By Natalie Everitt, Muskoka Zone patroller (natalie.everitt@skipatrol.ca) and Kerri Loudoun, Western Zone patroller (kerri.loudoun@skipatrol.ca)
My first FIPS congress in Italy was transforming and, since that first congress, I have been fortunate to attend three others. Argentina, then Sweden and this year, Canada.
The first congress was overwhelming. The educational sessions were amazing, with on snow practice with patrollers and mountain rescue worker from around the world. The level of expertise was incredible.
Now I look forward to reviewing the program leading up to FIPS to see what topics there are. This year’s topics were perfect for this 68-year-old patroller. It was incredible to learn what we thought was a simple injury and treatment can be much more serious for us boomers. There is always something new to learn in the sessions, even the ones that may not have direct application in our own patrols and patrol work.
On the participant side, our own patrols become family, and our division became a larger family. FIPS is an even larger family that supports you in your ski patrol or mountain rescue journey. With each congress, the knowledge increases as well as the comradery. Every congress there are new people to connect with and learn from.
For me FIPS has afforded me many opportunities to learn about patrol and mountain rescue, learn from other patrollers around the world and learn more about myself.
Everyone should try to attend at least one FIPS congress in their patrol or mountain rescue career.
~ Natalie Everitt, Muskoka Zone patroller
I wasn’t too sure what to expect at my first FIPS congress. It sometimes can be daunting when you have nothing as an example to consider how the week will go.
But, I put my big girl pants on, and being in my home country certainly made some of the typical stresses that come with travel, less intense.
The variety of educational seminars was excellent. And there was no shortage of on-snow work. My favourite presentation was from Laura McGladrey and a new app ( Field Responder ) that has been developed to support ski patrollers beyond the standard CISM resources currently available.
Days were packed with programming but equally packed with chances to meet new colleagues from all over the world. I was so excited to also catch up in person with some old friends within the CSP.
The highlight of the week was being a part of “Team Spaghetti” in the toboggan race. While I’ve watched toboggan races in the CSP Central Zone, I have never been in a race before. I was asked by a few of the Italian patrollers, to join their team. No pressure, to make the Italians (and the Canadians) proud. Despite losing out in the semi-finals, it was the most fun I’ve ever had driving a rescue toboggan. It was also the most challenging weather conditions I’ve ever skied in: flat light and poor visibility due to fog is no joke!
As a first-timer at a FIPS congress, I can confirm there are many things you can check off your patrol bucket list: meeting new people, going to a new ski area, catching up with old friends, learning new information to be a better patroller, getting some cool swag from different countries, eating lots and thinking about where patrolling might next take you.
~ Kerri Loudoun, Western Zone patroller
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