RD’s Ramblings will become a regular update of Region, Division and National information that just
can’t wait for our next meeting. If skiing doesn’t get in the way, I’ll try and send at least a short note each Tuesday. I ask everyone’s help. I need your input on news from your patrol, section or program each Monday and I’ll include it with my Ramblings.
This week I’ll start with a couple things from National:
Patroller 101
WHAT is it? It’s an umbrella for new patroller and continuing education within your patrol.
Basic Teaching Modules can include:
Risk Management ·
Adapting to the Outdoor Environment ·
Toboggan Handling ·
Scene Management / Incident Command System ·
Rope and Belay Skills ·
The National Ski Patrol ·
Ski Area Management ·
Role of the Volunteer Patroller ·
Guest Services
This course should be supplemented by area-specific training in policy, procedure, practice, and equipment.
WHY should you register a Patroller 101 Course?
A registered Introduction to Ski Patrolling course ensures that your patrol's trainers are covered under the NSP's general liability policy while they instruct your candidates. ·
A simple spreadsheet can help you better track your candidates' progress through training. ·
Your candidates will receive the same messages about important topics as other candidates throughout the country. ·
Your candidates will get a well-rounded patroller education. ·
The training curriculum provides instruction in the fundamental skills needed to perform entry level patrolling duties
WHO should register this course?
The NSP instructor of any discipline who is responsible for overseeing and keeping records for the course within your patrol.
WHEN should you register your course?
As soon as you have new candidates.
WHAT else do you need to do?
Make sure your candidates sign a waiver (available in the Into to Patrolling Manual)
Teach the modules noted above
Close the course when completed
Hand out Certificates of Completion (sent when you register)
Questions? Contact Vicki Zierden at [email protected] or 952-884-8126
(Portions of the above blandly stolen form Vicki Zierden Central Division Patroller 101 Supervisor) email to RD’s.
Toboggan Refreshers
We all know that all Alpine Patrollers and above must complete an annual Toboggan Refresher. Did you know that there in a NSP class for this annual refresher and do you use it? OK that was a loaded question. A recent Central Division Review shows that only two Region Patrols have registered Toboggan Refreshers with National.
WHY should we register our refresher? ·
A registered Toboggan Refresher course ensures that your patrol's toboggan trainers are covered under the NSP's general liability policy while they instruct your refresher. (Sound familiar?)
Will create a record of completion on the patroller’s National Record
WHO should register this course?
Whoever is responsible for conducting and documenting your annual Toboggan Refresher
WHEN should you register your course? ·
Before the start of each season
WHAT else do you need to do?
Teach the refresher ·
Close the course when completed or at the end of the season, whichever comes first.
Training Programs
Our Region OEC and Proficiency teams are putting the finishing touches on this season’s Ski, Toboggan and OEC training programs. First up will be the Region On-Hill instructor Calibration Clinic on January 4th and the Candidates Clinic January 5th both
at Schuss Mountain. Bob Anderson and his team are planning many changes to these programs to make them more rewarding and fun.
The annual Region Ski and Toboggan Enhancement Seminars are scheduled for January 26 and 27th at Boyne Highlands. The proficiency team is continuing their efforts to make these fun and educational events. This year’s plan includes hands on instruction learning to:
Drive a 4 handled sled
Rig ropes for low angle rescue
Perform an avalanche beacon search and rescue
Handle a sled off trail in backcountry terrain
Compete in the 2nd annual toboggan race and patroller skills competition
All this plus some pointers from the best Ski Patrol and PSIA instructors in the Region and a weekend of skiing at Boyne Highlands for just $25.00. We will send full schedule and registration information in the next of couple weeks. This weekend is open to all patrollers, not just Alpine Patroller and Senior Candidates.
Senior Program
We need your help to identify On-hill and OEC Senior Candidates for this year. I sent an email to all Alpine Patrollers in the region inviting them to join, or continue, in the Senior Program but we need a little push from our Patrol Directors to get candidates to complete the Senior Candidate Registration Form on the Region WEB Site so we know how to plan.
OK I’ve said enough for one week. I don’t want to use all my material before the season starts.
