NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, June 29, 2009

INCIDENT

Glen Canyon NRA

Fire Destroys Boat At Wahweap

On June 25th, park firefighters responded to reports that a ski boat was on fire at the Stateline launch ramp. The owner, a Los Angeles firefighter, had just launched his vessel after fueling at the Wahweap gas station. Prior to starting the inboard/outboard engine, he raised his engine cover to vent the engine compartment, and, even though he could smell gasoline fumes, started the engine, which immediately burst into flames. After unsuccessfully attempting to extinguish the fire, all three adults and three children onboard were forced to abandon ship into the lake, where they were picked up by nearby boaters. Within 11 minutes of the call, the NPS fire boat was on scene. Firefighters Kean Mihata, Joe Florko, Ben Davis, and vessel operator/captain Jared St.Clair found the vessel, a 21-foot 1987 Sea Ray, on a nearby shore fully engulfed in flames. Within four minutes, the flames had been knocked down enough for the fire boat to come alongside the burning boat and use a short attack line to suppress the remaining fire. The boat was towed back to the launch ramp and removed from the water. There were no visitor or employee injuries in the incident. Although the boat was saved from sinking, it is a total loss. [Max King]

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

United Nations Secretary-General Visits Park

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on Friday, June 12th. He was in Saint Louis to deliver a speech on world food security and hunger at Saint Louis University. Afterwards, the secretary-general travelled to the park for a view and walk around of the Arch, its underground museum complex, and the Mississippi River with its associated barge traffic. The secretary-general was met by the park's deputy superintendent and park historian, who provided him with information about the park. Security was coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and supplemented by park rangers as well as U.N. security personnel. [Pete Swisher, Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

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

Glacier NP - A unique cultural event took place last week at Glacier National Park - the four tribes that make up the Blackfoot Confederacy held an encampment and conference on ancient tribal land, now part of Glacier National Park.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7872" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7872

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science - A new edition of the climate change, wildlife and wildlands toolkit for educators is now available on the web. A link is provided.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7873" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7873

Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7871" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7871

Human Capital - The "Best Places to Work" rankings for 2009 are now available online. This fourth edition in the ongoing series of federal agency rankings is the most comprehensive and authoritative rating and analysis of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government. A link is provided.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7874" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7874

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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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