In
a demonstration of inter-governmental agency and private organization
cooperation, representatives from the
National Park Service (NPS), the United States Park Police (USPP),
Montgomery and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departments, District
of Columbia
Metropolitan Police Harbor Patrol, District of Columbia Fire & E.M.S.
Squads, the Potomac Conservancy and R.E.I.—all of which comprise the
Potomac River Safety Task Force—are renewing their combined efforts to
keep to zero the number of accidental drownings in the Potomac Gorge
and reduce hiking injuries on the C&O Canal’s “Billy Goat Trail.”
In 2004, five people accidentally drowned in the Potomac Gorge, an area
defined as extending from Key Bridge to just north of Great Falls on the
Potomac. Since then, considerable interagency cooperation on the local,
county, state and federal levels has been initiated and continues in order
to focus attention on methods to reduce accidental drowning, as there has
been no accidental drowning in this area in 2005, 2006, 2007 and thus far
into 2008.
To raise the public’s level of awareness of the hazards of the Potomac
River Gorge, the Potomac River Safety Task Force partners have worked together,
providing the following efforts:
•
Annual press events held to provide widespread public safety awareness
about the river’s and Billy Goat Trail’s dangers and to promote safe ways
of enjoying the river and trail;
•
Post river safety signs in English, Spanish and Vietnamese on both sides
of the river, taking into account the diverse communities that use the
river, (see copies provided in press kit);
•
Potomac Gorge Search & Rescue Atlas were prepared and distributed to
all emergency service providers in 2006 to increase search and rescue efficiency,
(abbreviated copies provided in press kit);
•
Improved communication between the C&O Canal National Historical Park
and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the U.S. Park Police and the
various county rescue departments;
•
NPS bicycle and foot patrols, trail stewards and other volunteers were
trained to make appropriate contacts with visitors warning them of river
hazards;
•
Preventative Search and Rescue patrols were conducted by commissioned and
non-
commissioned park rangers and U.S. Park Police officers by helicopter,
horseback and
on foot in the most hazardous areas of the Gorge;
•
Park interpretive staff incorporated river safety into programs and roving
patrols.
In addition to Potomac
River Gorge safety issues, the NPS, USPP and Montgomery County have
noticed a continued increase in
the number of
hiking accidents on the C&O Canal’s “Billy Goat Trail.” These accidents
have resulted in broken and sprained ankles, broken legs, head injuries
including concussions and other injuries. The “Billy Goat Trail’s” level
of difficulty compares with trails in many NPS western U.S. National
Parks, such as Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. The NPS reminds
hikers to wear appropriate hiking gear on the “Billy Goat Trail,” especially
appropriate footwear that includes strong ankle and arch support.
“I’m pleased with the work all agencies have shown to try to reduce the
number of drownings in the Potomac River Gorge,” said Joe Lawler, Regional
Director of the NPS’ National Capital Region. “The NPS will continue
to strive to keep drownings in this spectacularly beautiful, but dangerous
area at zero and to keep on spreading our unified safety message.”
“The United States Park Police is committed to the safety of the visitors
to the Potomac River Gorge,” said U.S. Park Police Acting Assistant Chief
Sal Lauro. “There have been no accidental drownings in the past four
years and we believe this is the direct result of our partnerships with
our neighboring emergency services organizations and our dedication to
our duty to keep the visitors of our National Parks safe.”
“With some of the largest area along the river to cover, Montgomery
County will continue its commitment to the collective efforts that
I believe
are helping us to promote safety and reduce drownings in the Potomac
River Gorge,” said Fire Chief Tom Carr, of the Montgomery County Fire
and Rescue Service. “With the good working relationships that exist,
I’m confident we will work hard to reduce drownings in the Gorge.”
“The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is and continues to be
a major player in supporting water and boating safety in the Potomac
River Gorge. Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics are committed
to reducing drownings, injuries, and raising public awareness of personal
safety on the Potomac River," said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s
Technical Rescue Operations Team Chief Bob Zoldos.
“The District of Columbia’s Fire and E.M.S. Squad and our training in
all forms of river safety rescues helps, along with other agencies, to
reduce accidental drownings in the Potomac River Gorge,” said D.C. Fire
and E.M.S. Chief Dennis Rubin. “We look forward to helping keep the public’s
level of awareness high so as to help sustain these results.”
“The Metropolitan Police Department continues to support the cooperative
efforts between the District of Columbia Fire and E.M.S., U.S. Park Police,
National Park Service, Fairfax County and Montgomery County Fire and
Rescue,” said Assistant Chief Patrick A. Burke, Homeland Security Bureau,
District of Columbia Metropolitan Police, which overseas the Harbor Patrol.
“These efforts have resulted in reduced accidental drownings and increased
the public’s awareness of water and boating safety in the Potomac River Gorge.”
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