This past spring Windham Mountain hosted a group of first responders from the surrounding emergency response agencies for an Active Attack Integrated Response training (AAIR). The course was put on by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office instructors and is considered the national standard by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for active shooter response training. The AAIR training was developed through the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University.
AAIR training is centered around the interagency response to an active shooter event. The main goals are to build awareness and partnerships across agencies and disciplines. If a major event occurs, all the responsible agencies could respond as a cohesive unit with an understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities.
Beyond the unfortunate fact that these sorts of events are something that needs to be prepared for, hosting an AAIR training holds benefits beyond response to active shooters by bringing together all the agencies that would be involved in any mass casualty event. In the case of Windham Mountain, in addition to the ski patrol and security, we had representatives from the county dispatch center, three police departments, two ambulance companies, and two fire departments who all service the area.
This training was initiated through conversations with our local Sheriff’s Training Sergeant while working together to set up active shooter training for the mountain staff. From those conversations, we identified an opportunity for multiple agencies that typically only interact while on an emergency call to come together proactively, strengthen their ties, and gain operational understanding across disciplines. Hosting this training at the resort created added benefits as all who participated gained additional awareness of Windham Mountain’s facilities, layouts, and capabilities and established professional partnerships before an incident occurred.
I would encourage any organization interested in similar training to reach out to their local, regional, or state law enforcement agencies and inquire about AAIR or similar interagency training to host at their location.
Zeke Pease
Patrol Supervisor at Hunter Mountain
Former Safety Manager & Pro Patroller at Windham Mountain
The Eastern Division Safety Team would like to bring your attention to a new safety initiative called Take-A-Break & RECHARGE. It was created by Safety Team members Jesse Remmey (NVT) and Eric Talbot (CT).
Take-A-Break addresses the importance of recognizing fatigue and its relationship to preventing accidents. The committee kicked off this initiative after reading an article citing a 5-year study in New Zealand by ACC Statistics, an evidence-based research company emphasizing prevention. It revealed that most injuries occur in late morning and mid-afternoon citing tiredness and congestion on the trails as the main cause.
We want the public to Take-A-Break. To rest and rehydrate, especially late morning and mid-afternoon, when many accidents occur. Go in and warm up when temperatures drop. Learn not to push your body to take that last run if you are tired. Take breaks to avoid fatigue, rest your body, and regain energy. It sounds like a simple act, but using this practice routinely could have a big impact on injury avoidance.
Recognizing your whole body’s energy level is key to this initiative. Educate others about how fatigue is related to increased injury. Are we getting tired, hungry, or cold? Are we making mistakes as we ski or ride? Parents should pay close attention to how well their child is performing or listening on the mountain. If your little one is beginning to fall, get cold, express hunger, voice opposition, or is unusually quiet, it is likely time to give them a break.
People who ski in groups should learn to recognize how they feel and take the break they need and deserve rather than stay out to keep up with a group that may have more tolerance or less self-awareness.
As patrollers, it’s important to know our energy level especially when pulling a double shift. Don’t take risks with fatigue. Take-A-Break when you are tired and encourage your fellow patrollers and customers to do the same if you notice they are tired or stressed.
When you respond to an incident that does not require transport or a higher level of care, such as when an individual simply needs help getting up from a fall or assistance getting down a challenging trail, encourage them to take a break and go inside. Even better, ask if your area will offer patrollers coupons to share for a free hot chocolate to encourage such behavior.
Take-A-Break is great advice on the mountain and in life!
Brant Maley and DiamondBack Covers Team Up to Honor First Responders
The team at DiamondBack Covers proudly expresses their deep gratitude to first responders. Their dedication and courage inspire us all, and we’re honored to recognize the heroes who keep our communities safe.
They produced a video featuring Certified Patroller Brant Maley from Roundtop Mountain Resort. He has worn many hats over the years and is currently a 24-year veteran serving as a police officer in Penbrook Borough, PA.
