Mt. Baldy Ski Patrol aids public
As families gear up for fun on the slopes, members of the Mt. Baldy Ski Patrol are already hard a work training to keep winter sports enthusiasts safe this season.
Last month, the Mt. Baldy Ski Patrol joined representatives from the Mt. Baldy Fire Department and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Aviation department for their annual On-the-Hill event. Meant to be a refresher course for the ski patrol's active members, the day-long converence covered some very important life-saving techniques to keep visitors to the mountain safe throughout the winter season
It's always good to get all parties involved in operations," said Assistant Fire Chief Graham Hendrickkson of Mt. Baldy Fire. "It was productive and the people from Mt. Baldy Fire that attended learned some new things. Anytime we can further our educaiton is helpful."
Each year, the men and women of the thre organizations spend hours sharpening essential skills to help save lives on the often treacherous runs. Altough each organization has its assigned role, Mr. DeLeo said, they are often forced to work together in a clutch.
A few years ago, crews were called to make four air evacuations in a single week. Without proper coordination between the three mountain organizations, Mr. DeLeo said, the rescues would not have been possible.
"We all have a job to do, but when the thre interplay together, you learn more," he said. "The more you learn about what other peope do, the more efficient y ou can be in your own job."
The Mt. Baldy patrol is a part of the National Ski Patrol, one of the largest winter rescue organizations in the world. Founded in 1938, the NSP has more than 28,500 members in 60 sites scattered across the globe with the common goal of keeping skiers and snowboarers safe. Although Mt. Baldy's core group of members des include a few medical professionals, staff members represent a wide array of occuations from lawyers to small business owners.
Even more remarkable, a large majority of Mt. Baldy Fire and Ski Patrol staff who regularly risk their lives to save others are unpaid volunteers.
"When you talk to patrollers and ask them why they joined, you realize the real reason they are there is to help people," Mr. DeLeo said. "It's a gratifying feeling to help injured people. I don't know when I feel better than when I'm up on the mountain."
With the start of the ski season all three organizations ar prepared to help Mt. Baldy residents and visitors when they hit the slopes. The ski patrol and the fire department's all-volunteer staff of mountain rescuers will be patrolling the runs all season long, making sure that skiers have a safe Baldy experience. With rescure crews trained and ready to go, winter sports enthusiasts can rest assured that they are in good hands.
"The national patrol does quite a bit for us," said Ron Ellingson, Vice President for Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts. "It helps with our customers and makes everyone's experiences better. It's amazing the amount of energy they have."
For more information, or to join the Mt. Baldy Ski Patrol, contact them through their web site at http://www.mtbaldyskipatrol.com.
Travis Kaya
Claremont Courier
Jan 2, 2008
