Certified Program
Peter Neefus,
ENY Region, Certified Advisor
“CERTIFIED BEGINNINGS”
In 1964, National Director Chuck Schobinger forwarded a committee report, from the Southern Rocky Mountain Division, to George Wesson, Jr. to work out the details for a ‘Certified’ program. The report read: “It is the desire of the paid patrolmen of the NSPS to continually strive for higher standards for all ski patrolmen. Hence this Certified ski patrolmen program is instituted to give recognition to those who have devoted the extra time and effort to pursue a course of self development beyond the minimum requirements of the senior ski patrolmen. This program is necessary for the NSPS to keep pace with the technological developments in the sport of skiing and to encourage ski patrolmen to better fulfill the ever increasing demands and expectations of ski area management and the skiing public”1
The Eastern Division put together a committee of inspiring New England patrollers, which included George Wesson Jr., Rudy Carlson, Wayne Doss, Dexter Galusha, and Casey Rowley, to work out the details and proficiency requirements for a pilot program that would demand the highest level of proficiency from patrollers through training and testing and would promote a level of patrolling in which there would be no compromise with excellence in skiing, first aid, patrol management, administration and leadership. Two years later, during the 1967-68 season, the pilot program was launched. Thirty-four candidate applications were received of which only 8 were accepted. Seven candidates showed up at Wildcat Mt. in New Hampshire for the first ‘Certified’ Ski and Toboggan Exam. PSPA was asked for their help in administering the exam to help give credibility to the program for the professionals. The courses were long and challenging using the most difficult terrain Wildcat had to offer. All seven candidates were successful and were invited to the first ‘Certified’ First Aid Exam to be held at Killington in April 1968. The First Aid problems were challenging and realistic, many taken from actual accident reports of some of the most unusual or difficult accident scenarios New England Ski Areas had seen. In some scenarios the actual patients were asked to ‘relive’ their accidents by replaying the roles of patients during the exam. In addition to first aid skills, the candidates would be expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of patrol/management relationship and ski area operation knowledge. Interviews were conducted for each candidate as if the candidate were applying for a position of patrol leader at their mountain. In the early years of the program, the interviews were conducted by the actual owners and managers of the ski area. Questions concerning snowmaking and lifts, trail markings and grooming, staffing requirements and payroll, equipment needs and costs, mass casualty plans and risk management, legal and liability concerns, federal, state and local laws and protocol would all be fair game. All seven candidates again passed this portion of the exam becoming the first NSPS ‘Certified’ Patrollers.
It wasn’t until March of 1969, at the “Advanced Ski Patrol Techniques Clinic” which was held in conjunction with the “Mid-Season Officers Meeting” that the National Officer had a chance to review and accept the report of the Eastern Division ‘Certified’ Pilot Program to endorse the creation of the program. The Eastern Division went on to host demonstrations for the other divisions.
Over the past 30 years, the philosophy, purpose and objectives of the ‘Certified’ program have gone unchanged. The program content has seen the addition of an avalanche and low angle rescue module within the past 3-4 years. Today’s ‘Certified’ exam structure is a 3 day format consisting of the Skiing and Toboggan Skills on day 1 followed by First Aid, Interviews, Lift Evacuation, Low Angle Rescue, Avalanche, etc. on Day 2 and 3, followed by an annual business meeting in the afternoon on Day 3.
This program was set up to be a self-development program with the individual’s knowledge demonstrated through testing. Make no mistake about it, this is a ‘TEST’. The ‘Certified’ candidate is tested in 21 disciplines receiving a score in each. Some are Pass/Fail others are on a 1-10 scale with a score of 8 as a passing grade. The examiners pencils are very sharp, however from my own personal experiences found them to be extremely fair. Candidates are expected to practice and to seek out all necessary information ahead of time and come prepared to pass the “TEST” in one year, however there is a three year completion window.
