• Bear Creek EMS Program, Virtual, 6/23, Contact Eric Snyder
• Bike Patroller School, Ontario County Park, NY, 6/27-28, Contact: John Wolf
• Certified Boot Camp, Magic Mountain, VT 8/7-9, Contact: Jenn Laitala
• AMN, Campgaw Ski Center, NJ, 9/11-13, Contact: Chuck Boyd
• Bike Patroller School, Holimont, NY, 9/12-13, Contact: John Wolf
• Enhanced Patroller School, Swain, NY, 9/18-20, Contact Tom Wallin
The Bear Creek EMS Program is hosting the following virtual class.
Assessment of Chest Pain – June 23, 2026 – Virtual
Presented by:
Dr. Steven Goldblatt, MD, FACC
Cardiologist (Retired), Medical Officer, Team CT-1, Disaster Medical Assistance Team,
and Medical Advisor for National Ski Patrol’s Eastern Division.
Eric Snyder
EPA Inter-Agency Liaison (EMS)
(610) 487- 4479
epaemsadvisor@gmail.com
nspepa.org
Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division can once again don the division’s historic ski trooper insignia on their Army Green Service Uniform garrison caps, restoring a visual link to the unit’s World War II roots and reinforcing the alpine spirit that resonates across the formation.
Although never officially recognized, the insignia was adopted by 10th Mountain Division soldiers in 1943. The symbol represented a soldier’s ability to fight in harsh winter conditions and rugged mountain terrain. Today, leaders say bringing the emblem back to everyday uniform wear honors that legacy while reminding Soldiers of the division’s high standards.
Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, said the decision carries real meaning for the force. “The crossed skis are more than a symbol from our past,” Naumann said. “They represent the toughness, adaptability and spirit that define this division. Seeing them on our Soldiers’ caps connects who we are today with the mountaineers who built our reputation.”
The division’s origins trace back to Camp Hale, Colorado, where soldiers trained on steep slopes, icy ridgelines, and snow covered trails before deploying to Italy. Their assault on Riva Ridge and the breakthrough of the German Gothic Line became defining moments in U.S. military history. Although today’s 10th Mountain Division no longer fights on skis, its mission as a rapidly deployable light infantry force still demands the same warrior spirit, readiness, and grit.
Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson, the division’s senior enlisted leader, said the return of the insignia helps reinforce that identity. “When a Soldier puts on that cap and sees the crossed skis, it’s a reminder of the legacy they’re a part of,” Johnson said. “It tells them, ‘You belong to a division known for going where others dare not go, and you’re expected to carry that forward.’”
Leaders say the change not only strengthens esprit de corps but ensures that the division’s heritage remains visible in modern formations. For those across the formation, the crossed skis serve as a proud reminder of the unit’s identity and the generations who shaped it.
Complete article available at Military.com.
Every ski season, Mount Washington sees an average of 25 life-threatening sliding falls. The Proving Ground is a short film from Warden Co., produced in partnership with the Mt. Washington Avalanche Center Foundation, exploring the dangers of recreating on the mountain that go beyond avalanche risk alone – told through the stories of those who have survived, and those who tragically have not.
The film features Caite Zeliff, Michelle Saltsburg, Jon Miller, Jeff Fongemie, Patrick Scanlan, Charlotte MacDonald, Kate Moynihan, Sara Boilen, and Mike Carmon.
If you have not seen this film yet, it is about Tuckerman Ravine, born out of a death that occurred there two years ago, it is 14 minutes long: The Proving Ground
Chuck Boyd & Rick Shandler Nordic Masters #5 and #7 Ski Touring in Switzerland
I am not sure if I will ever recover from the passing of Rick Shandler. He was a mountain of a man, loving father, and an amazing friend. As we start the planning stages of the AMN ’26 (September 11-13, 2026) we have some big shoes to fill. Rick was the driving force. He ran the calls, negotiated all the swag, assigned us all to tasks, and paid attention to every detail.
The one thing that we will do at this year’s AMN is honor him with a station called XOEC. XOEC is first aid given in an austere environment with only what is in your pack, and if you are on a day hike, or a mountain bike ride, this might not be much. Rick developed this program years ago and traveled around the division teaching some of these techniques to Nordic patrols. Nutmeg Nordic was fortunate to be able to participate in one of these courses.
I was also part of a team that helped write a chapter called XOEC that might get published in the upcoming 7th edition of the NSP OEC manual.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the AMN ’26 when we can sit around reminiscing and telling tales about Rick.
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.
Now about to conclude its second season, the advanced life support (ALS) pain management program at Stratton Mountain in the Southern Vermont Region has already helped numerous patients with moderate to severe pain while still on the mountain with injuries.
The program, known internally as “Code 90,” was started during the 2024-25 ski season at Stratton Mountain Ski Patrol (SMSP). We saw a need to help our patients with painful injuries while still on the mountain utilizing advanced life-support-level care and pain medications. This was made feasible as SMSP also operates Stratton Mountain Rescue (SMR), a Vermont-licensed ALS ambulance service which serves the Stratton Mountain community and surrounding areas during operating hours throughout the year. Essentially, SMSP/SMR extends the scope of practice and capabilities of the ambulance service onto the mountain to be able to provide ALS-level pain management to injured guests.
