The Missouri District will provide Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, June 21, 2025. 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 wants to equip LERT members with the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently.
Housing will be available on a first come first serve basis. The Seminary has five 2 bedroom apartments reserved for our use. Please contact Kris Schuldt if you need this housing.
The morning session will be held in a classroom in Concordia Seminary.
The morning/afternoon session will be held on the campus of Concordia Seminary. Snack and lunch provided. Bottled water will be furnished at the site.
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
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Injury prevention
- How to buck and limb fallen trees
- How to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner
- Those age of 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 classroom lecture. All LERT qualified volunteers are invited to attend.
The afternoon session is hands-on with a saw. The morning session must be attended to participate.
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, gas-oil or synthetic fuel mix
- 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 afternoon session.
- Outdoor work clothes and boots appropriate for the weather at the time. Shorts 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 work near saw operations.
Training Costs:
- Morning and Afternoon (LERT qualified Chainsaw Operator) - $50.
- Morning Only (Non-Operator) - $15.
- Pay at the time of training. Cash, checks (payable to "Immanuel Lutheran Church".
Should you have any questions, please contact Kris Schuldt 314-971-5747 or pitchatent@centurytel.net.
