The Southern District will provide LERT Basic Chainsaw training on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church 3321 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, AL 35801. The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated LERT volunteer's capabilities to help those who haven't the means or the 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.
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.
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 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). The trainer will bring a limited amount of chainsaws and PPE should any attendees need to borrow them.
Participants must wear steel-toed work boots. Tennis shoes or sandals/flip flops are not allowed in the afternoon session. Please wear outdoor work clothes appropriate for the weather.
Those that are under the age of 18 will not be allowed to operate a chainsaw or be 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 Grace Lutheran Church - memo line: chainsaw training.
Class capacity is 10.
