the United States Park Police. Lauro, who is currently serving as the acting deputy chief, will assume his duties as chief in January. (NOTE: This article was a late addition to last Wednesday's issue so doesn't appear at either of the above links. The specific link is HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2180" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2180
WASO Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services - Nominations are being solicited for the 15th annual Harry Yount awards. They are due in your regional office by January 31st.
Petrified Forest NP - On January 2nd, Janet Fernandes will retire after 30 years with the National Park Service.
Northeast Region - Bill McLaughlin has been selected as the new fee program manager for business services in Northeast Region Office in Philadelphia.
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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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