Trail School - Developing Thinking Sawyers, USFS Chainsaw Safety Course
PRE-REQUISITES! You must be an active member of a volunteer group working on National Forest land or an employee of USFS, National Parks, State Parks to take this course. It is designed for volunteers and employees who can proceed to obtain their USFS Saw Card. Upon registering, you will need to provide the volunteer organization along with your volunteer coordinator's name and phone number/email. If you are an in-active member of a volunteer group, please contact your Coordinator prior to registering and get their approval. (See detailed info about obtaining a Saw Card at bottom of this description)
SAW Experience: This course is designed to train sawyers who will be working/volunteering on National Forest land. At this time, it is not set up for beginner sawyers with little experience cutting. Beginner sawyers who attend the class may not be recommended for a Saw Card. You will become a safer Sawyer, and with practice of the techniques instructed can return for later evaluation.
Course Description: The Developing Thinking Sawyers is a program of the USDA and US Forest Service designed to train people to be safer sawyers. This certification is required for any volunteers working with recognized volunteer organizations in partnership with the US Forest Service. The class can be taken by anyone wanting to learn safe saw operations. This class begins with classroom learning to set the stage for field experience. After completing the Thinking SawyerCurriculum, students will complete practical exercises in the field. Use of chainsaws and proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is required.
Day 1: Morning - MTCC Campus: Classroom sessions and Afternoon - Camp Grier: Field saw operations
Day 2: USFS NF: Field saw operations and evaluations
What do I need to bring? (we have some saws, PPE, gas/oil mix and bar oil are available, however students taking this course are expected to own the following as most volunteer organizations do not lend out chainsaws)
- Chainsaw with functioning chain brake and chain catcher Helmet (6-point hard hat or forestry climbing helmet)
- Chaps (UL Listed)
- Eye Protection
- Hearing Protection
- Long Pants
- Long Sleeve shirt
- Boots that cover your ankles
- Gas/Oil mix and Bar oil for your saw Water (3 Liters minimum for full day in the field)
- Snacks Lunch (short 30 min lunch will be taken in the field in order to maximize field operations time)
- Notebook and Pen or Pencil
- Recommended: Scrench, Felling Wedge (1 or 2), Hand Axe (for placing wedges)
- Recommended: Valid First Aid/CPR card (you cannot submit for your Sawyer Card or use your Sawyer Card without this!)
Getting your Saw Card: *. The National Sawyer Database is maintained by Rangers of the US Forest Service. In order to obtain a Sawyer Card, students must do the following: *. Talk with your volunteer organization and ask to be sponsored for the Sawyer Certification *. Sign up for a Developing Thinking Sawyer Class, attend the class and complete the evaluation *. Complete a Nationally recognized First Aid and CPR certification (must have valid First Aid/CPR to obtain and use Sawyer Card) *. Submit your Thinking Sawyer certificate and evaluation along with First Aid/CPR to your organization's Volunteer Coordinator *. Volunteer Coordinator will submit to your local Ranger Sawyer cards are distributed via email
Choose your dates
Weekend Classes (Sat/Sun):
- December 14-15, 2024
- January 11-12, 2025
- February 8-9, 2025
Weekday Classes (Thurs/Fri):
- December 19-20, 2024
- January 16-17, 2025
- February 20-21, 2025
Times: 8am – 5pm
Length of Class: 2 Day class (18 hrs)
Total Cost: $71.30 Tuition
Location: Oldfort Campus of McDowell Tech 49 E Main St Oldfort, NC 28762
Field Site: USFS, Meadow's Loop, Gateway Trails, Curtis Creek Road Instructors
Click the link below to register: