Appendix D: Patroller Roles
Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol Manual
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formerly appendix U |
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Patroller Duties
Do your best to patrol safely, effectively, and on the days you have signed up for. Any Time • Find a substitute patroller if you will be absent from an official patrol day and notify Operations Officer. You must find a substitute with the same patroller status as you. Do this as soon as possible, not at the last minute! The Operations Officer needs to know at least two weeks before the patrol date to be able to send the mountain manager a correct patrol list. Please don't expect the MM or Operations Officer to find a replacement for you. • Schedule a patrol day to make up for any official sign-up day you missed. Exceptions will be entirely at the discretion of Operations Officer, but might include lack of snow (early in the season), or extended highway closure due to extreme weather. Exceptions will NOT include personal reasons or a few snowflakes. Always assume no exception until proven otherwise by contacting Operations Officer. Attendance will be monitored and you will be notified if you don't fulfill your required number of patrol days. Prior to Patrol Weekend • Contact MM with any questions if necessary (such as "Who is my PL?") • Prepare personal patrol gear as per manual (such as replacing old batteries, making sure you have the right maps, restocking first aid supplies, etc.). Carry a charged cell phone if you have one. • Arrange transportation and car-pools for the weekend, and where to meet if other than the Shed. Keep in mind that patrol assignments may change at the last minute for a variety of reasons. Patrol Day • Verify road conditions for safety. • Bring all your mandatory gear, as well as TBSP phone list and charged cell phone if you have one. • Arrive at the equipment shed (or other meeting spot designated by MM) by 8:30 am (call shed if you’re going to be late. If you are scheduled for Boreal, call the First Aid room). Wait, if necessary, for the MM and PLs to arrive. Proceed with assigned patrol to patrolling location. • Inform PL of anything that may compromise your effectiveness while patrolling, such as physical limitations. • Receive assigned equipment from PL, and carry in your pack. Participate in avalanche transceiver check. • Patrol with patrol as directed by PL. Do not leave patrol except as permitted by PL, and never go solo or without a radio. Causing a bastard search for a missing patroller is unacceptable. • Be prepared to participate in any training scenarios or actual incidents as requested by the PL. • Help with any surveys and make contact with the public. • Remember to have fun! • Return assigned equipment to the PL at the end of the patrol day at shed or trailhead, and notify the PL if any equipment needs to be dried, repaired or has been opened.
Patrol Leader Duties
Make sure that the patrol day proceeds safely, effectively, as planned, and the events and attendance are documented. Monday-to-Wednesday before the Patrol Weekend • Arrange with MM to meet at Equipment Shed at 8:00 am of the patrol day to prepare patrolling gear. • Receive list of patrol members from MM. • Contact patrol members and verify expected attendance, and inform where and when to meet (normally 8:30 a.m. at the Equipment Shed). This must be done by MM if not by PLs. If the MM wants the PL to do it, and the PL refuses, then the MM must find another PL. • Inform MM of any patrol members unwilling to commit to attending. Saturday • At 8:00 am meet MM at the equipment shed. Prepare patrolling gear, using posted guide of equipment vs. patrol size; use Equipment Checklists. • If patrolling at a non-cache location, be sure to take the porta-cache. • Make sure to take the appropriate PL Forms Module: blue for the Toiyabe Forest /Mount Rose area or clear for the Tahoe Forest: Castle Peak or Truckee areas. • Prepare for any scenarios and take appropriate gear. • At 8:30 am meet with patrollers and distribute gear and discuss the day's agenda. • Agree with MM on time to rendezvous at equipment shed. • Proceed to patrolling location, distribute gear to patrol if not done already; and check in with NF dispatch. • Perform beacon check. • Know the capabilities of your patrol members. • Proceed with the patrol, making decisions as to route, equipment usage, and patrol split-up, training, and incidents as necessary. • Fill out Patrol Report as day proceeds, recording as necessary: survey results, snowmobile activity in closed areas, avalanche activity above what is forecast, incidents, etc. • Remember to include time for fun activities or training. • At end of the Day, return to trailhead, and then check out with NF dispatch. If you can't contact them by radio you must check out by phone ASAP so they don't send out a search party for you. • Retrieve gear from patrol members and note any gear needing drying. For gear needing repair, make a note on the DOL, then tag the item and set it aside at the shed. Do not return defective or incomplete items to bins for another patroller to deal with. • Meet MM at equipment shed at agreed-upon time. • Contact MM if you are going to be substantially late. • Help MM to prepare gear for next patrol day; including recharging used batteries and drying wet items. • Give all completed forms to MM. Replenish your forms module with blanks. Sunday • Same as Saturday except plus: Place dry gear in appropriate shelves.
