TRAIL VOLUNTEERS RISING

 

Forest Service Chainsaw Class - Mendocino National Forest

VOLUNTEERS RISING

  

It’s no secret the prolonged COVID-19 shutdowns had a devastating impact on many non-profit organizations that provide both contract and volunteer workers to help land agencies deal with post wildfire related trail clearing and other recreation projects.

 

Despite the hammer dropping on large-scale volunteer efforts during the lockdown, the good news was that some units allowed small 2-5 person teams that consisted of long time private sector partners to help with clearing downed trees off of trails and other routes.  

 

Those smaller work parties were often the difference between a trail network being reopened to the public and/or helped reduce the off-route impacts from users creating their own unauthorized reroutes to bypass trails sections blocked by downed trees.

 

The other good news is that the Forest Service and non-profit partners have - or are in the process of - restarting chainsaw certification classes for agency fire staff, recreation personnel, and volunteers.

 

The new Region 5 (CA National Forests) Chainsaw Class Video is real cool with good vibes – a great sign that things are getting better.   Watch it… it will make you smile.  You might even recognize yourself or somebody you know.

 

https://vimeo.com/698362331?ref=em-share

 

Thanks to all of you out there who already serve as volunteers or want to join that force.

 

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FS Chainsaw Training – Enhanced Curriculum/Field Instruction with Sharp Focus on Safety

Instructors and Graduates for 2018 Saw Class

Mendocino National Forest

The Forest Service requires that volunteers - who use chainsaws to clear trails of downed trees - get certified or recertified every 3 years.   It was that recertification requirement that prompted QWR’s, Don Amador, to attend a recent chainsaw class guided by tenets of the new National Forest Saw Policy.

The chainsaw class was hosted by the Mendocino National Forest and students included agency staff and trail volunteers from the BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org, Quiet Warrior Racing, Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, Mendocino 4x4 Club, and the California Four Wheel Drive Association.  The class instructor was Captain of the Mendocino Hotshots, a highly skilled wildfire suppression team.

New Sawyer Card

According to the Forest Service, volunteer sawyers covered by those policies often maintain trails on national forests and grasslands or work in Wilderness where crosscut saws are required. The national saw directive standardizes training, evaluation, certification, and safety procedures for sawyers operating on lands managed by the agency.

The safety planning components are related to Felling, Bucking, Brushing and Limbing Plans that uses a planning logic strategy which includes the following analysis and project description categories; Objective, Hazards/Obstacles, Leans/Binds, Escape Routes, and Cut Plan (OHLEC).  This process is applied to all phases of the saw operation.

Class Completion Certificate

Historically, the chainsaw certification levels were largely based on tree size or Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). The current certification rating is more focused on the complexity of the specific felling or bucking task using OHLEC as a decision matrix.  The sawyer certification levels are listed below.

A Sawyer.  An apprentice sawyer who may saw only in the least complex situations or, for training purposes, at the next higher level and in either case only under the immediate supervision of a B or C Sawyer qualified to supervise the work.

B Sawyer – Bucking Only (not applicable in the fire management context). An intermediate sawyer who may independently buck and limb any size material in moderately complex situations and who may saw at the next higher level, but only under the immediate supervision of a sawyer qualified to supervise the work

B Sawyer – Felling and Bucking.  An intermediate sawyer who may independently fell, buck, and limb any size material in moderately complex situations. This person may saw at the next higher level under the immediate supervision of a sawyer qualified to supervise the work. This person may also conduct classroom and field training for A and B Sawyers with prior written approval from the Saw Program Coordinator.

C Sawyer – Bucking Only (not applicable in the fire management context). An advanced sawyer who may independently buck and limb any size material in highly complex situations based on the Regional Saw Program Manager’s or Saw Program Coordinator’s written recommendation. The recommendation must be supported by demonstrated advanced saw knowledge, skills, and in most cases certification as a B Sawyer. This person may conduct classroom and field training within that person’s skill level for A and B Sawyers, and may conduct field proficiency evaluations within that person’s skill level for A Sawyers and B Sawyers ̶ Bucking Only.

    

C Sawyer ̶  Felling and Bucking. An advanced sawyer who may independently fell, buck, and limb any size material in highly complex situations based on the Regional Saw Program Manager’s or Saw Program Coordinator’s written recommendation. The recommendation must be supported by demonstrated advanced saw knowledge, skills, and in most cases certification as a B Sawyer. This person may conduct classroom, field training, and proficiency evaluations for A and B Sawyers.

LINK TO INFO ON THE FOREST SERVICE NATIONAL SAW PROGRAM
https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies/saw-policy
  

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting, states, “I believe the agency has improved its chainsaw training program for trail volunteers with enhanced classroom curriculum and plenty of time allocated for field instruction.”

“I agree with a number of trail volunteers that I talked with (who had been certified under the old saw program) that the new complexity-based certification system makes a lot of sense.  I also appreciated the program’s sharp focus on safety with a primary goal of getting you and your crew back home for dinner at the end of the day,” Amador concludes.

Again, the training is very comprehensive.  Topics include, but are not limited to: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), area size up, proper body positioning and stance,  familiarity with OSHA requirements and regulations, physics of “binds”,  physics of “kickback”, sawyer/swamper communication, cutting area control, danger tree awareness,  job hazard analysis and emergency evacuation plans,  Forest Service radio communication, radio procedures and how to use a Forest Service radio;  parts of the chainsaw,  how to sharpen chainsaw chain,  and saw maintenance;   and of course the inclusion of safe chainsaw handling, starting and stopping procedures, use of escape routes,  and safe fueling of the saw to avoid “fuel geysers.”

QWR continues to believe the need for a trained professional volunteer workforce will continue to grow as federal agencies roll out new programs such as the Forest Service’s National Trail Strategy or face challenges such as recreation budget cutbacks or staffing shortages.

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Need for Trail Volunteer Workforce Continues to Grow

Clearing 50-inch OHV Trail

Mendocino NF

Between April 27-30, 2017, up to 4 trail clearing crews comprised of certified volunteer chainsaw operators,  other volunteers, and Forest Service recreation staff worked together to clear recreation trails and roads impacted by downed trees and/or overgrown vegetation. 

Private Sector/FS Trail Clearing Crew

The coordinated effort took place at the Stonyford OHV Area on the Grindstone Ranger District which is located on the Mendocino National Forest in Northern California.  This is part of the ongoing volunteer trail program managed by agency staff in cooperation with private sector recreation stakeholders.

Trying out the Kobalt 80 Volt Electric 14-Inch Chainsaw

 According to the agency, the south end of the Grindstone Ranger District offers over 200 miles of some of the most enjoyable and challenging OHV routes in the nation. The "Mendocino OHV Corridor" is a designated 40 mile, east-west route across the south end of the Forest connecting the Stonyford OHV Staging Area and the Upper Lake OHV Staging Area.

Before Brushing on Trail 20

The riding area varies in elevation from 1,700 feet (at Fouts Springs), to almost 6,000 feet (near Goat Mountain). Vegetation varies from low elevation chaparral to tall pine and fir forest in the high country.

After Brushing on Trail 20

The Grindstone Ranger District not only offers access to high quality OHV recreation, but its extensive route network provides motorized access to non-motorized activities such as equestrian use and hiking in various Wilderness areas, fishing in streams and lakes, and dispersed camping in the backcountry.

Clearing Log on Forest Road M10 for Motorized Access

to Non-Motorized Recreation

The Forest Service states it established a policy for training and use of cross-cut and chain saws. Sawyers covered by those policies often maintain trails on national forests and grasslands, help fight wildfires, and work in wilderness where crosscut saws are required. The national saw directive standardizes training, evaluation, certification, and safety procedures for sawyers operating on lands managed by the agency.

LINK TO FS NATIONAL SAW POLICY

https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies/saw-policy

Volunteers taking the chainsaw course need to become Red Cross certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED.  It is a requirement for chainsaw certification. QWR encourages trainees to take the course well ahead of the chainsaw class.

