A Senior Alpine Ski & Toboggan pre-course (also called a clinic) is an instructor-led training session where Senior-level skiing and toboggan-handling techniques are taught on Senior-level (more difficult) terrain. Typically the participating Senior trainers and candidates are divided and grouped so that two-to-three Senior trainers will work with a group of three-to-four Senior candidates. The trainers (also called clinicians) will demonstrate every procedure for the candidate and will then observe and critique the candidates as they in turn, demonstrate their proficiency with the technique. A Candidate who, for whatever reason, does not wish to participate with a particular technique or procedure, is free to decline. A candidate will never be compelled to demonstrate any technique or procedure.
Simply put, pre-courses are practice sessions (for both candidates and evaluators) for the evaluations. Senior candidates should observe and practice all areas of the Senior Ski & Toboggan evaluation and receive verbal and written feedback on their performance. Evaluators will demonstrate all maneuvers, provide verbal feedback to the candidates throughout the clinic, and complete scorecards for each candidate. Senior candidates should leave the pre-course knowing if they would have passed the evaluation that day, and if not, exactly why not. Evaluators should leave the pre-course confident and familiar with the paperwork and procedures for the evaluation.
The evaluations should closely resemble the pre-courses, minus instruction. If your performance on a particular maneuver is in doubt, you may be asked to repeat the maneuver. Also, many variables will enter the equation on evaluation day: snow conditions, weather, amount of rest the night before, etc. Do your best to arrive well rested and prepared; the evaluators will do their best to compensate for the other variables. In short, prepare for items you can control...and don't sweat the rest.
In the Western Region, Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior pre-courses are conducted as practice evaluations, during which candidates demonstrate excellent OEC proficiency, leadership, teamwork, and scene management skills at a series of scenario-based testing stations. Typically the participating Senior candidates are divided into groups of three candidates per group. Each group of candidates is assigned an advocate. The advocate will work with a specific group throughout the day-long pre-course. The advocate serves as a liaison between the group of candidates and the groups of Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior evaluators assigned to each of the testing stations. Advocates also relay and interpret critiques of the candidate's proficiency by the evaluators. Open discussion between the advocate and the candidate team is encouraged during the pre-courses. At each testing station, one candidate will be evaluated as the lead patroller, and the other two candidates will be evaluated as assisting patrollers. Schedules will have been prepared ahead of time by the Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior Coordinator which cycle each candidate through a specific number of lead and assisting roles. In most cases, Senior candidates will be using equipment brought from their Patrol facility such as traction and splinting devices, backboards, and oxygen equipment. Senior Trainers and their candidates are expected to make the necessary arrangements to have the equipment brought to the precourses/evaluations, and returned to the respective Patrol facilities.
It is important for candidates to realize that competence with all OEC skills is expected and assumed by the evaluators at Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior pre-courses. It is strongly recommended that Senior candidates have their "Completion Log for OEC Basic Skills Performance Check-off" sheets completed before participating in a Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior pre-course. As with the Senior Ski & Toboggan pre-course, Senior candidates should leave the pre-course knowing if they would have passed the evaluation that day, and if not, exactly why not. Evaluators should leave the pre-course confident and familiar with the paperwork and procedures for the evaluation.
Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior evaluations should closely resemble the pre-courses. As with a pre-course, candidates will be divided into three-person groups, and each group will be assigned an advocate. During the morning series of evaluations, the advocate is permitted to relay and interpret proficiency critiques. However, during the afternoon, the advocate does not relay or interpret critiques. At the conclusion of the evaluation, the advocate will discuss with each candidate privately, the candidate's proficiency critiques. As with the Alpine evaluation, do your best to arrive well rested and prepared; the evaluators will do their best to compensate for the other variables. In short, prepare for items you can control...and don't sweat the rest.
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Return to the Western Region Calendar Education/Programs "Okay, I'm interested. What are the steps?" Tips on taking the Emergency Mgt. (OEC) Senior evaluation.