2004-2005 Outstanding Patrol in the Pacific NW Division

Nine happily surprised patrollers were on hand to accept 49's "Outstanding Patrol in the Pacific Northwest Division" award, presented in Seattle August 14. Outgoing Volunteer Patrol Director John Phillips was unable to attend the convention, but when reached for comment, he said, "This patrol is a large group of super, hard-working, dedicated individuals who always stand out and make things happen."

 Newly elected Volunteer Patrol Director Penelope Geisler was present to accept the award on behalf of the patrol. She said, "I feel terrific about it, and am honored to be part of this great team; they deserve this outstanding recognition of dedication and hard work."

 49's patrol is composed of people from all walks of life. Occupations include health care professionals, educators, fire-fighters, stay-at-home parents, contractors, foresters, air force officers, retirees, and college and high school students. "Many are leaders in their own professions, yet come together to work as an outstanding team," says patroller Danial Baker, patrol instructor and Professor of Pharmacy at Washington State University. "This recognition is a great compliment to this group and its leadership," he says.

Patrols are nominated based on how active the patrollers are on the hill and in the community, including the average number of patrol days; the kind and number of ski patrol training and workshops hosted by the patrol; the number of region, division and national officers on the patrol, and how much community service patrollers provide on and off the hill.

49's patrol is truly outstanding in all areas. Even though snow coverage was poor and the hill was only open just more than half the normal number of operating days last year, the patrol averaged 10 people on duty daily. Patroller retention was 95% from the previous year; 49 boasts 73 volunteer and 7 paid patrollers.

49 has an unusually large number of national, division and region leaders, including National Board Member Terry LaLiberte, Division Controller Dolores LaLiberte, Division Nordic Adviser Eric Geisler, Region Director Sue Garcia and Region Treasurer Rick DeBennedetto. The patrol also has a high number of instructor trainers and instructors, including 19 first aid instructors and 13 ski/toboggan instructors. 49 instructors also teach Avalanche, Nordic, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Senior, and Instructor Development clinics.

In addition to providing the obvious first aid, race support and general customer service, the 49 patrol hosts a yearly used snow equipment sale in Colville (second week-end in November at the Colville Fairgrounds), cosponsors a fall bike ride with the Chewelah Lions Club, hosts a fun-filled Spring week-end on the hill called "Hawaiian Daze", and provides an integral safety lesson to nearly 300 5th and 6th graders in the spring skiing education program. Patrollers also serve on Chewelah Rural Ambulance and Stevens County Nordic Rescue.

Individual patrollers have also received many Division and National awards, including two at the 2005 division convention-Pro Patrol Director Gary Deaver for runner-up "Outstanding Pro Patroller in the Nation," and Eric Geisler's Distinguished Service Award. See related stories following.

The Pacific Northwest Division is comprised of 30 ski patrols from Washington, Idaho and Oregon. 49 was nominated for the award after being selected "Outstanding Ski Patrol" from the Inland Empire Region, which consists of 9 patrols, including Silver Mountain, Lookout Pass, Mission Ridge and Mt. Spokane. The 49 patrol will automatically be considered, along with nominees from the 10 other divisions, for the national award next year.