Fire and ice

Alex Schank is a retired firefighter of 30 years, but he continues to help save lives.

Schank has served as a ski patroller for 43 years. His dad took him skiing for the first time at age 6.

Schank said, “I started skiing regularly in high school and then in college. My wife, Rita, and I went out West during those college years and skied those slopes. I enjoy skiing very much and I started my daughters young.”

Schank’s schedule as a fireman allowed him to be off during the day and during the week. Schank said, “One of my coworkers said you should go out for the ski patrol. The resorts needed people during the week and the day. And that still holds today. Ski patrollers are needed during the week and day hours. This year I am on the slopes on Tuesday and Thursdays. I am at two Wisconsin Resorts, Cascade and Wilmot.”

What skills do you need to become a ski patroller?

Schank mentioned that there are inherent risks with Skiing and snowboarding. He said, “A huge part of any ski patroller’s day is serving as a first responder to any medical emergencies on the mountain. You must know first aid. I have a National Ski Patrol’s (NSP) Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification or you need a Department of Transportation approved course to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license. CPR certification is also needed. There is required recertification every year. I am also an OEC instructor and have been for a long time.”

Schank is a member of The National Ski Patrol, an international, federally chartered, non-profit organization of more than 28,500 volunteers and professionals working for local ski areas to make skiing safe and enjoyable for all. NSP develops training criteria including toboggan handling.

The patrollers have a very important role.

“The ski patrollers are the only ones who can get the injured person down the mountain,” Schank said. “No one else can get them down. Our job is to get take care of people as best as we can and get them down the mountain. We do that on a toboggan and we are trained to do that. Our three primary jobs are to do an assessment, Appropriate Treatment, and Transport down to Emergency Care.”

Patrollers also determine slope safety and answer questions. But Schank states, “We are not cops on the hills. We’re more like a fireman. We work in the background most of the time and people only see us if they are injured.”

Schank explained that this important role is also enjoyable.

“I love it. A day skiing is better than sitting around and doing nothing for three or four hours. I do get free skiing for myself and family. Wilmot is part of the Vail ski resorts and as a benefit provided by Vail Resorts, I do get a limited pass for their resorts. I do pay some professional dues on an annual basis. Patrollers are also responsible for acquiring their ski/snowboard equipment, clothing, parkas, and first aid packs. The cost can run over $1,500.”

Schank adds, “The resorts cannot open without the ski patrollers. We are the first on and the last out.”

Has Schank ever had a ski injury himself?

He responds, “Yes. I was sliding and falling. I torqued my ski and fractured my fibula. Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, I got up and I was fine until I tried to make a left turn. We had to cancel a ski trip that year.”

Stopping in blind spots and losing control are common reasons for fatalities and injuries at ski areas and can be avoidable. Taking a rest is fine, but pull over and look uphill to see who might be coming down. Skiing fast is fine, but take into consideration your stopping ability.

Schank said, “Most common injuries are broken legs and with snowboarders broken thumbs. They put their hand out to stop from falling.”

Equipment saves you, stresses Schank. Every year, ski shops get a list of “indemnified bindings” that are covered by the original manufacturers. If your bindings aren’t on the list, professional ski techs will not work on them due to safety concerns.

Schank said, “And then there’s wear and tear skis and snowboards can lose their responsiveness over time. Any ski shop can test your equipment, look at your binding. It’s a must to check that equipment.”

“I see skiers and snowboarders on the slope from age 3 to those in their eighties. I have seen residents from Sun City on the slopes I patrol. We have patrollers in their late seventies. I will keep patrolling until I can’t do it safely. I will retire when I can’t take down that toboggan that is critical.”

Schank’s favorite place to ski?

“It depends what you are looking for,” he said. “Steamboat Spring Resort in Colorado is family-friendly offering savings for the family. Breckenridge Ski Resort also in Colorado is a great place.”

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