This announcement is to alert all current volunteers in Missouri and surrounding states about planned and in the works training and deployment opportunities.
Training: We currently have 4 Basic LERT classes scheduled and in the system. We are also preparing 2 additional Basic LERT classes that will be posted soon. In addition, we are in the process of preparing and scheduling 2 Chainsaw classes and have not arrived on dates yet. And we are discussing scheduling an intermediate Chainsaw class for possibly late summer or early fall.
Deployments: We currently have 1 deployment in Arnold on June 7th to pick up brush. In the works: we have 20 large trees down on a property near Monet and 2 more trees down near Aurora from a recent tornado. We have 7 trees to fell, limb and buck at Saxon Lutheran Memorial after their recent fire. And we have 5 properties in the St. Charles county area that each has a tree to fell, limb and buck. All of the potential tree deployments are in the works for scheduling, securing housing and meals. Please continue to check the LCMS-LERT.org web site to consider which deployments are near you and if you are available and can help. All of these potential chainsaw deployments are moving targets and may change as I visit each of the sites.
Saxon Lutheran Memorial Deployment: Due to the recent fire that eliminated the visitor center and the bathrooms Saxon has had to reprioritize the projects that we are helping them with. The anticipated deployment will be a week long event in the middle of June. Housing will likely be available at the Trinity gym in Altenburg, 4 RV sites, several nearby B&Bs and local hotels in Perryville. When I post the deployment I hope to have all of the details confirmed. For now, the tasks will require LERT chainsaw operators, LERT volunteers to drag and stack limbs, carpentry work, pressure washing work, moving glass cases out of the carpentry shop, moving wooden planks, checking old log cabin logs for termite damage and then sawing them into more usable pieces, concrete stamping, building a small temporary stage by the pond, and possibly helping to build a small new 15' by 20' cabin like structure to house new bathrooms. I haven't worked out meals yet so if anyone would like to volunteer to handle all of the meals for the crews please contact Kris Schuldt 314-971-5747.
If you have any questions about any of the above training and deployments or would like to specifically sign up for a task please send me an email with your questions to pitchatent@centurytel.net.
