Pretty cool Bob.

I wonder if you'll have everyone ready for Saw Certification.

You will like having a saw vise. It makes things more comfortable. When I was stuck at Clackamas Lake tending the rental I found filing outside kinda nice for seeing the points real good.

Never got a decent swage. Broke some tho.

D.

The class for chainsaw/crosscut saw certification was full before "we" were invited! Eventough this would have been my 5th year volunteering, I wasn't notified until the week before the class was scheduled. Sorry to say the class got filled up before I could even apply, mostly by horse people who work on the PCT(Pacific Crest Trail). Nothing against people who ride horses, for I did so for a dozen years or so. So as far as I know there is only one person who can use a chainsaw or a crosscut saw in our district to clear trails. Man is he going to be busy.

As is the case, if you are not with a large group of volunteers with a banner or national cause, you get shuffled off to the side by the FS. How long do "we" who do the majority of the work on the trails in our district have to set back and watch those who do a miminal amount of work take all the credit. I just want to be given the same amount of respect as the other group of volunteers.  If the FS is planninig for a chainsaw/crosscut saw class in our distrist, wouldn't they make sure they invited all those who do the work in their district, and especially those who do the majority of the work. I guess I don't see the "bigger picture".

Don

How does the certification process work?  Do you only get certified for a year? What does certification allow you to do that you aren't allowed to without it?

You must be certified with the FS to use a chainsaw and or crosscut saw to clear trails. It is usually a one day class, but sometimes it gets split into a couple of days. Half of the class is indoors going over the use of PPE (personal protective equipment), situation awareness, and the mechanics or physical properties of the logs you are trying to cut. The other half of the class is outdoors cutting logs with your chainsaw  or crosscut saw using the knowledge you just learned or have being using for years. This year I am told, you have to also be First Aid and CPR certified to use a chainsaw/crosscut saw. In the past, you could use handtools without certification, but that may have changed too.

If you want to do more than just thowing off limbs or rocks as you hike a trail, you should become a registered volunteer with the FS which covers you with their insurance should you get hurt working on trails. It also allows them to keep track of the number of volunteer hours doing trail work in our district. There are other benefits for registered volunteers: an annual Northwest Forest Pass, after 20 hours volunteer work, I believe; the use of their handtools; sometimes  the more frequent volunteers even got paid for mileage when their budget has allowed it.

Hopefully there will be another scheduled chainsaw/crosscut class so those who missed the earlier one, or weren't able to signup because the class was already full, can be certified to clear trails in our district.

Don