By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
The highest operating award that a member of the CSP can receive is the Canadian Ski Patroller Award (often shortened to “CSP Award”). It is given to recognize regular members in good standing who, through their activities and actions, have made major ongoing contributions at the zone, division, and/or national levels to support the work of the CSP.
Since the CSP was founded in 1941, there have been just 986 individuals recognized with a CSP Award, starting with Dr. Doug Firth. These individuals are the supports on which the CSP stands and can be easily recognized, as they are the ones who have a silver-coloured name and award number bar on their nametags.
In 2025, the CSP was delighted to recognize another three such individuals. Brief outlines about the contributions of these individuals are set out below.
At the upcoming AGM in September, the contributions of an additional group of special members will be recognized for 2026. In March of this year National Recognition Committee Chair Wyn Smith provided an article in the 5/5 with information about how to submit national awards nominations so that deserving individuals can be recognized. The deadline for submissions for 2026 is April 28.
Dean Buzza, Gatineau Zone
CSP No. 987
Dean Buzza has been a member of the CSP since 1979 and has served as a patroller, instructor, instructor-trainer, training activity coordinator, zone president and now zone vice-president of operations. He is known as a leader and innovator and has always empowered portfolio managers to manage their responsibilities and make decisions that reflect the zone and Quebec Division priorities within the national vision. He is a team builder in every sense of the word.
As the pandemic arose, Dean took on the role of COVID-19 planning and preparation team leader, coordinating the zone’s response and merged the zone programs into the CSP national COVID-19 plan, which ensured successful and continued CSP coverage at resorts during the pandemic. This also led to higher-than-expected retention as patrollers felt safe while on duty.
Dean has had a leadership role in many of the special events, the largest being Escapade. It is a three-day festival with more than 30,000 attendees, many of whom take all forms of mind-altering substances, and some of whom have taken enough drugs to be in a medical crisis.
Through his leadership the Gatineau Zone special event teams and skills have become the first aid provider brand most requested for service in the National Capital Region. To quote the Ottawa Paramedic Service, “Whenever paramedics hear that the Canadian Ski Patrol is covering the event they are happy because we know many difficult medical problems will be properly handled and, and the CSP, are one team providing medical/first aid services to the public.” That pretty much says it all.
Dean is a most deserving recipient of CSP No. 987 in 2025.
Chris T. Baker, Central Zone
CSP No. 988
Chris Baker has been a patroller for 17 years in his own right, although his exposure to the CSP has been far longer than that.
In Central Zone, Chris is known for his extensive work helping to run the Toronto Ski Swap as a floor manager and managing the public receiving process, fine-tuning it yearly to enhance the customer experience. When not all members of the swap management team returned after a pandemic hiatus, he took on the primary floor manager’s role. He was also a key member of the team that ran the Barrie ski Swap. Both events are significant revenue sources for the zone.
In 2019, Chris took on the role of director of on snow for three years, responsible for ensuring all 12 zone resorts completed the required training and recertification for their patrollers. He assists with the recertification of on snow instructors for the zone and is also responsible for the on snow component of the annual Central Zone President’s Cup skills competition.
Chris is an active instructor-trainer, assisting at various recertification courses, the ICP Foundation Course and new patroller AFA courses, among other duties. As an instructor he is often sought out for his calm demeanour and approach to evaluations. Patrollers know Chris will set them up for success and they are therefore less nervous during their evaluations.
At his home hill of Craigleith outside of Collingwood, Ontario, Chris is always available to assist with the patrol’s first aid training and on-snow certifications. He’s on duty almost every weekend and is a big part of the patrol’s social events. His commitment at the patrol level is an essential part of maintaining the patrol’s morale.
Congratulations Chris on being recognized with CSP No. 988.
Sylvie Geoffroy, Yukon Zone
CSP No. 989
Sylvie Geoffroy meets and exceeds her volunteer commitments at Mt. Sima, often taking long shifts patrolling at various freestyle events which eases the burden on the rest of the team. She is the most reliable 365 patroller, having worked multiple events so she knows them well. Each provides a donation to the patrol which is so important to the financial vitality of the zone.
At the zone level, Sylvie has been the vice-president of finance since 2012, an often-thankless job with all that it entails and most of which is done out of sight of everyone else. Through her financial management and controls, the zone has been able to keep its registration fees unchanged for the past 15 years while still maintaining a solid financial position.
The importance of strong, stable and consistent financial management is of critical importance to the zone and the CSP as a whole and cannot be understated. Through Sylvie’s support and advice, the zone is able to be successful in providing first aid and rescue services year-round, supporting the local ski areas through equipment purchases, supplies and even a new storage unit for zone equipment.
Well done Sylvie, CSP No. 989 is most well deserved.