Roundtop Ski Patrol Programs The following programs outline training and development of our patrollers. Each program is overseen by a coordinator who is responsible to be certain that the program conforms to industry and organizational standards. Below is a brief overview of each program. For more information contact our patrol director. Every year, we begin our selection process for new candidates with a ski-off and interview process, usually held on a Thursday night in the first week of January and the first week of February. Prior to this, prospective candidates must express their interest and fill out an initial prospect form. Once selected, the candidate will commence Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) training in 3 hour sessions held one night weekly in April and May, with completion of training from August through November. AN OEC written and practical skills evaluation is then held in early December. Once the mountain opens, ski and toboggan training begin in addition to OEC training on the hill in the snow. During the ski season, training sessions are held on Monday night and are mandatory for all candidates. In addition, each candidate will have one duty night per week in addition to duty on 2 out of every 3 Saturdays OR Sundays (one early shift and one late shift). During these shifts, the candidate participates in care of injured guests on the hill an din the patrol room, but does not handle loaded toboggans. He or she is identified by wearing a bib with the patrol cross on the front and back. The candidate skis free when wearing the bib and carries a patrol radio. In February, the candidates will have their OEC skills, ski skills and toboggan skills evaluated for full patroller status in all areas. Once the evaluation is passed, the candidate becomes a Basic Level Patroller. The candidate program is very challenging and requires a great deal of time and dedication, but the results are worth the effort! Give it a shot and see what you're made of! Become a member of our award winning and very proud patrol. Once the candidate evaluation in OEC and ski and toboggan skills described above is passed, the candidate becomes a Basic Level Patroller, entitled to all rights and privileges granted to all other patrollers. He or she is now qualified to wear the Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol parka with the National Ski Patrol patch and is welcomed as a member of our extended family. This is the designation for candidates who have passed the OEC portion of the training but who elected NOT to take the ski and toboggan test or who need a little more training to pass the tests. These patrollers wear the Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol Auxilliary parka and carry a patrol radio. They are fully qualified to work in the Aid Room and to assist with accidents on the hill, but do not ski with toboggans. This program is designed to provide a forum in which patrollers can enhance personal skiing and snowboarding skills and toboggan-handling proficiency, improve their ability to manage advanced emergency scenarios and expand their overall patrolling knowledge and skills. This course prepares patrollers for leadership roles within the National Ski Patrol, and consists of core and elective requirements. It is designed for alpine, nordic and auxiliary patrollers with appropriate variations in requirements for each. This course is followed by a division level evaluation of OEC skills, skiing skills and toboggan handling skills, similar to the candidate evaluation but on a higher skill level. Enables patrollers to build on those experiences gained while patrolling and through other NSP educational programs and supplement training resources. Also provides training clinics as skill checkpoints and verification of personal progress. The program requires independent training and advanced research and participants must complete all modules to receive certification. The National Certified Committee strongly recommends that all patrollers complete the Senior Program before entering the Certified Program. This is the highest level of training competence demonstrated by ski patrollers and Certified Patrollers are accorded the appropriate level of respect by their fellow patrollers. Patrollers with more than 20 years service are eligible
to join the ranks of the Alumni Patrol, enabling them to
remain as members of the Ski Roundtop Ski Patrol family.
Alumni no longer participate in care of injured guests and
no longer handle toboggans, but they do take part in all
social functions of the patrol and assist during the used
equipment sales and other fundraisers. The are identified by
a special alumni patch on their parkas. Teaches proper and safe operation of the helicopter landing zone as well as methods of communication with the medevac system and the 911 system. Live drills with the LifeLion helicopter are held at least annually as part of our comprehensive and ongoing training program. The potential for avalanche exists wherever snow lies upon steep slopes. Avalanche safety is not only a winter issue and it's not only an issue in " big mountain" areas. Avalanche problems are widespread in geography and degree of hazard (Roundtop has had at least one avalanche in the past on Gunbarrel). To meet the varying challenges represented by this avalanche danger, the National Ski Patrol has established several avalanche training courses, which fulfill all of the requirements of the Level I and Level II curricula adopted by the American Avalanche Association with one exception - the National Ski Patrol courses include topics related to organized rescue. Training includes principles of rescue as well as drills using avalanche probes and equipment. Actual avalanche control work and rescue operations are performed under the direction and control of ski area management or other authorized agencies. This program enhances the student's ability to travel and work safely and in reasonable comfort in the outdoor environment and to provide assistance and leadership in search and rescue situations. Subjects include winter survival and low-angle rescue work using ropes and tackle. |
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