2021-Chainsaw Training & Certification Workshop

Start Date-End Date: 06/04/2021-06/06/2021 Land Manager Office: USFS - South Platte Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Chris Kuennen Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: USFS - South Platte Ranger District Summary: Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 3 day workshop! Description: This training is full. If you would like to be put on the waitlist without making a payment, contact Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org. If a spot opens up and you can attend the training, we will take payment at that time. Priority registration will be given to VOC volunteers or those interested in participating in VOC's chainsaw projects. The planned location for this training is Buffalo Creek, CO. The final location is subject to change, within 1-1.5 hour drive of the Denver Metro area. All others should contact Kelly Clouseat kclouse@voc.orgor 303-715-1010 ext. 118 prior to registration. Important:A current basic First Aid and CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You MUST have this certification PRIOR to taking this class. Trainees must register for all 3 days of the training Whether they're used for thinning fuel loads in forests, removing invasive species, clearing blow downs or much more, chainsaws are an indispensable tool in many different natural resource and trail management applications. The focus of this 3-day workshop will be on saw safety; bucking, limbing, and felling principles and techniques; overview of the tools of the trade as well as tool care and maintenance; hazard analysis and situational awareness; and did we mention safety (lots on sawing safety!). Using the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) Curriculum, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" Sawyer skill level for Felling and Bucking.Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed. This is not an S-212 class. Please contact Dan Williams with any questions. About Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) Originally created in collaboration with other organizations, OSI offers affordable, in-depth training courses for volunteers and employees from any organization to learn or improve their stewardship skills and prepare for a variety of leadership roles. Approximately 300 people each year receive OSI training in topics such as volunteer crew leadership; trail design, construction, and maintenance; ecological, habitat, and fire restoration; crosscut saw skills and more. OSI is a program of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), the state's oldest, largest, and leading outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.voc.org/osi or call 303-715-1010. Latitude/Longitude: 39.361961, -105.244031 Additional Information: Important: A current basic First Aid and CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You MUST have this certification PRIOR to taking this class. Required Equipment Heavy-duty, cut-resistant or leather, waterproof or water-repellent, 8-inch-high laced boots with nonskid soles Long sleeves Pants (no fraying on the boot overlap) First Aid Kit Hearing protection for 85 decibels or higher (available to participants in limited quantities) Leather gloves (available to participants in limited quantities) 6pt hard hat (available to participants in limited quantities) Eye protection (available to participants in limited quantities) You're welcome to bring a saw or chaps if you own them. However, VOC is planning to provide these to trainees as part of the training. Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: High Altitude Project: Desired Number of Volunteers: 9 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 31 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 31 Total Unique Volunteers: 11 Total Volunteer Hours: 248 Staff Hours: 42 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Training on the safe and effective use of chainsaws in felling trees. 3 days in total. Day 1--classroom training with a power point. Went over best practices, OHLEC, and various dangers that could occur if the sawyer isn't being safe. Day 2--Hands on training at Kelsey Creek. Newer sawyers spent their time on stations, observing how others fell trees, practicing limbing and bucking, practicing face cuts, practicing bore cuts and getting a general feel for the saw. A few were able to progress to felling trees that day. More practiced sawyers were split into slightly more advanced crews and began with felling. Day 3-- Everyone was able to fell trees this day to qualify for their A Feller (or above if already certified higher) Successes and Challenges: Successes Lots of hands on training with various qualified sawyers to give tips as well as different perspectives. No injuries or serious close calls Everyone was able to get certified Challenges Very hot weather on our first in field day Not every chainsaw worked properly Very little time spent on maintenance of the saws -- no one was able to actually preform maintenance on the saws and were simply given an overview on Stihls specifically Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Volunteers were enthusiastic and really want chances to advance their skills overall. A few wondered how VOC would proceed with chainsaw projects without B level sawyers and thought it would be a good idea to provide trainings for volunteers to get to a B level feller so as staff and more experienced volunteers move on there are still qualified fellers to supervise projects. Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: