The Eastern Division Certified Program celebrated its 10th anniversary Certified Boot Camp held at HurriKane Cove in Harrison, Maine. Everyone asked how we were going to better last year's Chondola derailment complete with low angle rescue; we did it with a simulated plane crash onto a campsite. This involved many months of preparation and support from our dedicated Certified members and that of state agencies, including state police, the Harrison Fire Department, Central EMS, and other members of the community.
We had five NSP board reps present (one from Central — thanks for coming, Jay and Dana Zedak), the NSP National Young Adult advisor, a division director, three region directors, and a host of other program leaders present to contribute and support this event. For instance, our national board chair was also the breakfast master for Saturday and Sunday. Other board members were acting as patients or filming for training opportunities. Program leaders worked hand in hand with prospective Certified candidates to ensure safe handling of the scene and patients.
The NSP board approved an Incident Command System requirement in June 2018: completion of the ICS-100 course. This online, self-paced course, can be taken at https://training.fema.gov/is/ courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b. The Eastern Division looked at this as an opportunity to get ICS front and center with our membership. What better program to work this through than the Certified leadership?
They quickly got to work and made it happen. With the resources provided from several agencies and at the direction of Ed McNamara (an expert in the Incident Command System), we all learned a lot. We proved that this will be a valued, needed, and worthwhile addition to the qualifications for an incoming patroller and all patrollers.
As mentioned above, we incorporated ICS with an Outdoor Emergency Care mass casualty problem that required the "first in" to assume command and control with several agencies on site. Nothing fake here! A real airplane, fire trucks, and rescue squads responded with lights and sirens. You would have felt this was the real thing! Check out many pictures and movie clips on Facebook to get an understanding of the scope of the event.
We also introduced the new outdoor risk management (ORM) module for discussion and its practical view on risk tolerances of our area resorts and other related environments. The ORM subject matter created a lot of thoughtful and practical discussion for its application in our work environment and processes. The information was very well-received, and I look forward to using these best practices.
Low angle rescue (LAR), Avalanche, and lift evacuation were among the modules practiced over the two-day event. We had two Nordic Masters on hand; how lucky were we to combine these high level skill sets and knowledge to work toward combined and best practices on behalf of our candidates! We also had a host of Professional Ski Patrol Association Certified members there to further discuss the expectations of both programs. In short, we had the best of the best on hand for the benefit of the member trying to develop a higher skill for themselves.
Another subject of importance discussed was harassment. It is important to note that we are not writing policy on this matter, but only to make people aware of how their actions and words can impact others when at events. The Eastern Division will be introducing the subject as a matter of awareness at all of its leadership programs, such as OEC instructor trainer refreshers, Outdoor Emergency Transportation Patroller Schools, and other division and region program events.
As NSP is not writing policy on this matter, it is a resort issue. Our mission at the division and region level is to make us all aware of our actions and how they can impact our membership. Hopefully, we continue to deliver programs in a positive light for productive outcomes.
Did I mention that we had FUN in all of this? Of course we did! Between the water skiing, boat rides and tours, campfires, and the great food, it was all great FUN! We always try to hold this event during the last full weekend in July, so keep your eye on the calendar and make your reservations early … now, if you want. See you next year!
John Kane
Eastern Division Director
We had five NSP board reps present (one from Central — thanks for coming, Jay and Dana Zedak), the NSP National Young Adult advisor, a division director, three region directors, and a host of other program leaders present to contribute and support this event. For instance, our national board chair was also the breakfast master for Saturday and Sunday. Other board members were acting as patients or filming for training opportunities. Program leaders worked hand in hand with prospective Certified candidates to ensure safe handling of the scene and patients.
The NSP board approved an Incident Command System requirement in June 2018: completion of the ICS-100 course. This online, self-paced course, can be taken at https://training.fema.gov/is/ courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b. The Eastern Division looked at this as an opportunity to get ICS front and center with our membership. What better program to work this through than the Certified leadership?
They quickly got to work and made it happen. With the resources provided from several agencies and at the direction of Ed McNamara (an expert in the Incident Command System), we all learned a lot. We proved that this will be a valued, needed, and worthwhile addition to the qualifications for an incoming patroller and all patrollers.
As mentioned above, we incorporated ICS with an Outdoor Emergency Care mass casualty problem that required the "first in" to assume command and control with several agencies on site. Nothing fake here! A real airplane, fire trucks, and rescue squads responded with lights and sirens. You would have felt this was the real thing! Check out many pictures and movie clips on Facebook to get an understanding of the scope of the event.
We also introduced the new outdoor risk management (ORM) module for discussion and its practical view on risk tolerances of our area resorts and other related environments. The ORM subject matter created a lot of thoughtful and practical discussion for its application in our work environment and processes. The information was very well-received, and I look forward to using these best practices.
Low angle rescue (LAR), Avalanche, and lift evacuation were among the modules practiced over the two-day event. We had two Nordic Masters on hand; how lucky were we to combine these high level skill sets and knowledge to work toward combined and best practices on behalf of our candidates! We also had a host of Professional Ski Patrol Association Certified members there to further discuss the expectations of both programs. In short, we had the best of the best on hand for the benefit of the member trying to develop a higher skill for themselves.
Another subject of importance discussed was harassment. It is important to note that we are not writing policy on this matter, but only to make people aware of how their actions and words can impact others when at events. The Eastern Division will be introducing the subject as a matter of awareness at all of its leadership programs, such as OEC instructor trainer refreshers, Outdoor Emergency Transportation Patroller Schools, and other division and region program events.
As NSP is not writing policy on this matter, it is a resort issue. Our mission at the division and region level is to make us all aware of our actions and how they can impact our membership. Hopefully, we continue to deliver programs in a positive light for productive outcomes.
Did I mention that we had FUN in all of this? Of course we did! Between the water skiing, boat rides and tours, campfires, and the great food, it was all great FUN! We always try to hold this event during the last full weekend in July, so keep your eye on the calendar and make your reservations early … now, if you want. See you next year!
John Kane
Eastern Division Director