NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Friday, February 13, 2009

INCIDENTS

Chickasaw NRA

Tornado Hits Region And Park

On the evening of February 10th, a severe tornado was spotted 20 miles south of the park. This tornado touched down and destroyed the local communities of Lone Grove and Springer. First responders reported dozens of injuries, a confirmed fatality, and damage to the utility system's infrastructure. The tornado continued into the park; no major damage was reported, but heavy rains, power outages and flying debris affected campground visitors and park roadways. Based on these conditions, safety checks were conducted of roadways, campers and employees. No reported injuries to visitors or staff. On the morning of February 11th, a request was received by the park for personnel to assist with search and rescue operations in the community of Lone Grove. [DOI Emergency Management Daily Situation Report]

Golden Gate NRA

Paraglider Killed In Crash

On the morning Sunday, February 8th, park dispatch received a report of a paragliding accident in an area of the park known as Mussel Rock. Responding rangers and Park Police officers determined that the paraglider had perished in the accident. Paragliding is a popular activity in the area, although the launch and landing of the gliders occurs off of park property. Ranger Eric LaSalle encountered numerous public safety personnel from local jurisdictions at the scene who were not clear on which agency was responsible for the rescue. LaSalle determined that the accident had occurred approximately 40 minutes or more before his arrival and that the victim had been seen floating in the water by a fisherman. LaSalle requested additional assistance and declared the area a crime scene. A Park Police sergeant also responded to assist. Ranger Xave Agnew donned his wetsuit and entered the water to recover the body of the 46-year-old Palo Alton man. He was assisted by state rangers from Half Moon Bay State Beach. The San Mateo County Coroner's Office and a detective from the Park Police led the investigation. The coroner's office determined the man had died from drowning in association with blunt force trauma to the body. [Kim Coast, Operations Supervisor, and Sgt. Thomas Hart, US Park Police]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:

Lincoln Memorial - A commemoration and celebration of the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth was held yesterday at the Lincoln Memorial. Another wreath-laying ceremony was held on the front steps of Ford's Theatre.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7346" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7346

Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS - Events in this year's two-week-long tribute to Dr. King and other civil rights heroes included the King holiday, the inauguration, and the annual Walk of Fame celebration.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7348" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7348

Gettysburg NMP - In honor of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, the park yesterday celebrated the opening of the historic David Wills House in downtown Gettysburg, an official site within Gettysburg National Military Park.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7347" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7347

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS - Despite ice storm damage that forced the park to move its celebration to a local high school, the event was a great success. About 1500 people attended, including the governor of Kentucky, who spoke to those assembled for the ceremony.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7349" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7349

Training Calendar - A listing of upcoming training courses offered by the NPS and its partners across the nation. Added today are an EMT refresher at Valley Forge, a wilderness stewardship training class in California, a training course on the basics of revegetation in the eastern U.S. at Great Smokies, and several FLETC courses.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1672" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1672

Events Calendar - Today's listing of upcoming NPS and NPS-related events across the nation. Added today is a celebration of Gullah heritage this month and next at Charles Pinckney.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1673" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=1673

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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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