Brant joined NSP in 1989 and was awarded Certified #523 in 1998. He is an OEC, OET, Lift Evacuation, Low-angle Rescue, and Outdoor Risk Management instructor and is a Lifetime member of NSP. He was awarded National Appointment #10142 in 2005 and has a Meritorious Service Award and five Yellow Merit Stars.
Follow Brant through this journey. Check out this great video!
Roberta Fox’s heroic actions were celebrated with a Purple Merit Star presentation at the Royal Mountain refresher on October 24, 2024. She has retired from active patrolling but remains an OEC Instructor and Instructor Trainer. Her 50+ years of patrolling spanned five patrols in three regions. I am pleased and proud to be able to share her summary of the event with everyone.
“On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, I attended an event at The Highlands Community Center in Johnson City, NY, that ended at 6:30 p.m. We were waiting for our weekly walking group activity. At about 6:45 p.m. a resident came back and yelled at me to get the bag. I asked, “What bag–the AED?” She replied “Yes” and I grabbed the bag and headed to the parking lot. I asked if 911 had been called 911 and she replied, “Yes.”
“I went to the parking lot and found Raymond Bayer mostly in the passenger seat of his Subaru, slightly leaning toward the driver’s seat, where his wife was seated. He was not responding to her and had shallow breathing, a weak pulse, and ashen color. I opened the AED and got the pads asking someone to hold the AED. Ray is a large man; there was no way to get him out of the car and onto the pavement. I was concerned that I would not be able to do CPR and hoped the AED would properly function with positive results. At 76 I was the youngest there and the only one with CPR/AED training.
“Exposing his chest, I applied the pads and had my helper press the AED button. The analysis said that no shock was warranted. I did a sternum rub, with no response. I continued to monitor his breathing and pulse, which varied from strong to weak to unable to detect and back. The pulse varied from very fast to slow. I made certain that the pads had good contact.
“Another resident was on the phone with 911 relaying information and answering questions for the dispatcher who remained on the phone until the ambulance arrived.
“A second AED analysis advised shock and to stand clear. Shock was given with virtually no response. I did another sternum rub and continued to monitor his breathing and pulse. Again, no improvements. At times I was unable to detect a pulse or breathing. I checked to make certain the pads still had good contact. I was very concerned that I could not do CPR if necessary.
“The police department arrived and saw that I had applied the AED pads and did not interfere.
“The third AED analysis advised shock; stand clear. Shock was given and he immediately opened his eyes, raised his hands, and moved his head. He looked around and spoke. His pulse was strong.
“The fire department arrived with at least two people—one came to the vehicle with his bag, and I told him what I had done. He was surprised that the AED had shocked Ray twice but seemed very pleased that Ray was alert. I told him that I let the AED “do its thing.” He talked to Ray, who correctly answered all his questions, including his name. He repeatedly asked Ray if he had any heart, stroke, or diabetic history. Ray said no and his wife confirmed it. During the transfer of care, the town’s medical car arrived followed by the ambulance. After further checking and talking with Ray, including checking a pulse oximeter, they brought the gurney to the car. They helped Ray stand and had him sit on the gurney. I could see that his facial color was back to normal.
“I was asked how many times Ray was shocked. I repeated three analyses and two shocks. I was asked how much time was between the shocks—30 seconds or two minutes. I said the AED did the timing, so it was two minutes. Several of the responders said I had saved his life; I said it was the AED that did. The ambulance took the AED to the hospital so that they could try to download information. It was returned on Thursday.
“Before the ambulance left, I learned that Ray had the car and apartment keys in his pocket and his wife needed them. I asked one of the ambulance crew if he could get Ray’s keys. He opened the rear door and asked the person beside Ray to get his keys. Ray told the attendant they were in his right pocket.
“On Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday, I had conversations with Ray’s daughter and his wife and was told that many of the doctors and nurses at the hospital said that without the AED, Ray would not be alive. Thursday morning his daughter told me that Ray did not have any incidents during the night, and they were continuing to do tests including echocardiograms and catheterization.
