Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 165 Camden Woods Pkwy, Kingsland, GA 31548. Chainsaw training is offered to enhance the capabilities of LERT volunteers, enabling them to assist those who may lack the resources or skills to perform this hazardous work. The goal of this training is to ensure LERT members are properly prepared to serve safely and efficiently. 

 

Training topics include: chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), injury prevention, bucking and limbing fallen trees, and safe debris removal.

 

Prerequisite:

Participants must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training class.

 

When registering, choose one of two options:

1.  Morning Session Only (4 hours): LERT Chainsaw Safety

·      Classroom-based safety training only

·      Does not include hands-on chainsaw operation

·      Participants will learn how to work safely with and around chainsaw operations

·      Open to all LERT-qualified volunteers, even if they do not plan to operate a chainsaw

 

2. Morning + Afternoon Sessions (8 hours total): LERT Chainsaw Safety and Operator

·      Includes the morning classroom safety session and the afternoon hands-on training

·      Required for anyone who wants hands-on chainsaw operation training

·      Completion of both sessions is required to be authorized as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator for disaster response.

 

Age Requirements:

Anyone age 16 or older may attend.Participants ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw but may train and serve as draggers.

 

Safety Gear & Equipment (required for afternoon hands-on participants):

Chainsaw safety PPE: helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, and steel-toed bootsSteel-toed work boots are mandatory; tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are not permittedOutdoor work clothing appropriate for the weather; shorts are prohibitedParticipants should bring their own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if availableSome training chainsaws and PPE will be provided if needed

 

Training Costs:

Morning safety classroom only: $15/individual, $25/couple; add $5/family member (3+)Morning + Afternoon (Chainsaw Safety and Operator): $50/individual, $85/couple, $100/family (3+)Payment may be made by cash or check at the training, or credit card.Shirt, snacks, lunch, and beverages provided.

 

Contact Info:

Should you have any questions, please contact Joel Mathews at (813) 215-8098 or at jmathews@fgler.org. 

Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Chainsaw Training will begin with classroom training at Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, St. John, ND, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 27 and 28, 2026.  

Prerequisite:
Participants must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training class.

Registration will start at 4 PM on Wednesday, with class starting at 4:30 PM. 

The hands-on (field) training will run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Thursday.  You must be 18 years old and attend the classroom portion of the training on Wednesday to participate in the hands-on training on Thursday. Following the training, participants are encouraged to sign up for the chainsaw deployment at the camp.  

 

Chainsaw training is offered to enhance the capabilities of LERT volunteers, enabling them to assist individuals who may lack the resources or skills to undertake this hazardous work. The goal of this training is to ensure that LERT members are properly prepared to serve safely and effectively.

Training topics include chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), injury prevention, bucking, limbing, and felling trees, and safe debris removal.

Age Requirements:

Anyone age 16 or older may attend. Participants ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw but may train and serve as draggers.

Safety Gear & Equipment (required for hands-on participants):

Chainsaw safety PPE: helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, and steel-toed boots Steel-toed work boots are mandatory; tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are not permitted Outdoor work clothing appropriate for the weather; shorts are prohibited Participants should bring their own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if available Some training chainsaws and PPE will be provided if needed

Training Costs:

$30.00 per person

Contact Info:

If further information is needed, please contact Kirk Rosin at 701-361-6441 or e-mail krosin@juno.com.

Details

Volunteers should be between the ages of 16 and 90.

Is Not Family Friendly

Is Outdoors

Bring PPE

Wear steel-toed boot

Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Chainsaw Training will begin with classroom training at Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, St. John, ND, on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30, 2026.  

Prerequisite:
Participants must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training class.

Registration will start at 4 PM on Friday, with class starting at 4:30 PM. 

In the field training will run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday.  You must be 18 years old and attend the classroom portion of the training on Friday to participate in the hands-on training on Thursday. Following the training, participants are encouraged to sign up for the chainsaw deployment at the camp.  

Chainsaw training is offered to enhance the capabilities of LERT volunteers, enabling them to assist individuals who may lack the resources or skills to undertake this hazardous work. The goal of this training is to ensure that LERT members are properly prepared to serve safely and effectively.

Training topics include chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), injury prevention, bucking and limbing, trees, and safe debris removal.

Age Requirements:

Anyone age 16 or older may attend. Participants ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw but may train and serve as draggers.

