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Ski Patrol
Holiday Valley ski patrollers have completed a thorough, demanding training program. We further refine our skills annually through ongoing training in skiing or snowboarding, toboggan handling, first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automatic external defibrillation (AED), lift evacuation, and snowmobile operations. Holiday Valley has a highly experienced patrol, with members averaging 18 years of ski patrol service. The skill level of Holiday Valley patrollers is so high that 34 of 106 members hold National Ski Patrol instructor certification qualifying them to train and evaluate patrollers. Every year, Holiday Valley hosts first aid, skiing & snowboarding, and toboggan-handling training events for patrollers from other resorts. Sixty-seven of the patrol’s members have completed a National Ski Patrol supplementary training program to achieve the level of “Senior” patroller. Senior training involves complex patient care situations and extensive handling of rescue toboggans on expert mogul terrain. Many members of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol have received NSP awards for their individual contributions to safety, patient care, training, and program administration. Twenty-eight members hold the National Ski Patrol’s prestigious National Appointment. The award is given only to those who have completed the demanding Senior program and have demonstrated extensive leadership in NSP programs. In addition, eleven members of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol currently hold officer or staff positions within the National Ski Patrol, beyond the level of our own patrol. Three of our patrollers also work at the NSP National level: Jim Decker was elected to the twelve member NSP National Board in 2007, Randy McNeil was appointed NSP National Transportation Program Director in 2007 and Dr. David Johe was appointed NSP National Medical Advisor in 2008. Our Patrol Director, Dan Meess, and Assistant Directors, Greg Boberg, Eric Bowen and Kevin Lizak, have over 69 years of combined patrol experience. The Holiday Valley Ski Patrol is a self-sustaining rescue organization composed almost entirely of volunteers. Each member pays annual dues and training fees. Members also purchase and maintain their ski equipment and first aid packs and pay part of the cost of our easily recognized red and black uniforms. The Holiday Valley Ski Patrol purchases and maintains radios, rescue toboggans, specialized splints, oxygen, and other first aid supplies and training materials. Although our patrol raises its own funds to support operating expenses, our services are always provided free of charge. We are proud of the prompt, professional services provided by the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol. We hope that you will enjoy your visits to Holiday Valley more just knowing that we are skiing and snowboarding with you and your family. We appreciate your support at our sausage & beer tent at the Ellicottville Fall Festival and our pancake breakfast on the slopes at Winter Carnival. Your tax-deductible contributions are also most appreciated, and inquiries about membership are welcome. Visit the Upper Ski Patrol Room at the base of Yodeler, contact the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol, P.O. Box 370, Ellicottville, NY 14731 or email us. Volunteering for the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol - Is It for You?"How do you become a ski patroller?" As patrollers, we've all answered that question dozens of times, usually while riding chairlifts. Most of us will gladly talk your ear off about our training, our duties, and our pride in being a part of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol. Regardless of the weather, our volunteers patrol two scheduled shifts each week. While much of our time is spent enjoying the slopes, our first priority is to respond to persons who may be injured. Requests for assistance are communicated by radio, and patrollers respond on skis, snowboards, and snowmobiles. We consider it part of our job to give information or a friendly hand to anyone at Holiday Valley. We also staff our first aid room, search for missing persons, complete reports, and assist with the opening and closing of trails. Training is something we do continuously. Members of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol participate in continuing education each year in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automatic external defibrillation (AED), first aid, patrol room procedures, skiing and/or snowboarding, toboggan handling, snowmobile operations, and chairlift evacuation techniques. The greatest amount of training occurs during the "candidate" year with the patrol. From September through November, new candidates participate in an 80-hour National Ski Patrol first aid course in Hamburg, NY. The Outdoor Emergency Care course includes written and practical exams. From December through February, candidates fine-tune skiing or snowboarding skills, develop toboggan handling capabilities, and practice first aid in the snow. Upon passing final on-snow exams, a candidate becomes a ski patroller and can proudly wear our red-and-black uniform with the white cross of the National Ski Patrol and the circular insignia of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol.
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