o ver the s now v ehicles
DESCRIPTION
O ver the S now V ehicles. Chuck Martschinke National Ski Patrol Central Division. Patrol Survey. Do you use OSV Sent via email to all patrols Approximately 125 32 responses Two areas, reported twice One reported on requirements of NY state. Do you use?. 14 use snowmobiles - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
August 2007August 2007 11
OOver the ver the SSnow now VVehiclesehicles
Chuck MartschinkeChuck Martschinke
National Ski PatrolNational Ski Patrol
Central DivisionCentral Division
August 2007August 2007 22
Patrol SurveyPatrol Survey
• Do you use OSV
• Sent via email to all patrols
• Approximately 125
• 32 responses
• Two areas, reported twice
• One reported on requirements of NY state
August 2007August 2007 33
Do you use?Do you use?
• 14 use snowmobiles
• 5 use some form of 4x
• 7 use a combination of both
• 6 use none (2 Nordic parks)– Area management does not allow them– Park rangers bring them if needed
August 2007August 2007 44
What for?What for?
• Patient movementpulling loaded toboggans
– Up hill 13• Due to patrol room location
– Down hill 12• Usually due to limited personnel (weekdays)
– Horizontal 24– 2 said NO guests/patients on OSV– 4 said minor injuries on OSV
August 2007August 2007 55
What for?What for?• Movement of personnel and equipment
– Added resources at an incident– Specialized equipment to an incident– Toboggans
• To their ready locations• Up hill during training and evaluating
– Escort of other grooming and snow making equipment
– Opening and closing functions
August 2007August 2007 66
Alternate methodsAlternate methods
• 7 use carriers to up load toboggans on chairs
August 2007August 2007 77
Toboggan CarriersToboggan Carriers
August 2007August 2007 88
Not so good alternate methodsNot so good alternate methods
• Laps
• Chairs
August 2007August 2007 99
TrainingTraining
• 19 have training– Mostly home grown and done internally
• One stated that the maintenance dept did the training
– Only 3 mentioned any record keeping– Concerns with NSAA material on rider
position (kneeling and standing)
August 2007August 2007 1010
OperationOperation
• Operators– 8 indicated they have dedicated operators– 5 said area employees only– Who decided they could be:
• 5 personal choice• 7 area management• 1 patrol director• 2 hill leader or crew chief
August 2007August 2007 1111
OperationsOperations
• Dedicated Routes– 15 indicated they had routes to travel or avoid
• 7 decided by area management• 8 decide by area management and patrol• 1 decide by habit• One hill to go up and one to go down• One reported operation zones vs. routes
August 2007August 2007 1212
OperationsOperations
• Warning equipment– a mix of: lights, flashers, strobes,
beepers/horns, and flags were reported– Flags are the most prevalent– 3 whistles - operator– 9 reported no devices
August 2007August 2007 1313
CommentsComments
• Routes should consider– Visibility– Slope (difficulty)– General terrain
• Question the general risk vs. reward
• NY state requires full employees only
• Could use better training and refreshing
• Use greatly limited when area open
August 2007August 2007 1414
CommentsComments
• Not very reliable
• When moving un-loaded toboggans – Toboggan handles folded back– Trains of toboggans no more than two
toboggans long by two toboggans wide
August 2007August 2007 1515
Best Practices – a startBest Practices – a start
• A collaborative policy– Include all departments operating OSV– Understanding of department needs
• Establish a training and refreshing program– With a record keeping component
• Who can operate
August 2007August 2007 1616
Best Practices – a startBest Practices – a start
• What they should and should not be used for
• When they should and should be operated
• Where they should and should not be operated
• What speed they should be operated at
• Warning devices
• Explore other methods to limit their need
August 2007August 2007 1717
Thank YouThank You
Have a safe and profitable seasonHave a safe and profitable season