The impact of the events of September 11th have been felt at National Parks across the country. To provide you with a sense of the impact we have compiled a listing of the daily incident reports. This report is a listing of all of the incidents, primarily law enforcement, that have occurred at this park.

September 11 - Special Edition
The Secretary of Interior and the Director have each issued important memoranda regarding our reaction to today's terrorist attacks in Washington and New York. Both appear below.

First, an update on our friends and colleagues in the New York and Washington areas. Bob Martin, regional chief ranger for Northeast Region, has sent along this note: "We have been in contact with the parks in New York and can assure you that all of our employees are safe. However, Federal Hall, Fire Island and Ellis Island are all involved in providing support for this incident. The United States Park Police in New York are also playing a major role. We, in turn, are assuring that they have the resources and personnel they need." Meanwhile, no reports of any NPS injuries or property damage have come from the Washington area. We will keep you posted on developments with updates whenever circumstances merit.

September 12
National Park Service personnel systemwide are responding in many ways to the terrorist attacks yesterday on Washington and New York. Here's a summary, as of 11 a.m. today:

Northeast Region - All parks in Northeast Region closed yesterday due to terrorist activity. Parks evacuated their visitors, implemented their continuity of operations plans, stepped-up their security - particularly at the Statue of Liberty, Federal Hall, Boston National Historical Park and Independence - and began sharing resources as needed. Protection rangers from some parks traveled to others that don't have protection staffs; two boats from Fire Island with a boat captain and protection rangers on each assisted the Park Police and helped move people and employees via New York harbor. Two protection rangers were dispatched to Sandy Hook to help with crowds that began to form along the shoreline to view the altered New York City skyline. Two other rangers went to Boston NHP to assist with security there. Rangers and Park Police officers are working 12-hour shifts in the New York City area. Miller Field in Gateway is being used as a staging area to access Staten Island. Ellis Island has been serving as a triage station. United Flight 93, which crashed in southwestern Pennsylvania, came down between two parks. The southwest Pennsylvania group superintendent reported that she felt the ground shake when the plane impacted over ten miles away. Federal Hall in NYC was used as a refuge by approximately 150 people escaping the collapse of the World Trade Towers. Park Police officers and a doctor helped them, and the park was closed after being evacuated. The regional all-risk Type 2 team (Brown) has been activated and will assist the parks, make contingency plans, and provide public information support. The team has set up shop at the regional office in Philadelphia. Regional SET teams continue to be on alert. All parks will be working to open up today except for the Statue of Liberty, Federal Hall, Manhattan sites, and Gateway sites, including Sandy Hook. Boston NHP will also remain closed. New York parks are assessing their employees' situations, as there will inevitably be connections with some of the many people who lost their lives. Parks will make CISD and EAP services available as needed. Independence will open the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall today, but will limit numbers of visitors and access to other areas of the park.

September 13 - Morning
"At National Park sites in Manhattan and the New York City area, operations are more limited, and most of the sites in Manhattan are closed today. At Federal Hall on Wall Street, a water tower on the roof collapsed last evening. Gateway National Recreation Area is open except for areas where the New York Police Department is staging operations.

USPP/New York Field Office (NY) - All available personnel were called in for duty following the crash of the two planes into the World Trade Center. Four USPP vessels were sent to secure the waters around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and to assist in medevacs of injured people from the area. Officers were sent to Federal Hall to assist with the securing and protection of that building; others were assigned to Ellis Island to assist with the set-up of a triage center. About 275 people were treated there; of these, about 60 were transported and admitted to local hospitals. The Statue of Liberty was evacuated. Officers were also assigned to the gates of Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Tilden, and Fort Wadsworth and to close those areas to the public. Rangers from Fire Island NS assisted USPP with two vessels and personnel.

Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - The park is open, but with limited services. NYPD is using Floyd Bennett Field as a staging area, and the FBI has asked permission to use part of the area. Miller Field is being used by the city as an equipment staging area. Fort Wadsworth remains closed.

Fire Island NS (NY) - The park has returned to regular operations, but continues to lend assistance to other parks in the area. One 41-foot boot and nine staff members are on assignment to New York area sites.