“During my Friday morning conversation with his wife, I asked her why she was in the driver’s seat since Ray always drives. She said that during the activity, he began to have a strange feeling in his left arm and some mild chest discomfort, but didn’t think anything of it. He checked his watch which monitors things and told her nothing was unusual. In the parking lot, he got in the driver’s seat. He told her he didn’t feel good and wanted to go to his doctor’s office. They switched seats. She said he was having trouble getting in. He slumped over and she yelled to a resident to call 911. That person came into the building telling me that I was needed.
“His wife said that the echocardiograms showed no muscle damage and that they were waiting for the catheterization. The medical team was leaning toward some kind of electrical incident.
“Friday evening, Ray’s wife told me that the catheterization showed his arteries were clear. He is in good spirits and eating well. Ray is 89 years young! His wife told me that he has apnea and has been told not to sleep for more than 15 minutes without his CPAP machine.”
“A defibrillator was implanted on Wednesday, July 24. Ray returned home on Thursday, July 25. Ray called on Tuesday, July 30, to thank me for everything.
“On Wednesday, July 31, Jim Morris with the Town of Union Ambulance, called for additional information about the incident. He said that he ran a printout from the AED that showed that two shocks were given. He said that the hospital staff and cardiologists could not believe that Ray had been shocked. He told them that he had the tape to prove it. The ambulance service had four other CPR calls that day but mine was the only one successful.”
Richard (Dick) Massucco, a patroller at Stratton Mountain, VT was honored for his 67th year of service to NSP. Division Director Grant Fullman personally presented Dick with his Service Award at Stratton’s refresher held on November 2. At the presentation, Grant commented that he was only three years old when Dick started patrolling!
Dick started on the ski patrol at Otis Ridge in Massachusetts in 1957 and passed his Senior test at Mt. Tom, Holyoke, MA. He skied on the Otis Ridge Patrol in Otis, MA through 1970. Then it was off to Pittsburgh, PA for work and a stint on the Seven Springs Patrol in Champion, PA. In 1972 Dick joined the Stratton Mountain Patrol after meeting a woman who just happened to have a Stratton season pass!
Dick achieved Circle A certification (now AVY I) in 1970, and his Avalanche “rocker” (now AVY II) in 1971 at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. He also completed a Mountaineering course (now MTR I) at Stratton in the early 2000s.
Dick remains active on the patrol, assisting with patient transports and toboggan bag logistics. He is very serious about how toboggan bags are packed and ensures new patrollers “do it right or do it over!”
Congratulations to Dick Massucco for his devotion to the NSP mission.
Mike LaPoint, Jodi Butterfield, Rich Pietrafesa, Scott Launt
On October 16 in Utica and October 18 in Syracuse, the Central New York Region welcomed winter with Warren Miller’s ’75’ – the 75th-anniversary film. On hand were Mike LaPoint, Jodi Butterfield, Rich Pietrafesa, our National Chair, and me, Scott Launt.
Our goal was to recruit interested riders in patrolling, hand out NSP SWAG to our kindred spirits, promote goodwill, and have a good time. Mission Accomplished!
Rich was asked to say a few words during intermission at both venues. He shared the stage with John Avery, Road Manager, Warren Miller Entertainment recognizing all the patrollers in the audience, encouraging people to join our ranks, and giving an impassioned yet brief discussion of the benefits of becoming a patroller.
As patrollers, we train physically and mentally to be ready to go when the snow finally flies. How many of us train to be ready emotionally for the possible stress injuries resulting from the bad scenes we may encounter?
During my 30-year career as a ski patroller, I always had a pre-season skiing-specific training program to prepare physically for the demands of patrolling. Annual OEC refreshers provided an opportunity to mentally revive the knowledge and skills necessary to care for injured skiers.
It wasn’t until late in my career that I began to pay attention to training for the emotional resilience needed to effectively confront potentially traumatizing events. Now I make it a point to regularly engage in what the All Clear Foundation calls “resilience workouts” as a way to be ready for life’s daily challenges and those high-stress rescues encountered on the hill.
My workout includes three evidence-based, effective “exercises” or activities—breathwork, time in nature, and mindfulness. These activities stimulate the vagus nerve, a critical part of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for regulating heart rate, mood, and inflammation response. The vagus nerve calms the survival response and is the key to unlocking the relaxation response.
