Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

Through the LERT program, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church is helping a local disabled veteran regain access to his own backyard. Our dedicated volunteers will construct a new deck with stairs and handrails, creating a safe and accessible space for him to eventually enjoy a fire pit. Additionally, we are trimming back hazardous tree limbs over his roof to prevent costly storm damage.

Lunch, snacks & water will be provided.

We will be meeting at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on June 2 @ 8:00 am for carpooling or a caravan to his home in Bartlesville, OK.

The Oklahoma District will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Intermediate Chainsaw training on Saturday, June 20. The chainsaw training increases our dedicated LERT volunteers' capabilities to help those who don’t have the means or skills to perform this dangerous work after a disaster. The District wants to equip LERT members to provide this service safely and efficiently.

This training consists of two parts: a morning classroom session and an afternoon hands-on session outdoors.

The morning classroom session will be a lecture-style class held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 724 N 52nd W Ave, Skiatook, OK.

All LERT chainsaw-trained volunteers are invited to attend. Please arrive by 7:30 a.m. to complete registration and to receive class material. The morning session will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. This session will include a review of previously learned skills, including PPE and chainsaw safety. In addition, students will develop skills for safely felling a tree and for redirecting a lean with ropes and associated knots.

The afternoon session is hands-on and involves using a chainsaw. Those wishing to participate in the hands-on training must attend the morning classroom session. The afternoon session will be held outdoors from Noon to 4:00 p.m. (or later if needed) at a private residence. The address will be provided at the morning session. You must have previously completed the LERT basic chainsaw training class and the morning classroom session to participate in the hands-on section of this class. 

To be authorized to use a chainsaw on LERT disaster responses as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Intermediate Operator, you must attend BOTH the classroom and "hands-on" sessions. Participants must bring their Basic Chainsaw manual, chaps and other Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, eye protection, gloves, steel-toed boots). Participants must wear steel-toed work boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed in the outdoor session. Outdoor work clothes and boots should be appropriate for the weather at the time. Shorts are not allowed. Manuals, chainsaws and PPE will be available for training if you do not have your own.  Those who are under the age of 18 will not be allowed to operate a chainsaw. 

During the training, you will learn the following: 

Felling a Tree5-Point Felling PlanLays and LeansHazards and ObstaclesEscape RoutesNotch and HingeBack Cuts

Training Costs: 

For morning and afternoon sessions (LERT-trained Chainsaw Operators): $35.00Pay at the time of training, checks should be made out to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (LERT Check Memo).

A lunch will be provided before the afternoon session.

Please contact Denny Rader if you have any questions about the training.

Email: okdrfom@gmail.com. Cell phone: (918) 946-7961