The Wisconsin Trail Patrol Ambassador Program Is Seeking Volunteers for 2013

Press Release

The Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA) and the Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador program are looking for volunteers to attend their classes in 2013. The Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador Program is a flagship community outreach service that helps keep our trails safe while improving the public image of our sport. Duties include assisting lost or stranded riders, safety education, working with local / state/ federal law enforcement officers, trail patrol “hot spots” and other positive image activities. Classes are being formed for the 2013 season based on demand. Those that are interested may sign up at www.trailpatrol.com and click “Volunteer Now.”

The Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador program was formed in 2002 by the not for profit organization NOHVIS. All around Wisconsin the program has helped communities open up new trails and routes with the understanding that volunteers would self-patrol the trail system while working with local law enforcement. Our volunteers go above and beyond from just patrolling to teaching safety classes, talking with government officials and working with other user groups on shared trail issues.

Volunteering for the program is fun, easy and rewarding. Trail Patrol Ambassadors must patrol with at least one other credentialed Trail Ambassador. The activities of the Trail Ambassador often include: patrolling a section of trails while looking to assist riders who are lost or stranded; report illegal trail activities to law enforcement; attend public events to provide a positive image of ATV & UTV riders; assist at state wide level events and some even help organize club trail rides. Our volunteers choose what type of participation level to get involved with. Some of our volunteers only like to patrol while others like to reach out and get more involved with local events.

We have two levels of trail ambassadors to better fit our volunteer’s needs:

1. Advanced TPA: Advanced TPA volunteers are also certified DNR ATV safety instructors that not only perform the activities of a Trail Ambassador, but also teach a few DNR ATV safety classes throughout the year. Those wishing to become an Advanced TPA, unless they are already an active DNR ATV instructor, will need to take a separate instructor course which includes a thorough review and understanding of the DNR ATV safety instructor manual. As a prerequisite for the instructor training, the applicant will need to download the DNR instructor manual files, then complete and submit the self-study, open book quiz approximately 30 days before the actual selected training date. If the new TPA applicant is already an active DNR instructor but not a TPA, upon successfully passing the ½ day TPA training will qualify the person as an Advanced TPA. No additional instructor training is necessary in order to qualify as a new Advanced Trail Patrol Ambassador.
2. Auxiliary TPA: If you’re willing to help out with just the riding portion of the program, this level of trail patrol is just for you! Auxiliary TPA members are encouraged to patrol the trails and assist others enjoying our sport. That’s it! New Auxiliary TPA applicants (non-instructors) need to only attend the ½ day trail patrol training course.  For new Auxiliary TPA applicants that have never been an instructor, there is another prerequisite required before coming to the Trail Patrol training session. In lieu of being an ATV instructor, these applicants must first be graduates as a student of the Wisconsin DNR ATV safety course (on line or classroom training, both are accepted). Applicants for both TPA categories, including those taking the re-certification TPA training to become Advanced TPAs, must pass criminal background checks which will be completed approximately 30 days before the day of training by the NOHVIS Group home office.

At certain times of the year the Wisconsin ATV Association calls upon its volunteer core to help out at their state wide events. Last year we had a few opportunities to assist with events including TrailCon in Antigo, the VIP ride in Tigerton and the Youth Expo in Beaver Dam. There are also “hot spot” patrols held at different times of the riding season to assist law enforcement officers during high traffic periods or sensitive areas of a trail system. The “hot spot” patrols are a great way to learn how local and state recreation officers work on the enforcement side of the program.

Classes are being formed for the 2013 season and are held based on regions of the state. Each region has a contact called a Regional Coordinator who lines up the classes based on demand. Often times we can train members of several clubs in one setting to further improve their positive image within the region. Generally speaking, the classes are held on a Saturday and run about four hours long (for the Trail Ambassador training). Those wishing to become an Advanced Trail Ambassador also must complete an additional DNR ATV Safety Instructor program. Please inquire for more details.

To learn more or to put your name on the waiting list, please visit the official Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassador web site located at www.trailpatrol.com.

Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association
NOHVIS Group Inc.
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