BREATHWORK One of the best ways to activate the vagus nerve is slow, deep breathing. Attention to breathing shifts your focus away from stressful mind chatter and toward the rhythm of the breath itself.
Try BOX BREATHING, known as the “Navy Seal” breathing technique. It can be used to relax during a busy day or as an in-the-moment coping tactic to control the stress response. To go in-depth on the topic, read Breath by James Nestor.
I recommend a daily five-minute session of 4-2-6 paced breathing. Inhale through the nose to the belly for four seconds, hold for two seconds, and then exhale through the mouth for six seconds. Remember, whatever technique you choose it needs to be practiced regularly for you to be able to deploy it when it’s needed.
TIME IN NATURE Did you know that when walking in the forest you breathe in phytoncides—oils released by the trees? These oils can lower levels of the primary stress hormone, cortisol. That’s why you feel calm and less anxious when walking in a forest.
Almost any serene and visually pleasing environment can enhance mood and trigger positive emotions and a sense of tranquility. I’ve been thinking about taking up fly fishing.
MINDFULNESS As responders, we tend to move through our days picking up rocks and putting them in our pack. Mindfulness practices are a way to put down the things we don’t need to be carrying. That’s why I integrated mindfulness practice into my daily routine.
A recent study found that 10-minute daily mindfulness sessions using the Medito: Meditation & Wellness app improved mental health and encouraged healthier lifestyle behaviors, with lasting effects on well-being and habits like exercise and sleep:
• Reducing depression by 19.2% more than the control group.
• Improving well-being by 6.9% more.
• Decreasing anxiety by 12.6% more.
Another study found that mindfulness practices can decrease body mass index, waist circumference, weight, and percent of body fat.
Mindfulness is just being present—focused on the present moment rather than ruminating over the past, fearing the future, or chasing your monkey mind. It comes in many forms. Any activity that completely absorbs your focus—like skiing, climbing, or coincidentally, fly-tying can be mindful. There are any number of other exercises you can add to your resilience workout. Just do a quick search for “build emotional resilience.”
The key is to find activities you enjoy. That way you’re much more likely to do them and to work them into your daily routine. For more information about operational stress injury and resilience practices, contact Ollie Neith.
In late September, the Thunder Mountain Bike Patrol hosted the first annual Eastern Division Bike Program Weekend. It was an exciting two days of downhill riding, getting to know other bike patrollers, and learning, including taking the NSP Bike 1 training class.
The weekend opened on Saturday morning with optional non-NSP activities. Thunder Mountain offered participants some great discounts. We, of course, took full advantage of these opportunities by spending the day on the mountain. There was even an NSP-specific lesson where I learned how to ride a sweet jump line (pretty good for a 60-yr old, long-time XC rider!). We met up with other NSP members, assisted the patrol with sweep, and then ended the day with an Eastern Division bike program meeting with the regional advisors who were able to attend.
As you might expect after a great day of riding, the meeting quickly progressed into social time at Thunder Mountain’s Crazy Horse Bar & Grill. Participants and non-participants alike arrived and joined in on the conversation. Some attendees camped out that night and two of us glamped at Patrol Hilltop. More participants arrived on Sunday morning in time for that day’s NSP education programming.
Sunday started with a morning session covering the five modules of the Bike 1 Skills Session. I taught Module 1 which demonstrates the ABCDE-Quick Check and helmet fitting. Kevin Brody of Thunder Mountain taught Module 2 which is about knowing your bike, tools for trailside repair, liability issues, and discussing how e-bikes fit into the bike community. Marc Burdick, the Thunder Mountain PD, taught Module 3 which includes lifting, carrying, and transporting bike patients. Dave Voelxen of GROC Mountain Bike Patrol taught Module 4 giving us an intro to the various different types of patrols and land managers as well as providing a refresher about conducting a scene size up.
Finally, Jason Tamulen of Thunder Mountain led a session about Module 5 where we discussed adaptive cyclists and working with those with diverse abilities. Kevin, a former pro rider and bike mechanic, incorporated a bike maintenance clinic into his session and Marc added a clinic about how to use a one-wheeled litter into Module 3. This clinic was absolutely necessary before we took our afternoon session.