[Rick Brown, IC, Type 2 Team, NER, 9/13]

September 14 - Morning
President Bush has declared today a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. The text of his proclamation follows:

"On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America in a series of despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger jets, crashed two of them into the World Trade Center's twin towers and a third into the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon, causing great loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth plane crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board but falling well short of its intended target apparently because of the heroic efforts of passengers on board. This carnage, which caused the collapse of both Trade Center towers and the destruction of part of the Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane passengers and thousands more on the ground.

"Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised and executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who helped or harbored the terrorists be punished - and punished severely. The enormity of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of the United States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those responsible for this evil, until justice is done.

"We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.

"Scripture says: 'Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.' I call on every American family and the family of America to observe a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, honoring the memory of the thousands of victims of these brutal attacks and comforting those who lost loved ones. We will persevere through this national tragedy and personal loss. In time, we will find healing and recovery; and, in the face of all this evil, we remain strong and united, 'one Nation under God.'

"Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the United States and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our land. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances."

INCIDENTS

01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
Director Mainella yesterday signed a delegation of authority for continuity of NPS operations to the Service's national Type 1 all-risk management team (Skip Brooks, IC). The director also designated past Type 1 team IC Rick Gale as her representative throughout this incident. Director Mainella has given the team nine "specific management considerations for this incident":

• Protect human life and operate safely as the first priority.
• Notify agency managers and supervisors of the potential need to provide alternative work locations or other reasonable accommodations during the involved period.
• During the continuation of agency operations, analyze information regarding the overall situation and determine the best course of action that maintains basic, essential agency operations while providing for the safety of our employees. When the analysis is not clear, err on the side of employee safety.
• Coordinate the development of information regarding operations for National Park Service Washington Office employees. Provide analysis and alternative solution.
• Coordinate activities with the Department as needed.
• Ensure that members of the National Leadership Council are notified of significant events that occur during the period.
• Gather information from regions about parks as requested by myself, the deputy director, anyone acting as the director, or Rick Gale.
• Meet daily with my representative and my associate directors to coordinate incident activities with normal WASO functions.

Incident objectives and strategies have also been worked out and will appear in the afternoon edition, along with a full report on the status of parks and operations. Also see "Operational Notes" below.

September 14 - Afternoon
The White House has issued a directive ordering federal facilities to keep flags lowered to half-staff until Saturday, September 22nd. Flags are to be returned to full staff at sunrise on the morning of Sunday, September 23rd.

On Wednesday, Director Mainella authorized the wearing of black bands on badges for uniformed employees, and has specifically asked that ALL employees with badges wear such bands. Additional guidance has been received for employees who do not have badges or who are not in uniform. See "Operational Notes" below.

Morning Report updates will continue through the weekend.

INCIDENTS

01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
Further updates have been received on the status of NPS areas and/or staff responses to Tuesday's terrorist attacks:

Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - On September 11th, the day of the attack, the Sandy Hook Unit's 41-foot patrol boat, the "George B. Hartzog Jr.," and crew assisted the Coast Guard by transporting volunteer New Jersey firefighters and a Coast Guard admiral and staff to New York. During the evening, the Hartzog took up a position under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge as the point vessel maintaining the New York Harbor closure. Unit staff are also providing the Coast Guard at Sandy Hook with temporary housing for personnel activated for the emergency and with station security. Three Upper Delaware NS&RR protection rangers are assisting Sandy Hook staff.

Gateway NRA (NY) - The city is seeking landfill sites and has been talking with the Service about possible areas on NPS lands. All requests are pending compliance and management review.

September 15 - Morning
Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - Another four rangers have been brought in to assist with security at Sandy Hook, which is open to the public. Several rangers who are reservists have been placed on standby for call-up.

The Park Police have also provided additional details on their response over the first 48 hours after the attacks, which amplify prior reports:

Gateway NRA - Fort Wadsworth was locked down at the request of the Coast Guard. The back gate was closed, a vehicular barricade was established at the front gate, and a 100% ID check was instituted at the entrance. Miller Field was closed and a secondary morgue was established in the hanger area. This was disbanded on Wednesday morning and moved to Staten Island University Hospital. All NPS/USPP phone service was lost due to the collapse of the WTC buildings; one temporary line was in service by Wednesday afternoon. A security check point was established at the entrance to Floyd Bennett Field at the request of NYPD due to the presence of NYPD's Special Operations Division on-site. A marshalling point was established on the field for heavy equipment and supplies, and medevac helicopters were positioned there.

