Description
The Mid-South District will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Chainsaw training on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Faith Lutheran Church, 405 Sheila Dr, Hopkinsville, KY. The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated LERT volunteer’s capabilities to help those who haven’t the means or skills to perform this dangerous work following a disaster. The District wishes to equip LERT members with the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently. To operate a chainsaw during LERT deployments, all volunteers must have completed the LERT Basic Chainsaw Training. Please arrive by 7:45 a.m. so training can start promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Training will be led by LCMS Disaster Response LERT approved chainsaw instructor, Bryce Cramer.
You must have previously completed the LERT basic training class to participate in this class.
During the training, you will learn the following:
- Safe operation of a chainsaw
- Use and care of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Injury prevention
- How to buck and limb fallen trees
- How to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner
- those at the age of 16 - 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 classroom lecture. Any LERT qualified volunteer is invited to attend. This training will ensure they have the knowledge to work safely in the area of a chainsaw and to assist the chainsaw operator.
The afternoon session is hands-on with a chainsaw for those who wish to be able to operate a chainsaw. The morning session must be attended to participate in the afternoon session.
To be authorized to use a chainsaw on LERT disaster responses as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator, you must attend BOTH the classroom and "hands-on" sessions.
Afternoon hands-on participants should bring, if they have:
- Chainsaw, bar oil, fuel (gas/oil mix or synthetic fuel mix).
- Chainsaw chaps (UL listed) and other Personal Protective Equipment (helmet, eye protection, gloves, steel-toed boots)
- Participants must wear steel-toed, leather work boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed in 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 that are under the age of 18 will not be allowed to operate a chainsaw or pull materials away from the cutting areas.
Training Costs:
- $35.00 includes manual, instruction, snacks and lunch
- If paying with cash, please bring correct amount. If paying by check, make payable to Faith Lutheran Church
