Welcome to the ESR Senior * Patroller Program

The Senior Patroller Program is the next step beyond Basic Patroller. Achieving Senior * Patroller status is the logical next step for those who want to achieve a higher level of patroller skills that will help make you a more confident and competent patroller on your hill.

The Senior Program consists of core and elective requirements that must be completed within three years 1/ of entering the Senior Program. To become a Senior Patroller, you must demonstrate advanced skills in skiing, toboggan handling, and emergency care. And you must broaden your skills by taking electives in areas such as Avalanche I, mountain rescue, skiing enhancement, toboggan enhancement or becoming an instructor.

Why Become a Senior * Patroller

• • • The Senior Program is a certification at NSP that enables a patroller to level up their training and leadership through core and elective requirements designed for alpine patrollers, Nordic patrollers, and other patrollers, with variations for each discipline.  

    • While first honing in on OEC skills, the Senior candidate patroller will dive into the development of high-level scene and care management by solidifying leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. 

    • In addition to becoming a more confident and competent patroller, your patrol benefits as well.  As a Senior, you’re part of the leadership in the patrol and help to build a solid base for the future.

    • Visit Far West Division for Senior Program Introduction.

Listing of Requirements for Senior Programs 2/:  

Senior Alpine Patroller Candidates:

• • • OEC Module of the Senior Program (OEC-MSP)

    • Alpine toboggan handling

    • Alpine skiing or snowboarding

    • Three electives from Senior elective list (FWD required elective counts as one)

    • A minimum of two electives must be from the NSP course offerings 

Senior Nordic/Backcountry Patroller Candidates:

• • • OEC Module of the Senior Program

    • Toboggan construction and handling

    • Nordic/Backcountry skiing and endurance

    • Mountain Travel and Rescue 2

    • Two additional electives from Senior elective list (FWD required elective counts as one)

    • A minimum of two electives must be from the NSP course offerings 

Senior Patroller Candidates:

• • • OEC Module of the Senior Program

    • Aid Room Module of the Senior Program (AR-MSP)

    • Four additional electives from Senior elective list

    • A minimum of two electives must be from the NSP course offerings 

Senior Bike Patroller Candidates:

• • • OEC Module of the Senior Program

    • Other aspects of this program is under development.

Far West Division Required Elective:

• Avalanche Level I Module 1, 2 and 3 - counts as one elective

CLICK HERE for list of electives and NSP provisions for non-NSP avalanche course credits.

• Far West Division Avalanche Supervisor:  Nancy Stromswold (stromswold@sbcglobal.net) – Interim

• Check FWD site for avalanche course offerings and other events.

NOTES on OEC-MSP (See OEC-MSP Guideline v 1.0 Jan 2024):

• • • OEC-MSP is NOT a super OEC basic.  It focuses on a candidate's ability to demonstrate competency for leadership, decision making, and problem management in scene & team management and patient care.

A Planning Strategy

• • • Completing the Senior * Patroller requirements takes a significant commitment of time and work.  For the most senior * patroller candidates,  a two year journey is recommended as follows, e.g., for alpine patrollers:

    • Year 1

      • Refer to the NSP Policy and Procedure Appendix G for a list of electives that meet Senior requirements for the specific discipline.

      • Complete basic OEC skills sign-off.

      • Practice senior level scenarios.

      • Complete a Senior Ski & Toboggan Clinic for Alpine or other pertinent skills as required by the specific discipline.

      • Volunteer to act as a patient for OEC-MSP training during the year and at the OEC-MSP final evaluation.

    • Year 2

      • Complete the required elective(s) for the specific discipline.

      • Participate in the OEC-MSP training.

      • Request local TE to notify ESR STC when ready to participate on the OEC-MSP final evaluation.

    • Go to: www.farwest.org, www.easternsierraregion.org and www.motherloderegion.org for more calendar information

    • Visit NSP Certification tile on the header page for additional information and process.

Process and Checklist

• • • Discuss and obtain approval from your Patrol Director to participate in the Senior Program. (Click HERE for application)

    • Submit PR approved application to ESR Sr. Program Advisor. (senior@esr-nsp.org)

    • Submit images of current NSP card, OEC Card, and BLS level CPR certificate to ESR Sr. Program Advisor. (senior @esr-nsp.org).

    • Refer to Mastery Guideline to prepare for OEC-MSP with the emphasis on Leadership/Decision Making/Problem Management (LDP).  (Click HERE) For listed scenarios, contact your local OEC-MSP TE, or are available from NSP Center for Learning to the current OEC instructors.

    • Complete OEC-MSP.

      • Prerequisites:

        • Download and complete required activities from The Ski Patroller Manual - Appendix G. (Click HERE)

          • Successful completion on the snow four senior level scenarios - must be approved by OEC-MSP TE; submit approved progress sheet to the regional Senior Training Coordinator, STC.

          • Write solutions for two scenarios focusing on LDP and submit to the regional STC

        • Write a new scenario of difficulty score of 5 or 6 including solution focusing on LDP; review with your local OEC-MSP TE; submit the written scenario to the regional STC.  Click for scenario scoring and scenario format.

        • Register for the regional OEC-MSP final evaluation on NSP Center for Learning when directed.  Search for "OEC Module Senior Evaluation ".  Then, search for the region where you will be participating in the final evaluation.  Typically, STC is the IOR.

          • The OEC-MSP final evaluation session is regionally conducted (e.g., ESR) typically one time per season per region under the presence and observation of the division (FWD) OEC Advisor.  Candidates may test at near-by region, if space is available and allowed by that region.  ESR and Motherload Region usually works together for the OEC-MSP final evaluation.  

      • OEC-MSP final evaluation card referencing evaluation criteria.

    • Complete electives as required by specific discipline.  Submit proof of successful completion to the regional senior program advisor (senior@esr-nsp.org).

    • Complete Senior Skiing, Senior Toboggan Handling, Aid Room Module of Senior Program, Nordic back country skiing/snowboarding endurance, mountain travel and rescue 2, toboggan construction and handling and others as required by the specific disciplines listed herein. (Submit course completion certificate images to senior@esr-nsp.org)

If you need help with the process and/or completing senior patroller requirements, please contact your patrol's  Senior Patroller Trainer or contact ESR Senior Program Advisor.

Inho Myong - Sierra Ski Patrol
ESR Senior Program Advisor
senior@esr-nsp.org 

1/  When a candidate passes the OEC-MSP final evaluation, this need not repeated.  After the senior level toboggan completion, a candidate must complete the senior level skiing evaluation within two years, or after the senior level skiing completion, a candidate must complete the senior level toboggan evaluation within two years.

2/  Requirements listed here are highlights from NSP Policies and Procedures.  Refer to NSP Policies and Procedure for the latest and official list of requirements.

"*"  Alpine, Nordic/Backcountry, Senior Patroller, or Bike.