Safety Gear & Equipment (required for hands-on participants):

Chainsaw safety PPE: helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, and steel-toed boots Steel-toed work boots are mandatory; tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops are not permitted Outdoor work clothing appropriate for the weather; shorts are prohibited Participants should bring their own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if available Some training chainsaws and PPE will be provided if needed

Training Costs:

$30.00 per person

Contact Info:

If further information is needed, please contact Kirk Rosin at 701-361-6441 or e-mail krosin@juno.com.

Details

Volunteers should be between the ages of 16 and 90.

Is Not Family Friendly

Is Outdoors

Bring PPE

Wear steel-toed boots

A Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Basic Chainsaw training class will be held on May 29 – 30, 2026.

 

The classroom safety portion of the chainsaw training will be held on Friday from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

705 E Southway Blvd

Kokomo, IN 46902

 

The hands-on portion will take place Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at [LOCATION TBD] and will include tree felling. You must be 18 years or older.

Attendance at the Friday safety session is required to participate in Saturday’s hands-on training.

 

This training equips LERT volunteers to safely assist individuals who may not have the resources or ability to perform hazardous chainsaw work. The goal is to ensure all participants are prepared to serve safely and effectively. 

 

Training Topics

Chainsaw safety Personal protective equipment (PPE) Injury prevention Bucking and limbing Safe debris removal

 

Prerequisite:

Completion of Basic LERT Training 

 

Registration Options:

 

1. Morning Session Only (4 hours): LERT Chainsaw Safety

Classroom-based safety training only No hands-on chainsaw operation Focus on working safely in and around chainsaw operations Open to all LERT-qualified volunteers, even if they do not plan to operate a chainsaw.

 

2. Full Training (8 hours): LERT Chainsaw Safety + Operator

Includes classroom safety session and hands-on training Required for those seeking hands-on chainsaw operation training Completion of both sessions is required to be recognized as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator for disaster response

 

Age Requirements

Ages 16+ may attend Ages 16–17 may not operate a chainsaw, but may assist as draggers

 

Chainsaw Safety Gear & Equipment

(Required for hands-on participants)

Helmet, eye protection, gloves, chaps, steel-toed boots Steel-toed boots are required (no tennis shoes or open-toed footwear) Long pants required (no shorts) Weather-appropriate outdoor work clothing Bring your own chainsaw, bar oil, and fuel mix if available Limited PPE and saws will be available if needed

 

Training Costs

Classroom only: $15 per person Full training: No additional fee.  Payment: cash or check on the day of training.   Includes shirt, snacks, lunch, and beverages

Contact Info:

Greg Kuhlman at Gckuhlman@gmal.com or (765) 432-0548.

Basic LERT Chainsaw Training will take place on Saturday, June 27 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Conover, NC from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Classroom training will be at St. Peter's Lutheran with field training to follow at a private residence. This training is intended to increase LERT volunteer’s skills, knowledge and safety in chainsaw operation so they can provide a critical service to those who do not have the skills or means to perform this dangerous work following a disaster.

This class is limited to 12 participants as their will be 2 LERT Chainsaw Instructors onsite. Cost for class is $35.00. Lunch will be provided. Checks may be made payable to Shepherd's Heart Ministry. Please note on the check that this is for Chainsaw training.

During the training, participants will learn:

Safe operation of a chainsaw and pole saw Personal protective equipment (PPE) Injury preventionHow to buck and limb storm damaged trees How to properly clear debris in safe and beneficial manner and Proper saw maintenance. 

To be an authorized LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator and use a chainsaw on LERT disaster responses sites, you must attend BOTH the morning classroom and afternoon "hands-on" sessions.  

ALL REGISTRATION IS ONLINE at at www.lcms-lert.org.

Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Tampa FL is sponsoring a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) BASIC CHAINSAW TRAINING on Saturday, June 27, 2026.  This training is intended to increase LERT volunteer’s skills, knowledge and safety in chainsaw operation so they can provide a critical service to those who do not have the skills or means to perform this dangerous work following a disaster.  The training is  for those who want to operate a chainsaw on aLERT event.  It is being held at:

Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 16190 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647  (Building 3)

Participants may arrive at the site at 7:30 a.m. to register.  Class will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m.  Your LERT Trainer will distribute all material for, and after, the class.

You must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training Class to participate in this class.  

During the morning classroom training, participants will learn:

Safe operation of a chainsawPersonal protective equipment (PPE)Injury preventionHow to buck and limb storm-damaged treesHow to properly clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner andProper saw maintenance

The afternoon session is hands-on training in field chainsaw operation, where participants will learn and demonstrate chainsaw skills.  This training is limited to 10 participants.

