Chainsaw Training with Peter Jensen (French Creek)

US Forest Service certified C-Sawyer Evaluators Peter Jensen and Carl Demrow of Peter S. Jensen & Associates LLC will join us for a two-day classroom and hands-on chainsaw training course designed specifically for volunteers. The focus of the course is not on felling trees but on removing them from trails and other obstructed areas. 

Some of the topics to be covered include: job hazards, emergency preparedness, sawyer/swamper relations, situational awareness, personal protective equipment, proper handling and starting techniques, basic saw maintenance, cutting plans [objectives, hazard ID, log analysis, escape options, cuts (types of bucking cuts)], dealing with spring poles, and field scenarios. Handouts will be provided. 

At the conclusion of the course, all sawyers will be evaluated in the field on the skills learned during the training and receive a certification - good for three years - as either A or B level sawyers (to be explained more fully during the course). 

Day 1 begins at 8:30 AM (plan to arrive between 8:00 and 8:15) and continues until 4:30 or 5:00 PM. Day 2 begins at 8:30 AM and continues until 4:00 or 4:30 PM. There will be a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break and a 30-minute break for lunch.

PPFF is unable to offer either meals or accommodations. Arrangements for these must be made on your own.  

Attendance is limited to the first 16 registrants. A non-sawyer swamper assistant may attend at no charge. We will limit registration to four swampers per workshop.

If you own a chainsaw and safety equipment, please do plan to bring it with you. Evaluating your equipment for safety and usefulness will be a part of the workshop. Peter and Carl have additional saws, etc.

The nearest motels are in Morgantown, Exit 298 from the PA Turnpike, about 15 minutes from the park. 

Holiday Inn: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/morgantown/mgnpa/hoteldetail

USA Inn & Suites: https://usainnandsuites.com

And, of course, there is a campground at French Creek: https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do

PLEASE NOTE: Registration does require payment by credit card. Since this is an appropriate chapter expenditure you may submit your receipt to the chapter for reimbursement out of funds held in your PPFF account.

Registration is non-refundable but is transferrable. If you find you cannot make the date for which you register, feel free to find someone to take your place. The per person cost for the workshop is $300; PPFF is subsidizing $225/person of that cost so we do not want any empty slots!