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This section contains news articles of interest to the patrolling community in general. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the ASPA executive, nor can any information displayed here be relied upon as being accurate without further research and collaboration.
FIPS update Feb 2008
By Glenn McIlroy
25 February 2008
F.I.P.S. 2009
The Federation International Patrol de Ski (FIPS) was founded over 30 years ago. Primarily the brainchild of French Canadian Dr Mark Labow who connected his driving passion for Ski Patrolling and the need for ski patrols to meet and communicate the latest techniques and skills of ski patrolling. Together with other heads from ski patrols from Australia, Europe, North and South America, Canada and the United Kingdom he facilitated the first International Congress in 1975. Today the FIPS board comprises members from all the above countries. As the current ASPA Vice President International Liaison I am the Australian member on the FIPS board.
FIPS congresses include a variety of informative presentations and workshops. Some promote the latest technologies and techniques, whilst others simply give the attendee a unique perspective of ski patrolling from the presenter’s homeland. Although each ski area around the globe has its own diverse geography and climate, it is remarkable the similarities in core values of ski patrollers that draw them together. Sending delegates to FIPS is a way of internationally bench marking Australian ski patrolling. The next FIPS Congress is being held in Are, Sweden starting in April 2009. FIPS is a seven-day get together of patrollers from all over the globe. It is a forum that has no bias and is open to all.
Every two years ASPA provides financial assistance to ski patrollers who wish to attend the congress. To be eligible to receive assistance you may be asked to deliver or assist with the delivery of a presentation at the congress. Assistance may come in the form of full or partial funding support. Some individuals may receive limited funding from their own organizations and only require some additional assistance, whilst full funding may be the only option for others vying for a position at the congress. If you are asking ASPA for any assistance you must satisfy the selection committee that you would make a suitable delegate of ASPA. Be aware it is at the discretion of ASPA to offer partial or full funding.
There are three ways that you can attend the FIPS congress in Sweden
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The official congress fees are yet to be released by FIPS but going on past costing it is envisaged to be set at US$950. This covers accommodation, meals and participation at the congress. We expect return travel costs to Are to be in the vicinity of AU$3,000.00. ASPA has a limited budget to help provide assistance, with the total number of delegates representing ASPA expected to be five in all.
To download an application form
go to the FIPS section on the website www.skipatrol.o
To find out more information about FIPS:
www.fips.cam.or
www.fips2007.or
Regards
Glenn McIlroy
VP International Liaison
