Should the NWAC be publicly funded?

It seems that NWAC/FOAC is going a great job of outreach.

I polled a couple of sledders at work today regarding avalanche safety.  One said he was aware of NWAC but didn't use it, then admitted it would be a good idea to be more safety conscious.  The other said he used NWAC once in a while.  He said he tried to avoid avalanche terrain but did cross runout paths on his way to safer terrain.  I can't comment on  their overall safety but the feeling I had was that I would not BC ski with either of them.  They don't carry probe, shovel, or beacon.

Of the ones I polled at work.......some similar results .
Most didn't know of NWAC.
About half said they didn't ride steep terrain and didn't really think about run-out zones from above when prompted by me.
Same amount mentioned that when avy conditions where high it was mentioned on the news weather reports on TV.
2 that did thought it was for skiers mainly.
All said they would look it up but that might have been to appease me.

And just to clear up my position especially with the direction this thread has taken. I do believe part of NWAC's budget should be publicly funded but not all. The parts that relate to commerce of the nation should be permanently funded by WA DOT. The parts that relate to recreation should be privately funded. Since I agree with privately funding part of it... I donate to FOAC even though I also pay taxes.
I hope all you posters either donate or will donate as well although you don't have to at the present to reap the rewards.
How that split would or could be determined I don't know.
PAY UP YOU FREELOADERS,

One thing missing from this discussion is who is out there doing the outreach Scotsman says NWAC should be doing. Ortovox and BCA have special reps giving awareness talks at retailers and clubs. This year, ASAP has trained a number of snowmobilers to teach AIARE level 1 courses with a modified curriculum to address the significant differences in travel techniques used. AIARE, AAA,CAA and a number of other avi educators have been developing a course that specifically addresses the unique characteristics of traveling at 50+ mph up 40+ degree terrain and find few machiners interested. They have attended the WA State Snomo expo in Puyallup for the last 10 years and many machiners came up to give MJ a hard time and say hello.

Outreach has been ongoing for over 10 years in WA state and one of the reasons for its slow impact is how snowmobilers spend their money.
$5000-10,000 for the machine
$200-$10,000 for a trailer
$1-10,000 for after market products for their machine.
This is an average range which actually outspends most bc skiers, snowboarders and snow shoers.
With this spending pattern, BCA, Ortovox and Piep have struggled to explain the value of another $3-500 of safety equipment plus a $300+ course to help improve safety when most machines can out run an avalanche.

With all the energy that went into this thread, it should of been used on a snow machine forum, www.slednw.com/ , helping our winter traveling brethren share in the resources that are free to the public.

ASAP ???explain
MJ? explain.
Private for profit companies donating and outreaching....Very, very good and kudos to them.
Out run an avalanche.... maybe in some situations  but obviously given the deaths..... doesn't happen much and I'm surprised you have that view especially since you are a guide aren't you?

ASAP ???explain
MJ? explain.
Private for profit companies donating and outreaching....Very, very good and kudos to them.
Out run an avalanche.... maybe in some situations  but obviously given the deaths..... doesn't happen much and I'm surprised you have that view especially since you are a guide aren't you?

ASAP is  Alpine Safety Awareness Program .

MJ is their Executive Director Michael Jackson (hence the MJ moniker).

He's also on the advisory board of AIARE .

ASAP is  Alpine Safety Awareness Program .

MJ is their Executive Director Michael Jackson (hence the MJ moniker).

He's also on the advisory board of AIARE .

Thanks for the information and clarifications.
I read your website.
Very impressive organization and goals and I agree your outreach to snowmobilers and children( get 'em young) is great and seems IMHO much better thought out and more proactive than FOAC's but that's only a personal opinion.
Is all your funding from pivate donations or do you receive some public funding or grants?
How is your budget faring in these hard times? Donations down/up?
There seems to be numerous organizations competing for the same dollars but with essentially the same goals( FOAC/NWAC, ASAP, AIARE, FOAIARE) which begs the question if some sort of amalgamation wouldn't be sensible to cut down on the competition for dollars and reduce the overhead costs that it takes to run all these separate organizations??

What do you think the best way to work with the sledneck crew is?