The program envisioned by that group of talented individuals some 30 years ago, has become a successful program within the NSP System. With 600+ ‘Certified” patrollers nationally with each one earning their certification by demonstrating there skill and knowledge at a level without compromise in all areas of patrolling. This is NOT a ‘Good Old Boys Club’, like I had once perceived it, for many ‘Good Old Boys’ have come but have not succeeded, rather this IS a group of highly self motivated individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skills as Ski Patrol men and women.
1 Division Committee Report; Hartman Axley, Chairman, Southern Rocky Mountain Division
“GETTING STARTED”
Having discussed the history of the Certified Program as well as the goals and objectives of the program’s founders and briefly outlining the program’s content as it is today. If I didn’t scare you off by using the words “Test” or “Exam” a few to many times, and you’re looking for a rewarding and challenging patrolling adventure, then here’s my advice on beginning your ‘quest’ in the Certified Program.
#1) Don’t be in a rush to get started! Don’t go blindly into a program you know nothing about. You have only 3 years to complete the program once your application is accepted. Plan on taking a year or two to research the program, brush up on your weaker skills and then apply and start the clock a year or two down the road. Remember that the founders expected the candidates to come prepared, take time to do that.
#2) Talk to patrollers who have participated in the program. Visit and ski with these patrollers, ask questions about the program, the exam, what they did in preparation for the exam, where they found their study material and information. Ask them how they have benefited from the program.
#3) Attend the “Intro to Certified Program” clinic held each year in late January at Ski Windham. This is a hands-on, ‘question asking - answers given’ clinic, which covers all the modules of the Certified program. This is put on by the Certified members and provides an excellent opportunity to meet with, talk with and ski with members who have completed the program as well as other interested patrollers such as you from around the division.
#4) At this point, it may be wise to take a close look at what you’ve seen and heard in regards to the program and ask yourself if this is still something you would like to pursue and is it something that you can accomplish now or in the future. Be honest with yourself. If you feel positively about your abilities and you desire to continue, then I would suggest visiting the Certified exam as an observer. This is usually held the 3rd or 4th weekend of March. This will give you a first hand look at the exam prior to starting your 3-year clock. It provides you again with an opportunity to meet more candidates, members, examiners and staff; each of which can become a valuable resource in preparing you for your Certified patroller ‘quest’.
#5) Finally, over the summer review again all that you have learned and how your personal abilities will meet the goals of the program. Remember that this will turn out to be a three-year commitment, which can become costly when you consider the travel, lodging and meals each time you go to an event. If at this point you again feel compelled to continue and to get involved with the program, the steps for the application procedure are as follows for current NSP applicants:
· Fill out an “NSP Certified Candidate/ Recertification Application”
· Complete and submit your answers to the following essay questions:
1. Why do you want to be a Certified Patroller?
2. What do you expect to gain from the Certified Program?
3. What benefits can the Certified Program and NSP expect to gain from your participation?
4. Do you participate in training Patrol or Senior Candidates?
5. What do you contribute to your patrol beyond your required shifts?
6. Are you involved in lift evacuation training, CPR training, OEC training, etc.?
7. Do you have aspirations to assume a leadership position in your patrol, region or division?
8. How does your professional career benefit from your patrol activities or how does your patrol activities benefit from your professional career.
· Provide us with a letter of recommendation from your Patrol Director or Supervisor.
· Provide us with two (2) letters of recommendation from Certified Patrollers.
· Send all of these requirements to: “Credentials Committee Chairperson”
Contact me at: neefusp@aol.com for current chair info
This complete package must be received at least 30 days prior to the exam.
· Attend and successfully complete an approved Certified Pre-course.
The Credential committee reviews all applications and recommends or denies entry into the program.
The intent of this article is not to scare patrollers away from the Certified program. Rather, my intentions are to be up front and honest about the program before anyone gets involved. I have heard the Certified program referred to as a ‘Ph.D.’ graduate level in ski patrolling. It is certainly a “Do-able” program for an experienced ‘Senior’ level patroller with strong skiing, toboggan skills and OEC First Aid Skills.
I hope this will be helpful for anyone interested in the Certified program. If you would like more information on the Certified Program, please feel free to contact me at neefusp@aol.com .