After lunch we rode again! Then, thanks to the incredible support of the entire Thunder Mountain Bike Patrol, we ran two complete scenarios from start to finish which were timed by patrol dispatch. Special thanks go to Jason, Marc, and Kevin who created our afternoon session complete with moulage. Our clock started ticking when Hilltop received a phone call from an injured person on a trail. Dispatch radioed to the bike patrol, and we sent two people to ride to and then size up the scene. The two leads completed their initial assessment and then made their radio call for support. Dispatch released the rest of us and we rode the trail to the scene. They also dispatched two of the patrol’s UTVs (utility terrain vehicle) which could only get close to the scene when using the nearest access road.
The team immediately split, some working on patient care and stabilization while others working to get the necessary equipment from the UTV. We then transported the stabilized patent to the UTV using some tools we learned about that morning, including the one-wheeled litter and vacuum mattress. Both of these were new to everyone outside of TMBP. Finally, we loaded the patient on the UTV. One team member rode in the back to keep the patient stabilized. The rest of us took care of the scene, sent the bikes and helmets down with the other UTV, and rode down to meet the UTV at base first aid. We removed the patient and brought them into the medical center, which is when the dispatcher stopped the clock. The times showed that the team clearly improved when using the one-wheeled litter after the second scenario, which was a much more difficult one.
Overall, it was an exciting weekend filled with excellent learning opportunities mixed with making new friends and spending lots of time on the bike. There will definitely be a second annual Eastern Division Bike Program Weekend next summer, so watch the Eastern Division website and Trail Sweep for information about it.
It’s Thursday morning a little after 9 AM with eight patrollers at Patrol Headquarters on top of the mountain. Opening work is done, and the lifts have been cleared by patrol for the public. The patrollers at PHQ are getting coffee, a morning snack, and making small talk. I, a senior member of the patrol say “I heard you guys had a tough one the other day.”
A couple of days earlier, the patrol received a call for a skier off the side of a trail. On arrival, the size up resulted in a request for additional patrollers, a loaded toboggan, and ropes and rescue equipment, all which arrived within several minutes.
The skier had gone off trail, down the side, and struck and gone over a snowmaking pipe. He was conscious and alert but injured and could not self-extricate. The toboggan was belayed and lifted over the pipe. The skier was packaged and a route of travel was chosen that would rejoin the trail further downslope.
Once the extrication was complete, the skier was transported to First Aid Base followed by fire department ambulance transport to an area hospital. There were six patrollers involved including the patroller sitting in dispatch which operates from PHQ.
After mentioning the incident and waiting for the initial silent period, a characteristic following a serious incident, I commented “Heard the skier was in a tough spot, but you guys put together a good plan and although you had to belay the sled to him then lug it out a different way, things went slick.” Finding some positivity in a situation is key to enabling an active discussion.
From this point forward, each patroller who participated in the incident spoke of what was done and how well they worked together. I was able to guide the discussion by asking questions such as “Is there anything else you needed? Is there something you would have done differently? Or did it weigh on you after it was over?”
In the course of the patrollers sharing their stories, I was able to recognize a job well done as I assessed any need for follow-up conversations. There was no follow-up necessary, but the call was talked about throughout the day and, in fact, even lent itself to be a learning experience; difficult calls can occur on not so difficult terrain. This was a novice trail.
This story is indicative of the good use of a peer-to-peer support system, something we, the division’s PSAT, strive to achieve as we promote patroller wellness. While there are other important and often necessary ways to address critical incidents including debriefing by CISM providers, peer-to-peer support, which is not counseling or debriefing, is a helpful step patrols can offer through sensitive listening, positive feedback, and meaningful social support, all significant factors in helping to reduce stress injury.
The division’s PSAT believes in the strength of peer-to-peer support and supports developing this program division-wide so we will truly become “patrollers helping patrollers.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Stress Awareness Program, please contact Melinda Mingus, MD, Eastern Division Safety Team and Patroller Stress Awareness Advisor by email at patrollerstress@easterndivisionnsp.org or phone 646-522-1451.