Dick Jacques
Northern Michigan Region Director
can’t wait for our next meeting. If skiing doesn’t get in the way, I’ll try and send at least a short note each Tuesday. I ask everyone’s help. I need your input on news from your patrol, section or program each Monday and I’ll include it with my Ramblings.
This week I’ll start with a couple things from National:
Patroller 101
WHAT is it? It’s an umbrella for new patroller and continuing education within your patrol.
Basic Teaching Modules can include:
Risk Management ·
Adapting to the Outdoor Environment ·
Toboggan Handling ·
Scene Management / Incident Command System ·
Rope and Belay Skills ·
The National Ski Patrol ·
Ski Area Management ·
Role of the Volunteer Patroller ·
Guest Services
This course should be supplemented by area-specific training in policy, procedure, practice, and equipment.
WHY should you register a Patroller 101 Course?
A registered Introduction to Ski Patrolling course ensures that your patrol's trainers are covered under the NSP's general liability policy while they instruct your candidates. ·
A simple spreadsheet can help you better track your candidates' progress through training. ·
Your candidates will receive the same messages about important topics as other candidates throughout the country. ·
Your candidates will get a well-rounded patroller education. ·
The training curriculum provides instruction in the fundamental skills needed to perform entry level patrolling duties
WHO should register this course?
The NSP instructor of any discipline who is responsible for overseeing and keeping records for the course within your patrol.
WHEN should you register your course?
As soon as you have new candidates.
WHAT else do you need to do?
Make sure your candidates sign a waiver (available in the Into to Patrolling Manual)
Teach the modules noted above
Close the course when completed
Hand out Certificates of Completion (sent when you register)
Questions? Contact Vicki Zierden at [email protected] or 952-884-8126
(Portions of the above blandly stolen form Vicki Zierden Central Division Patroller 101 Supervisor) email to RD’s.
Toboggan Refreshers
We all know that all Alpine Patrollers and above must complete an annual Toboggan Refresher. Did you know that there in a NSP class for this annual refresher and do you use it? OK that was a loaded question. A recent Central Division Review shows that only two Region Patrols have registered Toboggan Refreshers with National.
WHY should we register our refresher? ·
A registered Toboggan Refresher course ensures that your patrol's toboggan trainers are covered under the NSP's general liability policy while they instruct your refresher. (Sound familiar?)
Will create a record of completion on the patroller’s National Record
WHO should register this course?
Whoever is responsible for conducting and documenting your annual Toboggan Refresher
WHEN should you register your course? ·
Before the start of each season
WHAT else do you need to do?
Teach the refresher ·
Close the course when completed or at the end of the season, whichever comes first.
Training Programs
Our Region OEC and Proficiency teams are putting the finishing touches on this season’s Ski, Toboggan and OEC training programs. First up will be the Region On-Hill instructor Calibration Clinic on January 4th and the Candidates Clinic January 5th both
at Schuss Mountain. Bob Anderson and his team are planning many changes to these programs to make them more rewarding and fun.
The annual Region Ski and Toboggan Enhancement Seminars are scheduled for January 26 and 27th at Boyne Highlands. The proficiency team is continuing their efforts to make these fun and educational events. This year’s plan includes hands on instruction learning to:
Drive a 4 handled sled
Rig ropes for low angle rescue
Perform an avalanche beacon search and rescue
Handle a sled off trail in backcountry terrain
Compete in the 2nd annual toboggan race and patroller skills competition
All this plus some pointers from the best Ski Patrol and PSIA instructors in the Region and a weekend of skiing at Boyne Highlands for just $25.00. We will send full schedule and registration information in the next of couple weeks. This weekend is open to all patrollers, not just Alpine Patroller and Senior Candidates.
Senior Program
We need your help to identify On-hill and OEC Senior Candidates for this year. I sent an email to all Alpine Patrollers in the region inviting them to join, or continue, in the Senior Program but we need a little push from our Patrol Directors to get candidates to complete the Senior Candidate Registration Form on the Region WEB Site so we know how to plan.
OK I’ve said enough for one week. I don’t want to use all my material before the season starts.
Dick Jacques
Northern Michigan Region Director