The Iowa District - East (IDE), in partnership with Mercy in Action Disaster Resources (based out of Tampa, FL) will provide LERT chainsaw team training on 5/22/2021. The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated LERT volunteers’ capabilities and give them added capacity to extend mercy from the congregation to those who haven’t the means or skills to perform this dangerous work in their communities. 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
- physics of cutting trees
- how to buck and limb fallen trees
- how to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner
When you sign up, select ONE of the shifts for your desired level of training:
- Morning AND afternoon (8 hrs) - LERT Chainsaw Operator ($35)
- Morning ONLY (4 hrs) - LERT chainsaw team member (no cutting) ($15)
The morning session is classroom lecture. All LERT qualified volunteers are invited to attend.
To be authorized to use a chainsaw on LERT disaster responses as an LCMS LERT Chainsaw Operator, volunteers must also attend the afternoon "hands-on" session. Afternoon participants should bring (if they have it) chainsaw PPE (helmet, eye protection, chaps, gloves, steel-toed boots) and a properly operating chainsaw. Shorts, tennis shoes, or sandals/flip-flops are not allowed in the afternoon session. Participants must wear steel-toed work boots.
Training Costs: Morning classroom only (Work on LERT chainsaw team but not as chainsaw operator) - $15. Morning and Afternoon (LERT qualified Chainsaw Operator) - $35.
Please contact your DDRC, Daniel Sanchez, or Joel Mathews (Mercy in Action) for further information if needed.
