These organizations are comprised of ski patrollers, physicians, lawyers, engineers, technicians, ski equipment instructors, ski area managers, etc., who are involved in the multi-disciplinary activities of ski patrolling.
To answer this question, we would have to go back about 25 years. Although there were many ski patrols in existence at that time, there was very little communication between them.
No doubt each patrol thought their organization to be the best, in all aspects. Ski patrollers who had the opportunity to ski in other countries noticed some differences in procedures relative to their own. Accident prevention programmes were being utilized in some countries.
Thus, there seemed to be a need for ski patrols to meet and communicate the latest techniques available. There was a need, and FIPS was created to fill that need.
However, FIPS as a single identity could not do if alone. It required the help and support of all patrol organizations, large and small, to provide the necessary input and to supply the solutions.
It is a recognized fact not all patrols receive the same benefits from FIPS. Indeed there are many that give a lot more than they receive, and this is as it should be. This is the essence of FIPS. As more and more countries join FIPS, the interchange of ideas can only improve its efforts in the art of patrolling.
FIPS is not on individual effort - by person or country - but rather the combined efforts of many individuals and ski patrols. With their help, FIPS will continue to grow in size and stature, and will continue to provide the best services possible to the skiing public.
