Basic LERT Chainsaw Training will take place on Thursday, February 5 and 7 at the 2026 Disaster Response Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. Participants who desire to be listed as Chainsaw Trained must complete the 2 on-site classes (Thursday) and the field training on Saturday. This training is intended to enhance LERT volunteers’ skills, knowledge and safety in chainsaw operation so they can provide a critical service to those who lack the skills or means to perform this dangerous work after a disaster.
You must have previously completed the LERT Basic
Training Class to participate in this class.
During the training, participants will learn:
- Safe operation of a chainsaw and pole saw
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Injury prevention
- Principles of felling trees
- How to buck and limb storm-damaged trees
- How to properly clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner and
- Proper saw maintenance.
This is a 2-part session: Thursday, 11:05-12:30, and part 2: 2:20-3:50
The fieldwork takes place on Saturday from 8:30 to noon. Directions for the field work location will be available at conference registration.
To be an authorized LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator and use a chainsaw on LERT disaster response sites, you must attend BOTH the classroom sessions and the Saturday field work session.
ALL REGISTRATION IS ONLINE at www.lcms-lert.org.
Classroom teacher: David Hedrick, on-site trainers: Mark Moretz, David Critchley, David Hedrick, Marty Johnson, Joel Mathews.
