EMS Continuing Ed Program

Over the past two years, Eric Snyder, a member of the Bear Creek Mountain Resort, has engaged in the development and implementation of a continuing education program. The program, run through Bear Creek EMS (not affiliated with Bear Creek Ski Patrol), has and continues to provide workshops via live online platform (i.e. Zoom).

The program provides interesting topics through the lens of industry professionals. Some are directly related to “patrolling” and others to outdoor emergency care. Each session is two hours in length and can be used as CEU’s for a myriad of certification requirements (i.e. NREMT).

The initial program had approximately 25 participants and now there are well over 100 (patrollers, EMS providers, and others) participants from across the country. Patrollers from the Far West, Central Division, Rocky Mountain Division, as well as the Eastern Division continue to participate in the program which has no cost.

“The Pediatric Patient, Don’t Be Afraid” was recently conducted by Mark Goldstein of the Copper Mountain Ski Patrol. “Initial Management of the Burn Patient” was presented by Brian Joho from the Blue Mountain Ski Patrol and Lehigh Valley Hospital Burn Unit. Here is a link for an upcoming seminar on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. “Assessment and Management of Shock in a Low Resource Environment,” which will be presented by David Fifer from Eastern Kentucky University.

Other programs included Backcountry Pharmacology as well as Backcountry Medical Emergencies. Programs are conducted by industry professionals from across the country. This educational experience is a great opportunity to learn, grow and become better patrollers for new educational experiences.

For more information about classes, please contact Eric Snyder.

 

EPA Special Olympics Plane Pull Fundraiser

Bear Creek Ski Patrol/Mountain Host (Team BCMR) members participated in the 2025 Lehigh Valley Plane Pull fundraiser for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Among those pulling for Team BCMR Mountain Host/Ski Patrol were Alison Hudak, Holly Krause, Roger Ritchi, and Chet Ochar.

Team BCMR finished in 2nd place for their division pulling 175,000 lbs. of pure plane (FedEx cargo plane at Lehigh Valley International Airport) the designated distance (about 25 ft) in 8.12 seconds.

Teams across the Lehigh Valley participated and raised a total of $57,000 for Special Olympics. Team BCMR was a new member of the event this year. Just goes to show Ski Patrollers and Mountain Hosts are not just pretty faces on the hill, they possess Superhero strength.

 

Women’s Program Update

There is a “new face in town.” At the September Eastern Division Board meeting Chrissy Ludka was appointed the new Women’s Program Supervisor replacing Heather Newman. Special thanks to the hard work from Heather over the past two seasons.

Chrissy brings a world of experience and enthusiasm to the Women’s Program. Chrissy is a patroller at Elk Mountain in EPA. Her experiences include YAP Advisor, OET TE, Women’s Program Instructor, EPA OET RA, OEC Instructor, and a world of related activities.

She has been instrumental in facilitating a collaborative positive working environment in all programs in which she works. Her dedication to teamwork, collegial relationships, and transformational leadership are what drives her to always do what is best for all patrollers involved in the Women’s Program.

Stay tuned for a world of activities across the Women’s Program spectrum for the upcoming 2025/26 ski season.