The team at 
Roberta Fox’s heroic actions were celebrated with a Purple Merit Star presentation at the Royal Mountain refresher on October 24, 2024. She has retired from active patrolling but remains an OEC Instructor and Instructor Trainer. Her 50+ years of patrolling spanned five patrols in three regions. I am pleased and proud to be able to share her summary of the event with everyone.
“During my Friday morning conversation with his wife, I asked her why she was in the driver’s seat since Ray always drives. She said that during the activity, he began to have a strange feeling in his left arm and some mild chest discomfort, but didn’t think anything of it. He checked his watch which monitors things and told her nothing was unusual. In the parking lot, he got in the driver’s seat. He told her he didn’t feel good and wanted to go to his doctor’s office. They switched seats. She said he was having trouble getting in. He slumped over and she yelled to a resident to call 911. That person came into the building telling me that I was needed.
Richard (Dick) Massucco, a patroller at Stratton Mountain, VT was honored for his 67th year of service to NSP. Division Director Grant Fullman personally presented Dick with his Service Award at Stratton’s refresher held on November 2. At the presentation, Grant commented that he was only three years old when Dick started patrolling!
Rich was asked to say a few words during intermission at both venues. He shared the stage with John Avery, Road Manager, Warren Miller Entertainment recognizing all the patrollers in the audience, encouraging people to join our ranks, and giving an impassioned yet brief discussion of the benefits of becoming a patroller.
One of the best ways to activate the vagus nerve is slow, deep breathing. Attention to breathing shifts your focus away from stressful mind chatter and toward the rhythm of the breath itself.
Did you know that when walking in the forest you breathe in phytoncides—oils released by the trees? These oils can lower levels of the primary stress hormone, cortisol. That’s why you feel calm and less anxious when walking in a forest.
As responders, we tend to move through our days picking up rocks and putting them in our pack. Mindfulness practices are a way to put down the things we don’t need to be carrying. That’s why I integrated mindfulness practice into my daily routine.
In late September, the Thunder Mountain Bike Patrol hosted the first annual Eastern Division Bike Program Weekend. It was an exciting two days of downhill riding, getting to know other bike patrollers, and learning, including taking the NSP Bike 1 training class.
Finally, Jason Tamulen of Thunder Mountain led a session about Module 5 where we discussed adaptive cyclists and working with those with diverse abilities. Kevin, a former pro rider and bike mechanic, incorporated a bike maintenance clinic into his session and Marc added a clinic about how to use a one-wheeled litter into Module 3. This clinic was absolutely necessary before we took our afternoon session.
The team immediately split, some working on patient care and stabilization while others working to get the necessary equipment from the UTV. We then transported the stabilized patent to the UTV using some tools we learned about that morning, including the one-wheeled litter and vacuum mattress. Both of these were new to everyone outside of TMBP. Finally, we loaded the patient on the UTV. One team member rode in the back to keep the patient stabilized. The rest of us took care of the scene, sent the bikes and helmets down with the other UTV, and rode down to meet the UTV at base first aid. We removed the patient and brought them into the medical center, which is when the dispatcher stopped the clock. The times showed that the team clearly improved when using the one-wheeled litter after the second scenario, which was a much more difficult one.
It’s Thursday morning a little after 9 AM with eight patrollers at Patrol Headquarters on top of the mountain. Opening work is done, and the lifts have been cleared by patrol for the public. The patrollers at PHQ are getting coffee, a morning snack, and making small talk. I, a senior member of the patrol say “I heard you guys had a tough one the other day.”
This story is indicative of the good use of a peer-to-peer support system, something we, the division’s PSAT, strive to achieve as we promote patroller wellness. While there are other important and often necessary ways to address critical incidents including debriefing by CISM providers, peer-to-peer support, which is not counseling or debriefing, is a helpful step patrols can offer through sensitive listening, positive feedback, and meaningful social support, all significant factors in helping to reduce stress injury.
