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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
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Over the Snow Vehicles 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 • 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
What for? • Patient movement pulling 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
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
Alternate methods • 7 use carriers to up load toboggans on chairs
Not so good alternate methods • Laps • Chairs
Training • 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)
Operation • 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
Operations • 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
Operations • 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
Comments • 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
Comments • 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
Best 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
Best 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
Thank You Have a safe and profitable season