Outdoor Risk Management (ORM) Module - Certified
Module Overview
Risk management is the process of identifying potential risks (in advance of their occurrence), analyzing them and identifying and applying precautionary steps to reduce, eliminate or transfer the risk as well as identification of proper procedures to document and manage a risk post incident. For this module, the Candidate shall demonstrate a broad knowledge of local area management plans, policies, guidelines and procedures, as well as general daily operations with an emphasis on practical on-hill Generally Accepted Industry Practices (GAIPs). The Candidate shall demonstrate knowledge of the Candidate’s home area’s risk management Internal Operating Procedures (IOPs), including general patrol operations and administration and a general
understanding of pre- and post-loss risk management. It is expected that the Candidate will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, problem management, decision-making, and resource management as it pertains to risk management and operations while acting in the capacity of a Patrol Director or Patrol Supervisor. Upon successful completion of this module, the Candidate shall have demonstrated a broad knowledge and practical application of ORM concepts, skills, leadership, decision making and problem management in complex scenario situations.
Risk management is the process of identifying potential risks (in advance of their occurrence), analyzing them and identifying and applying precautionary steps to reduce, eliminate or transfer the risk as well as identification of proper procedures to document and manage a risk post incident. For this module, the Candidate shall demonstrate a broad knowledge of local area management plans, policies, guidelines and procedures, as well as general daily operations with an emphasis on practical on-hill Generally Accepted Industry Practices (GAIPs). The Candidate shall demonstrate knowledge of the Candidate’s home area’s risk management Internal Operating Procedures (IOPs), including general patrol operations and administration and a general
understanding of pre- and post-loss risk management. It is expected that the Candidate will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, problem management, decision-making, and resource management as it pertains to risk management and operations while acting in the capacity of a Patrol Director or Patrol Supervisor. Upon successful completion of this module, the Candidate shall have demonstrated a broad knowledge and practical application of ORM concepts, skills, leadership, decision making and problem management in complex scenario situations.
Pre-Exam
- NSP (ORM) Course Completion
- Candidates are required to take the NSP ORM course, which consists of 10 modules and is accessed through the NSP Center for Learning.
- A certificate of completion shall be presented to the at least 30 days prior to the examination date.
- Candidates are required to take the NSP ORM course, which consists of 10 modules and is accessed through the NSP Center for Learning.
- Interview: An interview will be conducted to assess the Candidate’s knowledge and comprehension of the ORM concepts and content.
- On-hill Practical Application Assessment: An on-hill component will be conducted to assess the Candidate’s practical application of the ORM concepts and content.
Component Details
Interview
This segment of the ORM module is conducted indoors and will consist of an interview with the Candidate to review the following topics and evaluate the Candidate’s understanding of the subject matter. Candidates should possess an understanding of and be able to explain and/or define the following:
Interview
This segment of the ORM module is conducted indoors and will consist of an interview with the Candidate to review the following topics and evaluate the Candidate’s understanding of the subject matter. Candidates should possess an understanding of and be able to explain and/or define the following:
- Understanding Risk Management concepts: Pre-loss, post-loss, inherent risk, assumption/acceptance of risk, safe vs reasonably safe, shared responsibility, hazard vs obstacle, etc.
- NSP and NSAA Relationship: What are these organizations and how do they relate to risk and patrol management?
- Legal and Regulatory: General legal concepts (e.g., statute of limitations, Good Samaritan Law, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act, American with Disabilities Act, Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and State Ski Statutes and/or County Ordinances (e.g., acceptance of inherent risk, legal obligations)
- Standards: ANSI B77.1, ASTM F27 and the absence of standards
- Generally Accepted Industry Practices and Principles (GAIPP): What knowledgeable, experienced ski area operators do under similar circumstances/situations
- United States Forest Service (USFS): What are the differences in operations on federal land administered by the USFS.
- Internal/Company Operations: Development, application and implementation of plans, policies, guidelines, and internal operating plans (IOPs)
- Consistency/Compliance with applicable Law, Standards, GAIPP, USFS, and Internal/Company Operations
- Ski Area “Safety” Education Programs (both guest and resort/employee facing)
- Patrol Operations
- Staff Management
- Patrol Departmental Manual (developed, updated regularly and trained)
- Pre-Loss Risk Identification and Mitigation Activities/Programs (written plans/procedures and/or written criteria?)
- Logs/Records/Forms Used
- Post-Loss Risk Management Plans, Procedures and Activities General (e.g., communication and dispatch procedures, incident investigation)
- Emergency Response and Preparedness (e.g., crisis communication plan, lift evaluation plan, fire evacuation plan)
- Missing Persons/Search and Rescue Procedures
- Boundary Management Plan/Procedures
- Snow Safety and Avalanche Mitigation Activities
- Staff Management
- Snowmobile & Other Over-the-Snow Vehicle Operations: When used or not used, operations manual, training requirements, transporting guests, escorts, etc.
- Other Departments (e.g., Ski & Snowboard School, Terrain Park, Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Grooming, Snowmaking)
On-hill Practical Application Assessment
This segment of the ORM module is conducted outside/on-the-hill. A general tour will be conducted of the ski area facilities, using the mountain as a “classroom”, to provide the basis for questions and inquiry, pertaining to the subject matter topics previously listed above for the interview. This segment will assess the Candidate’s practical application of the ORM concepts and content.
This segment of the ORM module is conducted outside/on-the-hill. A general tour will be conducted of the ski area facilities, using the mountain as a “classroom”, to provide the basis for questions and inquiry, pertaining to the subject matter topics previously listed above for the interview. This segment will assess the Candidate’s practical application of the ORM concepts and content.
- Ski Area Tour: Base area, Lift Bottom Terminal, Lift Line, Unload Area, Ski Trails, and Terrain Parks
- Discussion will be based on the application of the topics noted in the Interview segment with a particular focus on Patrol Operations
Scoring Criteria and Critical Indicators
Scoring Criteria
Critical Performance Indicators
Scoring Criteria
- Pass/Fail for the combined interview and on-hill practical application assessment
Critical Performance Indicators
- Interview Component
- The Candidate must be able to competently communicate knowledge and comprehension of the ORM content identified in the Component Details Interview section to successfully ‘Pass’ the interview.
- The Candidate must be able to competently communicate knowledge and comprehension of the ORM content identified in the Component Details Interview section to successfully ‘Pass’ the interview.
- On-Hill Practical Application Assessment Component
- The Candidate must be able to apply and describe their ORM knowledge in a practical setting, to various aspects of operations (lifts, trails, terrain parks, padding, fencing, signage, etc.) using situations and locations observed around the ski area.