Monitoring Soil Catch Basins/Trail Conditions 

Example of Functioning Sediment Catch Basin and Rolling Dip

Managing sustainable OHV and other recreation programs on federal lands is a complex challenge in the 21st Century.  QWR believes the need for a trained professional volunteer workforce will continue to grow as federal agencies roll out new programs such as the Forest Service’s National Trail Strategy or face fiscal impacts such as budget cutbacks.

A Motorcycle-Based Chainsaw/Swamp Team

Steve Freitas/Valley Climbers MC (L) and Don Amador (R)

QWR wants to thank the Mendocino National Forest, Oakland Motorcycle Club, Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, Valley Climbers Motorcycle Club, and the other work party volunteers for their commitment to helping maintain access to high quality motorized and non-motorized recreation on public lands.

Forest Service Chainsaw Class - Important Training Tool for Trail Volunteers

Mendocino NF Chainsaw Class and Instructors

Managing sustainable OHV and other recreation programs on federal lands is a complex challenge in the 21^st Century.  Most successful programs have these common factors; appropriated funds, support from line-officers, dedicated recreation staff, supplemental monies from fee programs, state or other grants, and volunteers. 

QWR's Don Amador

 

For this article, QWR wants to focus on trail volunteers and their growing import in the aforementioned equation.   To bolster their volunteer workforce, the Mendocino National Forest recently held a chainsaw certification class for volunteers.

Blowdown on FS Motorcycle Trail

According to the agency, before Forest Service volunteers can operate a chain saw or a crosscut saw on a Forest Service project, they need to attend an official Forest Service training course on the safe and proper use of these saws.  The Forest Service has training courses specific to the use of saws for firefighting and for other purposes.  Usually, the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) course is the preferred crosscut and chainsaw class for non-fire personnel.   The operational and safety based training course for volunteers will help both experienced and inexperienced sawyers use chain saws and crosscut saws for limbing, bucking, brushing, and—to a limited degree—for felling smaller and less complex material.  Safety is the number one element emphasized in the chainsaw training.

Trail Crew Clearing Blowdown on FS 4wd, SxS, ATV, and MC Trail

The training is very comprehensive.  Topics include, but are not limited to: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), area size up, proper body positioning and stance,  familiarity with OSHA requirements and regulations, physics of “binds”,  physics of “kickback”, sawyer/swamper communication, cutting area control, danger tree awareness,  job hazard analysis and emergency evacuation plans,  Forest Service radio communication, radio procedures and how to use a Forest Service radio;  parts of the chainsaw,  how to sharpen chainsaw chain,  and saw maintenance;   and of course the inclusion of safe chainsaw handling, starting and stopping procedures, use of escape routes,  and field practice with limbing and bucking practicum.

LINK to FS Chainsaw Course (with volunteer section)

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/fire-aviation/management/?cid=stelprdb5366863

Bill Aaron, a Region 5 chainsaw instructor who taught our class, states, “Trail volunteers are an important part of the Forest Service trails system.  Without their assistance the upkeep and maintenance would be much more difficult, and they are an integral key in the trails program.”

Chainsaw and Rack on QWR's DRZ400 Trail Maint. Bike

The Forest Service also states that volunteers who have completed saw training successfully are usually certified at the "A”  or “B” level. The level of certification indicates the types of saw work, along with any restrictions, that the volunteer can perform.  The "A" level is considered “apprentice” and the "B level is considered “intermediate” with restrictions limiting them to limbing, brushing, and bucking.

After training is complete, a line officer (usually the district ranger or unit manager) issues the volunteer's saw qualification card. Saw training and recertification is required every 3 years.

Don Amador, QWR President, states, “A skilled trail volunteer workforce is a force-multiplier and they not only help keep trail clear of trees and other vegetation, but their donated hours can be used as a match for grants from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division.  Volunteers continue to be an important factor in the land-management equation.”

Chainsaw Certification Card

“I considered it a privilege to have been part of this chainsaw class where safety and proper cutting techniques were emphasized.  Recent wildfires at popular OHV areas such as Stonyford on the Mendocino National Forest and Hull Creek on the Stanislaus National Forest highlight the need for a skilled volunteer workforce,” Amador concludes.

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