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Show Ski patrol volunteers dedicated to service V By RANDY DANIELS Record Reporter BRIAN HEAD What national, nonprofit non-profit organization, part of which is located at Brian Head, can trace its ' beginnings to New England where a farmer refused to help a man stranded on a snowy slope with a broken ankle? Stephen Haggerty, along with . thousands of others around the nation, will say that the organization is the National Ski Patrol System. A veteran of Ski Patrol work and the National Patrol Leader at Brian Head, Haggerty pointedout the uniquesness of the NSPS in an exclusive, on the slopes, Record interview last week. Essentially, Haggerty stated that Ski Patrollers are a dedicated group of volunteers that contribute significant portions of their lives and energies to the sport of skiing to make it safer and more enjoyable, and to injured skiers so that they can best be served by ever-improving ever-improving rescue and first aid techniques. The NSPS is divided into several different levels in order to regulate itself and to maintain the professionalism necessary. "Basically, there are six steps in the organization: the national, the divisional, the regional, the sectional, the patrol and the patroiler," said Haggerty. "At Brian Head, we're located in Intermountain Division, Utah Region, Southern Section. Brian Head National Ski Patrol." Haggerty was recently elected to be the Patrol Leader at Brian Head by the Ski Patrol members; however, as he pointed out, "once you're elected, that doesn't mean you've got it made. Management of the resort has final say as to who will fill the position. Hopefully, as in my case, we try to have both." The National Patrollers are mostly volunteer; however, the do receive a small amount of reimbursement to maintain their skiing equipment. "It's no different than in the past; they're still doing us a great service. They're a great asset. There's no way we can do it without them," said Hyatt Bentley, Brian Head Mountain manager. "That's what we want, too," interjected Haggerty. "We want to provide a better service than can be bought. We're not doing a service if we just pick up bodies on the slopes; there's a lot more to what we do and offer." In addition to "picking up bodies" the Patrol does a whole lot more. Members act as an on-the-slopes police force; they give directions; they assist skiers in any way possible; they inspect life equipment; they offer expert first aid training, lift evacuation, avalanche rescue procedures and toboggan handling. Very interested in public relations the Patrol maintains a very high standard of excellence. "We want people to know that we're here. We want them to know that we care. We want them to know that we'll help them in any way possible," said Haggerty. "But mostly, we want more good people, that care, to join our organization." To join the service group takes some dedication in itself. As Haggerty said, "you've got to be dedicated to service because we don't want to hire someone for the pay, we want the person that will volunteer his time for service. That's the type of person that makes a good patroiler." All candidates must fulfill the following preliminary requirements: hold a current American National Red Cross advanced first aid and emergency care card or be an emergency medical technician. Also the candidate must purchase the NSPS manuals for study and training, complete the NSPS winter first aid course, fulfill the required training directed by the Ski Patrol leader, demonstrate an attitude of being a good future Ski Patroiler, hold a current CPR Certificate arid, then after all that, the Patrol members at the resort have a final vote on whether or not they feel they can work with the new member or that the candidate will fit in as a good Patroiler. "The requirements might seem tough, but they are worth it," commented Haggerty. "I've never had a feeling Of satisfaction quite as strong as when I'm patrolling." Haggerty also pointed out that this evening the CPR and advanced first aid and emergency care course begins at 7 p.m. in the National Guard Armory. "If they have the cards, we'll work to make them patrollers," he said. The New England farmer who refused to help the stranded man commented that anyone foolish enough to ski deserves whatever fate offered. The farmer probably never realized that Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole, the stranded man, would, in a few weeks, organize the National Ski Patrol System so that something was done to promote ski safety and rescue, and to ensure that no one would ever experience the pain he suffered.' "We're a public service organization. We promote public safety," concluded Haggerty. "Above anything else, that's our concern." |