Manhattan Sites - Park Police officers are providing round-the-clock coverage of all sites.

September 16
Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - The Park Police continue to provide security at Federal Hall and serve as liaisons with the city and the FBI.

September 18
Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - The park is open, but Miller Field, Floyd Bennett Field and Ft. Wadsworth remain closed.

September 20
Gateway NRA - Fort Wadsworth is currently closed to the general public. Portions of Floyd Bennett Field are also closed, but most of the field remains open. These sites will reopen as soon as safety and operational issues are resolved.

September 28
Fort Wadsworth (GATE) - Closed at the request of the Coast Guard. Military activity continues at the site.

Miller Field (GATE) - Closed. The field is being used by New York City as an equipment staging area.

At a candlelight vigil at Fort Tilden last Sunday night, Billy Garrett, superintendent of Gateway's Jamaica Bay Unit, delivered an "affirmation" to those gathered. The text follows:

"There is a hole in the New York skyline - a gap our minds try vainly to fill, a hurt we want to fix by restoring the world to the way it was before Tuesday morning, September 11th, before the rhythm of daily routines and long-term plans were ripped apart, before time stood still.

"Here, on that beautiful late summer day, we saw the catastrophe unfold at a distance as if in slow motion, unwilling or unable to comprehend what was later confirmed by radio and television but was more directly conveyed by friends and family and neighbors who had been there.

"Here, where the city meets the sea, the world we know fundamentally changed; as we went through the motions of scheduled activity, our eyes ever returned to the horizon, from the boardwalk at Jacob Riis Park, from the runways on Floyd Bennett Field, from the West Pond in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, we tried in vain to find our bearings.

"For those of us who work at Gateway National Recreation Area and those who have visited this park, the towers of the World Trade Center were a point of reference: they gave us a way to gauge our place at the edge of the metropolis, they formed half of a symbolic contrast between nature and urban life, they helped frame our context and our purpose.

"They are gone now. . .an image frozen in time.

"As I made my rounds of the park later that week time folded back on itself: At Frank Charles Park, where we honor local men who died in the war to end all wars; at Fort Tilden, where great batteries helped defend New York Harbor from attack by sea and by air; and at the Ryan Visitor Center, where six decades ago air traffic controllers oversaw the departure of Grumman fighters for the Pacific Front. Ghosts of the past, reminding us of courage and sacrifice and dedication in defense of freedom at other times of national crisis.

"I was also reminded of the crusading efforts of Jacob Riis, who helped make New York a more livable city for all of its residents, and of the intrepid aviators of the 1930s who inspired us with their daring and expanded our vision of the applications of manned flight. . . before we learned, first hand, how those bright possibilities could be twisted by evil intentions.

"In the succeeding days we have been picked up by the momentum of daily necessity, carried through wakes and funerals, all the while standing vigil for the missing and injured. Together, we have moved through each day on ever steadier legs, reinforced by the creative energy of artists, actors and musicians, strengthened by the outstretched hand and smile of a stranger, nourished by the sacred word and a shared pizza, inspired by the timeless pattern of red-winged monarch (butterflies) as they flutter by at the beginning of a two thousand mile journey.

"Terrible as the events of the past two weeks have been, they have formed a stark backdrop against which we can better examine old assumptions and reaffirm our commitments to one another. It is against this backdrop, that I restate our commitment to work with you; to develop this park, as a complement to a great city; to work in concert with you, our neighbors and friends, to create an example of harmony and mutual interdependence for people and wildlife - not apart from one another but as part of one another.

"This park will continue to serve as a safe haven where all people can come; alone or with others to reflect and remember to grieve and to hope. This park will continue to be a place of re-creation and renewal: Where dreams and memories, play and learning, can inspire and enrich our lives - in mind, body and spirit.

"On behalf of the men and women of the National Park Service, I welcome each and every one of you to this special gathering and to this special place - tonight and for all the days to come."

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