SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 30, 2024—National Ski Patrol (NSP) is expanding its membership to include working patrollers who have first responder credentials, such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), wilderness first responders (WFRs), and paramedics. NSP had previously only opened membership to those who intended to take or had already been directly certified by the organization's outdoor emergency care (OEC) course. 

A working patroller is an individual who currently works on a ski area’s patrol but is not an NSP member. First responders can now join as associate patrollers, defined on the NSP website as: “a non OEC credentialed member. It includes any active patrollers with qualifying credentials: EMT, Paramedic, Wilderness First Responder. Paid or volunteer.”

By recognizing the substantial training and experience of these certified first responders, NSP aims to expedite its patrol membership nationwide. 

According to NSP, it developed its OEC program in the 1980s to address the unique medical challenges faced by ski patrollers in harsh environments. The training has been continually updated over the years. For the first time in NSP’s contemporary history, the organization said, patrols meeting other specific certification standards are eligible for immediate membership. OEC remains NSP’s flagship certification.

“We recognize the areas our members serve have widely varying needs and hiring practices,” said National Ski Patrol CEO Stephanie Cox. “This new membership class offers NSP membership to more working patrollers across the country. They will have qualified access to member benefits, educational resources, and support.

“This expansion reflects NSP’s commitment to inclusion and to new considerations in our ever-changing industry, while also advancing safety in the mountains,” Cox continued. 

“Expanding our membership also recognizes that members with other first responder credentials can learn from our extensive educational programs. As an organization, we can also learn from their experiences and training as we continually work to keep our programs highly relevant and impactful.”

NSP has more than 30,000 members across 630 patrols in the U.S., and has affiliated organizations in Canada, Europe, and Asia.