[philmont] Wilderness First Aid IS REQUIRED in 2008 and beyond

Give 'em hell, Mike!
I started this thread with my own rant, and I too, used the phrase "unfunded mandate." As to the "desk jockeys in Irving", I agree. When was the last time any of those guys took an 11-year old on his first Scout campout? How about the the last trip to Philmont that didn't include a ride in a Suburban to a staffed camp? (Perish the thought of an overnight trip to a back-country, dry camp.)There are times I feel that many of the "professionals" at the National, and even local Council level are out of touch with day-to-day Troop operations. We are, after all, VOLUNTEERS. We give of our time and personal resources to benefit youth because we believe in the Scouting program. As VOLUNTEERS, we should not be taken for granted.
Eventually the WFA problem will be solved, but not without a lot of kicking, screaming and hystrionics on the part of all concerned.

Craig Winney
St Louis, MO

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Michael_J_Conkey@nbc.gov
  To: philmont List Member
  Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 8:13 AM
  Subject: [philmont] Wilderness First Aid IS REQUIRED in 2008 and beyond

  There was a lengthy thread on this new requirement more than a year ago
  with National FIRST proposed the WFA requirement for 2007 treks. As I
  understand it, National backed off because in many areas of the country,
  there simply were not enough WFA instructors to teach the courses. So,
  they didn't completely do their homework before they passed the
  requirement. So then, on top of having the volunteers pay for the course,
  they also had to pay to drive 300 miles and stay in a hotel to get the
  training! The Denver Area Council is quite big, covering a fair amount of
  territory and people. My understanding is that we have access to ONE
  BSA-Uniform-Wearing WFA instructor in our Council and I have yet to see a
  course scheduled. That means you will probably have to pay the steep price
  to get it from a commercial source.

  WFA is akin to discussing religion and politics. Everyone has their own 2
  cents and you probably aren't going to do too much opinion-changing in this
  forum <g>! Personally, I see the WFA requirement as an "unfunded mandate"
  from National (meaning, they are going to require it, but not help at all
  with the cost) and probably results from a "knee-jerk" reaction to one or
  two events from a desk jockey in Irving, TX. When I originally posted my
  "rant" to this requirement over a year ago, my question was: does National
  have ANY statistics that would support that WFA will save the number of
  lives necessary to offset the significant cost of having 1, 2 or more
  members of EVERY trek WFA-trained? Just some rough calculations puts the
  cost of the WFA requirement in the million+ dollars per year just in course
  fees, not counting the lost time/travel costs for the participants. I know
  some would say that saving only ONE life makes it worth it. I would prefer
  more of a cost/benefit analysis and instead of an "unfunded mandate", how
  about more explanation as to their logic behind the requirement? Once they
  decide WFA isn't enough, when do they make "first responder" training a
  requirement? After a few years, will each trek need an EMT? I find it
  could be a slippery slope once you head down that path..... Eventually,
  you get to acceptable risk level, but who decides that level? Would it be
  better to just place a disclaimer in the Medical Form (and there may be one
  already) that says something like " back-country camping carries inherent
  risks and it is the responsibility of each individual trek member to be
  prepared for emergencies"?

  While I'm not a Libertarian, but see some benefit in some of their feelings
  about too much regulation. When do you cross the line from "safe" to
  "overkill"? Most Scouts and Scouters have limited time and funds available
  for training. When does it become a "burden" and force people to cross
  Philmont off their "to do" list because they can't devote the time to the
  training "required" of those who attend? Also, as a Philmont participant,
  I do not expect instant gratification should I get hurt on the trail. It's
  a risk associated with the behavior (of participating), and I'm OK with the
  current risk level WITHOUT having WFA-training in my trek.

  I do agree with Coop that they are unprepared leaders out there, but I
  would suggest it is the exception, rather than the rule. If I was hurt in
  the back-country, I'd rather be with a bunch of Scouts or Venturers that
  just about any other youth group (or their leaders) in existence. Even if
  NONE of them were WFA trained.

  I guess I'm more of a pragmatist and in this case, find their regulations a
  bit heavy-handed. Not to tick off anyone at Philmont (because I know they
  monitor the list <g>), but I know they aren't driving the bus on this one,
  they are riding along with the rest of us.... I'll hop off my soapbox, but
  this is just my 2 cents and your mileage will certainly vary. I have thick
  skin, so flame away <g! YIS. Mike Conkey ('76, '02, '04 and '07).

  -------------------------------------------------------
  Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
  Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
  -------------------------------------------------------
  Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
  Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
  List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
  List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
  -------------------------------------------------------
  To Unsubscribe send text email to:

       To: listserv@troop47.com
       Subject: unsubscribe
       Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
  -------------------------------------------------------

  As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
  Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
  loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
  cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
  -------------------------------------------------------

  --
  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/762 - Release Date: 4/15/2007 4:22 PM

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:

     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------

As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Mon Apr 16 23:00:31 2007