Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (AK)
Ranger Vehicle Hit By Avalanche
While returning from an annual law enforcement refresher in Anchorage last Saturday night, chief ranger Tim Steidel and ranger Steve Edwards were momentarily buried and barely escaped a more dire predicament as a mass of snow fell onto their patrol vehicle from the adjacent mountainside. While descending White Pass approximately six miles outside of Skagway, Steidel, who was driving, noticed in the periphery of the headlights that a wave of snow was falling toward the passenger side of the windshield. In an effort to evade the bulk of the snow mass, Steidel veered into the oncoming lane and braced in expectation of the vehicle being pushed from the roadway. In that second, everything went black as the snow completely covered the vehicle's windshield and piled into the passenger side with an audible "whomp," nudging the vehicle sideways. Seconds later, the rangers found themselves clear of the snow debris and accelerated back onto open roadway, not taking the time to stop and look back in fear of a second or larger avalanche completely overcoming them. The rangers reported the slide to US Customs a mile below the avalanche site and the highway was closed Sunday morning by the Alaska Department of Transportation until it could be cleared of snow and debris. Colder temperatures have resulted in drier powdery snow and smaller point release avalanches, which spared the vehicle and occupants further damage and injury. Had temperatures been warmer, larger and heavier snow debris could have easily resulted in knocking the vehicle off the road and burying it until found. This incident serves as a reminder of the hazards of traveling in winter in Alaska and of the importance of winter preparedness for cold temperature travel. Prior to the drive to Anchorage, the park maintenance staff serviced the vehicle with studded tires, a new battery, and full annual maintenance. In addition, the park had just equipped each winter highway vehicle with survival kits, including sleeping bags, emergency food and water, shovel, snowshoes, and many other recommended items. As it happened, the rangers were also transporting the entire park radio cache, a satellite phone, and a SPOT messenger satellite tracker, which might have come in handy in the event of an overnight burial situation. Having just returned to the park from USS Arizona Memorial, Edwards experienced his first winter trip on an Alaskan Highway. When asked how he felt about the experience, Edwards replied "I think I'll do my winter shopping in Juneau in the future." Juneau is accessible only by water or air. [Submitted by Tim Steidel, Chief Ranger]
Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD)
Pedestrian Killed In Multiple Vehicle Accident
On the evening of February 10th, a Nissan pickup stopped on the roadway on the ramp from the southbound lanes of the parkway to Route 50. A Nissan Sentra stopped behind the pickup to avoid hitting it. The driver of an approaching tour bus attempted to swerve to avoid them, but hit the Sentra, a pedestrian, and a third vehicle. The pedestrian — J.G., 41, of Washington, DC — was taken to a local hospital but did not survive. The Park Police are investigating. [Submitted by Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Responds To Call For Firefighting Assistance From Australia
The National Interagency Fire Center has received a request for assistance from Australia in the wake of unprecedented fire activity in the southeastern part of the county. Wildfires there have claimed at least 200 lives in the past week.
The United States will send 60 wildfire specialists to Australia to meet this request. American specialists include wildland fire personnel with expertise operations, planning and logistics. Two thirteen-person teams specializing in rehabilitating burned areas and one 20-person suppression team also will be sent.
The specialists, all from federal agencies, will come from throughout the United States. Their length of deployment will be up to 35 days.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to assist Australia during a difficult wildfire situation," said Lyle Carlile, the fire director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at NIFC. Carlile chairs an interagency group at NIFC with the responsibility of coordinating national wildfire response.
"Since 2000, Australia has sent wildfire specialists several times to help the U.S. in some of our worst fire seasons. We are pleased that we can reciprocate," he added.
For more information on how the U.S. and other countries work together on wildfire suppression, go to: http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/international_support.htm
For more information on the fires in Australia and on the U.S. response, go to: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/logistics/internatl_support/index.htm
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Buffalo National River (AR)
GS-1640-12/13 Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist
Buffalo National River is currently recruiting for a GS-12/13 supervisory facility operations specialist. It closes on March 3rd. Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement.
[Submitted by Mary Thompson, Human Resources Specialist]
More Information...
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George McDonald Receives "Federal Champion" Award
On February 10th, the Corps Network presented its highest honor, the Federal Champion Award, to George McDonald, manager of the Service's Youth Programs Division, for his outstanding leadership on national service and, in particular, for his support of the Service and Conservation Corps.
McDonald was honored for his outstanding work promoting the Corps in the federal sector. His work at the National Park Service has led to many positive outcomes for young adults in this country, thousands of whom have participated in projects funded through the Public Lands Corps. In the past year, McDonald has worked on non-competitive hiring language for Corps members, guidelines to facilitate the grant-making process for the Corps, and a memorandum of understanding with The Corps Network that will eventually be applied to all Department of Interior agencies.
At an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill, The Corps Network's president, Sally Prouty, had this to say: "For years, George McDonald has gone to great lengths at the Park Service to ensure that Service and Conservation Corps have every opportunity possible to participate in the programs he oversees. The Corps Network and its members applaud George's dedication and are especially grateful for his continued commitment to this nation's young people."
Congressmen Jay Inslee (D-WA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) and John Sarbanes (D-MD), and Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) were also honored as 2009 Congressional Champions at the ceremony.
The Corps Network is the voice of the nation's 136 Service and Conservation Corps. Currently operating in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the Corps annually enroll more than 26,000 young men and women in service every year. Corps annually mobilize approximately 295,000 community volunteers who in conjunction with Corps members generate 16.9 million hours of service every year. For more information, visit www.corpsnetwork.org or contact Sarah Stankorb at sstankorb@corpsnetwork.org or at 202-737-6272.
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.