NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Thursday, February 26, 2009

INCIDENTS

Yosemite NP

Climber Rescued After Being Injured In Avalanche

A 38-year-old Korean climber was swept downhill in an avalanche while climbing on Half Dome on Monday afternoon. The climber, an experienced mountaineer, was climbing with six other people when the avalanche hit. Language barriers, unsettled weather, and challenging terrain added to the complexity of the rescue. Although rescuers were able to contact him after the accident, continued avalanche activity made it unsafe for rescuers to enter the area. A California Highway Patrol helicopter lowered park medics to the climber's location the next day; he was then lifted out and flown to a waiting helicopter. After a medical assessment in the park, he was flown to a Central Valley hospital for treatment. [Adrienne Freeman]

OTHER NEWS

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

Southeast Regional Office - Southeast Regional Office, closed yesterday due to the power failure that knocked out the HVAC, elevators, and fire and emergency systems in the Rich Building, will remain closed today. It's not yet known if it will reopen on Friday.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7390" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7390

George Washington MP - Last Friday, staff at Great Falls Park unveiled a new series of “hands-on” interactive learning exhibits, including seven new video presentations designed to engage visitors in learning about the beauty, danger, recreational opportunities and history of that area.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7387" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7387

Grand Canyon NP - At Grand Canyon National Park, the staff is ushering in its own era of excellence with the introduction of the park's new Generating Organizational Advancement and Leadership or “GOAL” program.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=ParkNewsEvents&id=25252" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=ParkNewsEvents&id=25252

Midwest Region - Chad Dennis Suppa, 35, former NPS fire use module leader, died on Sunday, February 15th, in a tragic parachuting accident outside Phoenix, Arizona.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2252" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2252

US Park Police - Diana V. Smith has been selected as the new commander of the U.S. Park Police's Office of Professional Responsibility in Washington.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2253" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2253

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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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