The Code 90 Team consists of four paramedic ski patrollers as well as one licensed physician anesthesiologist who is also a ski patroller. The paramedic ski patrollers operate under standing orders of the Vermont Statewide EMS Protocols and work in coordination with the Carlos Otis Stratton Mountain Clinic; an urgent care center located in the base village staffed by emergency medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons during the ski season. Patients are transported off the mountain by sled and then transferred to the Otis Clinic for further care.
If patients require transfer to higher level facilities, this is accomplished by Stratton Mountain Rescue Ambulance (staffed by ski patrollers). When necessary and weather permitting, our dispatch will request a medivac helicopter for critical care interventions and rapid transport to a Level 1 Trauma Center. Stratton Mountain has a designated Landing Zone that is easily accessible nearby to the clinic throughout the year and secured through Stratton Security or local fire/rescue personnel.
For all reported incidents on the mountain, ski patrol dispatch (located at Patrol Headquarters at the Summit) will initially send one ski patroller to respond directly to the scene. The first responding patroller will assess the patient and request additional resources, patrollers, and equipment as the situation requires. This also may include requesting a “Code 90” for patients with moderate to severe pain if they may need pain management. Ski patrol dispatch will then locate and send a member of the Code 90 Team, if available, to the scene.
The Code 90 Team member will assess the patient further and, if appropriate, administer Fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, to reduce the patient’s pain during splinting, extrication, and sled transport to the clinic. This can be accomplished via multiple routes including intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal routes. If the intravenous route is preferred, an IV is established on scene on the mountain.
To ensure readiness, ALS patrollers sign out a narcotic kit from a designated safe each morning and, if not used, return the kits after sweep. Restocking of medications is accomplished at the Otis Clinic. Data are tracked for each patient. SMSP is observing significant improvement in patients’ reported pain averaging a five 5-point reduction in pain scores (utilizing the numeric “1-10” pain scale). Every call is reviewed by the team with participation of the Otis Clinic Medical Director, Ricky Kue, MD. Call data are also entered into the Vermont EMS Data System (“SIREN”).
ALS kits also contain naloxone (NARCAN®) as well as ondansetron (Zofran®, an anti-nausea medication) to manage any side effects. As a precaution, an oxygen pack containing additional equipment including airway management, suction, and epinephrine kit and bag-valve mask is also sent to all Code 90 calls. The Code 90 Program is also available at times during the summer season at the Stratton Mountain Bike Park depending on staffing. Currently, this SMSP makes an effort to have Code 90 Team Members on the mountain and available as many days as possible, but is not guaranteed due to staffing. The program is considered “Best Effort” in terms of availability.
Next season, through a generous equipment donation, SMSP is working toward approval to add the capability to also administer nitrous oxide to patients on the mountain as a part of the program. This option will also be available to not only the paramedics and physicians but also Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) on ski patrol, increasing the availability of the program.
Our goal is to be able to treat as many appropriate patients as possible. While quite common in the west, as was found at my previous ski patrol at Vail, this type of program is somewhat unique in the east and SMSP is happy to offer this service to our guests when needed to make their unfortunate situation a little better.
Marc Burdick has been ski patrolling for 40 years and is currently a paramedic ski patroller at Stratton Mountain Resort. He is a critical care paramedic with Northern Berkshire EMS in North Adams, Massachusetts where he manages special projects.
So, you know an OEC incident (can be anywhere, at a ski area or not) where a patient with a critical injury was handled by one or more individuals in an outstanding manner. They saved the life of the patient or kept them from having a negative quality of life outcome. You want to give the team an award, but you aren’t sure what award to give. Here is how to determine which.
The word individual used here refers to patrollers, hosts, or alumni. Individuals must be up to date on their OEC/OFC and dues. Only one merit star per individual per incident may be awarded. Check chapter 12 in the NSP Policies and Procedures for further guidance.
Who gets a Division Certificate of Appreciation?
Rich Pietrafesa, Board Member
No matter how you look at it, the 2026 Eastern Patroller and Alumni Event was an outstanding success. There were over 100 people signed up to participate, more than double last year’s event. The evening events with NSP Board members Rich Pietrafesa and Butch MacQueen, the NSP Safety Team, and the history of the 10th Mountain Division were well attended and very informative.
Butch MacQueen, Board Member & John Crandall, former SVT Alumni Advisor
Stratton Mountain did a great job welcoming us. The daily events included touring the snowmaking operations, the Carlos Otis Clinic and First Aid Center, and the Patrol Summit HQ. These provided us insight into some unique attributes of the daily routine of different departments at Stratton. Matt Jones, CEO of Stratton, even came and talked about the resort, the ski industry, and answered questions from us all.
Melanie Musczynski, EDIV Safety Team & Oliver Loewen, Stratton Patrol
Special thanks to Stratton Patrollers Larry Kneip, Steve Sabastian, Ned O’Rourke, Bill Vosmer, and Oliver Loewen for spending the better part of the week guiding us on the mountain and providing great conversations. Having our own guides really made for great days on the snow.
There were patrollers and Alums from all 15 Regions of the Eastern Division and from the PRO ranks as well. Folks from Maine to West Virginia, Buffalo to New Jersey were present. Good times, good food, and great fellowship were had by all. Oh, and some pretty fine skiing too. Hope to see you all next year!
Written by The Alumni Advisors of the Eastern Division
