On-Hill Evaluations
Senior Alpine Patroller 2-8-2015
What a difference a year makes. Last season we had three candidates for the Senior On-hill
Evaluation. This year, ten candidates successfully completed all or part of their Senior On-hill
Requirements. Two candidates had previously completed one element of the evaluation (riding
or tobogganing) and both completed the remaining element. Six candidates completed both the
riding (ski or snowboard) and toboggan elements, one completed skiing and one completed
tobogganing. Mike Malanga of Schuss Mountain only needed to complete the senior skiing
element of the evaluation to complete the requirements for the senior classification. I’m happy
to announce that Mike was successful and is the NMR’s newest Senior Alpine Patroller.
Thanks to all the evaluators that came out to help this this year’s senior event. You kept all the
candidates relaxed and enjoying the day despite the wind and sub-zero temperatures.
Alpine Patroller 2-21 & 22, 2015
Two Alpine Patroller (formerly Basic) evaluations were conducted this past weekend at the
Otsego Ski Club for Sections 2 and 3 and Nub’s Nob for Section 1. I’m happy to announce that
the Region has 10 new Alpine Patrollers and four candidates that completed the Alpine Patroller
Evaluation as the first step toward becoming Ski Patrollers. These four will be enrolled in OEC
classes during the off-season. Congratulations to all the successful candidates and the trainers
that prepared them. Thanks to all the evaluators that contributed their time and created an
atmosphere that allowed these candidates to demonstrate their skills.
OEC Module of the Senior Program (formerly SEM)
Region focus now turns to OEC. Recent changes to the OEC Module require that candidates lead several
“on-the-snow” training scenarios prior to the formal evaluation. NMR will conduct a pre-evaluation
clinic to help candidates meet this requirement and to provide feedback on their preparedness for the
final evaluation. At the senior level candidates are expected to provide care as prescribed by the current
edition of the OEC Manual just as we do every day on the hill. At the senior level however, “scenarios
require handling complex situations involving decision making, problem management and leadership”.
Scenarios are selected by the National OEC Committee and provided to the Region. The OEC Module of
the Senior Program Manual states “scenarios must include a multiple injury scenario and a multiple
patient scenario. In addition, one “Final” scenario must include the use of a backboard.”
Staging these events is labor intensive. Each scenario will include a patient, 2 or 3 helpers and at
least two evaluators. In addition each candidate will have an assigned evaluator who will observe
the candidate in all scenarios. If my count is right that’s at least six people at each station. The
patient does not need to be a patroller (but does need to have good acting skills). Helpers can be
Alpine, Senior or Certified Patrollers and do not need to be OEC Instructors. At this point we have 10 candidates for the Pre-EvaluationClinic on March 1st at Tree Tops and the OEC Module Final
Evaluation on March 15th at Schuss. To make a long story short, Rod Kivel will need at least 30 – 40
patrollers, spouses, children, neighbors, etc. including 20+ evaluators to efficiently run each of
these events. Please contact Rod Kivel at [email protected] if you can help or know
someone who can. With enough help these events will run very well. Without it, candidates and
evaluators will be in for some very long days.
Outstanding Awards
The deadline for submitting Outstanding Awards (Patroller, Patrol, Patrol Director, Administrator,
Instructor and OEC Instructor) is March 1st. Please email the MS Word applications to Virginia
Rodeman at [email protected].
The Region Awards Meeting will be held following the OEC Evaluation on March 15th. Section
Chief’s please remember to mark your calendars.
Dick Jacques
Northern Michigan Region Director
Senior Alpine Patroller 2-8-2015
What a difference a year makes. Last season we had three candidates for the Senior On-hill
Evaluation. This year, ten candidates successfully completed all or part of their Senior On-hill
Requirements. Two candidates had previously completed one element of the evaluation (riding
or tobogganing) and both completed the remaining element. Six candidates completed both the
riding (ski or snowboard) and toboggan elements, one completed skiing and one completed
tobogganing. Mike Malanga of Schuss Mountain only needed to complete the senior skiing
element of the evaluation to complete the requirements for the senior classification. I’m happy
to announce that Mike was successful and is the NMR’s newest Senior Alpine Patroller.
Thanks to all the evaluators that came out to help this this year’s senior event. You kept all the
candidates relaxed and enjoying the day despite the wind and sub-zero temperatures.
Alpine Patroller 2-21 & 22, 2015
Two Alpine Patroller (formerly Basic) evaluations were conducted this past weekend at the
Otsego Ski Club for Sections 2 and 3 and Nub’s Nob for Section 1. I’m happy to announce that
the Region has 10 new Alpine Patrollers and four candidates that completed the Alpine Patroller
Evaluation as the first step toward becoming Ski Patrollers. These four will be enrolled in OEC
classes during the off-season. Congratulations to all the successful candidates and the trainers
that prepared them. Thanks to all the evaluators that contributed their time and created an
atmosphere that allowed these candidates to demonstrate their skills.
OEC Module of the Senior Program (formerly SEM)
Region focus now turns to OEC. Recent changes to the OEC Module require that candidates lead several
“on-the-snow” training scenarios prior to the formal evaluation. NMR will conduct a pre-evaluation
clinic to help candidates meet this requirement and to provide feedback on their preparedness for the
final evaluation. At the senior level candidates are expected to provide care as prescribed by the current
edition of the OEC Manual just as we do every day on the hill. At the senior level however, “scenarios
require handling complex situations involving decision making, problem management and leadership”.
Scenarios are selected by the National OEC Committee and provided to the Region. The OEC Module of
the Senior Program Manual states “scenarios must include a multiple injury scenario and a multiple
patient scenario. In addition, one “Final” scenario must include the use of a backboard.”
Staging these events is labor intensive. Each scenario will include a patient, 2 or 3 helpers and at
least two evaluators. In addition each candidate will have an assigned evaluator who will observe
the candidate in all scenarios. If my count is right that’s at least six people at each station. The
patient does not need to be a patroller (but does need to have good acting skills). Helpers can be
Alpine, Senior or Certified Patrollers and do not need to be OEC Instructors. At this point we have 10 candidates for the Pre-EvaluationClinic on March 1st at Tree Tops and the OEC Module Final
Evaluation on March 15th at Schuss. To make a long story short, Rod Kivel will need at least 30 – 40
patrollers, spouses, children, neighbors, etc. including 20+ evaluators to efficiently run each of
these events. Please contact Rod Kivel at [email protected] if you can help or know
someone who can. With enough help these events will run very well. Without it, candidates and
evaluators will be in for some very long days.
Outstanding Awards
The deadline for submitting Outstanding Awards (Patroller, Patrol, Patrol Director, Administrator,
Instructor and OEC Instructor) is March 1st. Please email the MS Word applications to Virginia
Rodeman at [email protected].
The Region Awards Meeting will be held following the OEC Evaluation on March 15th. Section
Chief’s please remember to mark your calendars.
Dick Jacques
Northern Michigan Region Director