To be an authorized LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator and use a chainsaw on LERT disaster response sites, you must attend BOTH the morning classroom and afternoon "hands-on" sessions.  

Class registration must be made at www.lcms-lert.org

Cost of Training: 

Registration (includes training, lunch and snacks) -- $50. (Couples: $85) Pay at the time of training; Checks payable to “Family of Christ Lutheran Church – LERT” or pay online at FGLER.org

Participants should bring (if you have them):

Chainsaw, bar oil, gas/oil or synthetic fuel mix.Chaps and other Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, eye protection, ear protectors, gloves, and steel-toe boots).Participants must wear steel-toed boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed in the afternoon field session.Outdoor work clothes and boots appropriate for the weather at the time. Shorts are not allowed.

LCMS LERT Chainsaw Trainer Joel Mathews will lead the training event. If more information is needed, contact the site coordinator, Donnie Moore,  dmoore@familyofchrist.org,  615-981-1162 (Cell / Text)

Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Tampa FL is sponsoring a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) BASIC CHAINSAW TRAINING for non-operators on Saturday, June 27, 2026.  The training is for those who want to know how to work within a chainsaw team, how to be safe working around them, and general information (but not operate a chainsaw).  Open to anyone age 16 and up. Maximum of 30.  It is being held at:

Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 16190 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647  (Building 3)

Participants may arrive at the site at 7:30 a.m. to register.  Class will begin promptly at 8:00 am and conclude at 12:00 pm(Noon).  Your LERT Trainer will distribute all material for, and after, the class.

You must have previously completed the LERT Basic Training Class to participate in this class.  

During the morning classroom training, participants will learn:

Safe operation of a chainsawPersonal protective equipment (PPE)Injury preventionHow to buck and limb storm damaged treesHow to properly clear debris in safe and beneficial manner andProper saw maintenance

This training is limited to 30 participants.

Class registration must be made at www.lcms-lert.org/need

Cost of Training: 

Registration (includes training, lunch and snacks) -- $15. Pay at the time of training; checks payable to “Family of Christ Lutheran Church – LERT” or pay online at FGLER.org

LCMS LERT Chainsaw Trainer Joel Mathews will lead the training event. If more information is needed, contact the site coordinator, Donnie Moore,  dmoore@familyofchrist.org,  615-981-1162 (Cell / Text)

The Mid-South District will provide LERT Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Belvoir Christian Academy, 800 Belvoir Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37412.  Chainsaw training strengthens our LERT volunteers' ability to help people who lack the means or skills to perform this dangerous work after a disaster. The District wants to equip LERT members with the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently.

Snack and lunch will be provided.  Bottled water will be furnished at the site.

You must have previously completed the Basic LERT Training class to participate in LERT chainsaw training. If you haven't, please register for the Basic LERT training on 6/26/2026.  

During the training, you will learn the following:

Safe operation of a chainsaw Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Injury Prevention How to buck and limb fallen trees How to clear debris in a safe and efficient manner

Those ages 14-17 may attend the classroom portion and become a dragger, but will not be able to become a puller or chainsaw operator until they have reached the age of 18.

The morning session is a classroom lecture.  All LERT qualified volunteers are invited to attend.  The afternoon session is hands-on with a chainsaw.  The morning session MUST be attended to participate in the afternoon (operations) session.  To be authorized to use a chainsaw on LERT disaster responses as an LCMS Chainsaw Operator, you MUST attend BOTH the classroom and hands-on sessions. LERT Trainer will distribute all class materials.

Afternoon hands-on participants should bring, if they have: chainsaw, bar oil, gas/oil or synthetic fuel mix, chaps and Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, eye protection, gloves, and steel-toed work boots).

Participants must wear steel-toed work boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed during the afternoon session. Outdoor work clothes and boots appropriate for the weather at the time.  Shorts are not allowed.

Some 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 or work near saw operations.

Training costs: 

Morning and afternoon (LERT Qualified Chainsaw Operator) - $50.00  Non-operator (Safety portion of the class) - $15.00  Pay at the time of training.  Cash in the appropriate amount and checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church - memo line: chainsaw training. 

Class capacity is 15.

Should you have any questions, please contact the chainsaw trainer Rev. Trae Fistler at 515-571-1378 or traefistler@gmail.com.