by Linda Clifford, Asst. Eastern Division OEC Supervisor | Sep 16, 2025 | Spotlight Articles
While I was editing the current Instructor Guide I thought back at my own various exposures to MCI events over the course of my experience beginning in the mid-70s as a young ski patroller at one of the first half dozen major US ski lift accidents. I have worked in both ski patrol and EMS since 1973.
I recall that first incident with feelings of sheer panic. I was 18 years old and assigned to gather and deliver equipment to the scene where a dozen skiers were injured and more trapped. My role was clear and within my capability, a quite necessary role. Nonetheless, I was left with a feeling of inadequacy and achievement. Reflect on that for a moment!
Since then, I have attended training for large scale MCIs—airplane crashes, shootings, bus accidents, hazmat incidents, and more. All these exercises were chaotic events, each a learning experience. Even when the outcome is positive, the event is frenzied.
These are the “Dress Rehearsals.” I have been involved in real-life, smaller-scale MCIs—multiple vehicle accidents, bus accidents, chemical spills, a nursing home fire, and a small explosion. The results continue to be controlled chaos with productive outcomes.
The thought of a major event still leaves me with a feeling of trepidation. The point was and is, even in an exercise, expect the chaos, expect the trepidation. It is going to happen!
by Linda Clifford, Asst. Eastern Division OEC Supervisor | Sep 13, 2025 | Division News, Program News
Many of you have heard of the ‘newly revived’ OEC Senior Aid Room Management Module. This program was initiated in 2018 but was never effectively launched in the Eastern Division. It is hoped that the information here will dispel some of the questions and concerns surrounding the course and promote momentum to establish a quality program in our division.
The Aid Room Management Module of the Senior Program (AR-MSP) was initially designed to offer a path to obtain NSP Senior for those individuals who would not be completing the OET portion of the Senior Program.
The Senior Aid Room Management Module is not a requirement to become an Alpine or Nordic/Backcountry Senior. It is, however, a requirement to become a Senior Patroller along with the OEC Module of the Senior Program (OECMSP) and four additional Senior Electives. Much, if not all, of the AR-MSP can potentially be completed virtually.
The goal of the AR-MSP is to enhance the Senior Patroller Candidate’s skills and knowledge of aid room procedures and related area policies. The training emphasizes further development of skills in leadership, decision making and problem management while enhancing existing OEC aid room skills. It is intended to follow the policies of a candidate’s local patrol and includes written responses, scenario discussions, and hands-on scenarios.
Topics include:
• Aid Room triage and resource management
• Medical interventions and treatment within the aid room environment
• Conflict Resolution
• Interaction with EMS, medical personnel, police, etc.
• Interfacing/communication with patrollers on scene and in the aid room, and area management.
To teach any NSP course, one must have first completed the course. Since the program is relatively new to our division, the first stage will be to train AR-MSP instructors and evaluators. This involves appointing a Senior Training Coordinator or STC for the AR-MSP in each region. This should be an individual, other than the OEC-MSP STC, who is enthusiastic and has strong OEC and leadership qualities and skills.
Once a region has a trained staff qualified to implement the program, it can be offered to local patrollers at large. It is the hope of the Eastern Division that this program can be launched for all in the very near future.
If this program appeals to you, please reach out to your local ROA, Asst. OEC Division Supervisor, or OEC Eastern Division Supervisor.
