NEW! Volunteer Chainsaw Thread

[exCanuck]

This thread has taken an unfortunate turn: more like ‘the other site’.

I take the blame for the unintentional thread de-rail, it was meant more as a joke than anything (hence the grumbly face) and should not disuade anyone from helping their neighbor.

Or was @Philbert referring to my JOKE misquoting a famous movie quote, "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges." If so, I am sorry. Of course permits are necessary wherever permits are necessary.

 

[dougie]

Just working to get back active on here since I moved to a house where I have no wood heat option I fell out of touch. Been around since back in 09 AS to SawHawgz to here


Saw in FB group someone talking about saw volunteering, mentioned an org name. When I went back to get it, the post was deleted.

After the ch!t KY went through in Mayfield in 22 and the floods in E-KY in the spring and still having memories of the '09 ice storm where folks ended up being trapped in their rural neighborhoods for months by downed trees... This is something I could get behind at least locally.

The ice storms is what got me into chainsaws as I had a W. Germany 038 mag, but it was heavy. Wanted a lighter saw ended up w/ a 361, started searching saw related stuff found muffler mods and AS and the CAD took over. We cut every weekend from Feb - April clearing the trails on our property. Myself and 2-3 others cutting and my pop on a tractor just pushing the trees out of the trails - that 1/2" of ice was devastating.

dw

 

[Seachaser]

Working for the power company, personally i wish the storm clean up volunteers just stayed home and outta the way.

I wish the power company people here would use chainsaws. Last two times I had to cut them a path. They did zero help except to reconnect the wires.

 

[Dustin4185]

Do you offer a pathway for the S212 course? Here, it’s only offered for wildland firefighters. I have heard of some organizations sponsoring it for other volunteers.

I have attended USFS chainsaw training for trail maintenance volunteers, that was limited to bucking and limbing: no felling. Also, some crosscut saw training for the same, which was very interesting.

Philbert

I know in TN, it’s almost impossible to get outside being a .gov employee or student. I know some college students that have gotten it for course work, but once they are done with school, they can’t get recerted. I’ve kept my S212 up to date wether I use it or not.

 

[Philbert]

I have heard of some trail maintenance groups, that had qualified, S212 instructors, but don’t have the specifics.

Philbert

 

[Dustin4185]

I help out with a firewood ministry and our church does some cleanup local. I want to get involved in bigger, more organized groups, but I always get pissed and don’t go back, lol. Our church went down to Louisiana and did some storm cleanup, and I wasn’t sure about going. We had just switched to that one. We went back two summers ago and I cut several trees then and the kids pulled brush. I’ve helped on a few for work, but usually when we have a major weather event, I have my own mess to deal with. I got a call today from our pastor that there is some local needs for both firewood and cleanup after this snow came through. We have talked about starting a firewood ministry at church, but we haven’t got organized yet.

 

[Philbert]

I help out with a firewood ministry and our church does some cleanup local. I want to get involved in bigger, more organized groups, but I always get pissed and don’t go back, lol.

When you are volunteering, it is important that you get along with your fellow volunteers.

Not getting paid $. So, it’s all about satisfaction, accomplishment, fellowship/camaraderie, etc.

Sometimes personalities don’t mesh. Even in larger organizations, there are folks I look forward to working with, and those I avoid.

Philbert

 

[full chizel]

I wish the power company people here would use chainsaws. Last two times I had to cut them a path. They did zero help except to reconnect the wires.

Thats all they have to do. We have contract companies that do that and line clearance. No reason for us to.

 

[Philbert]

That’s one of the keys of working in a disaster zone: lots of people have to work together.

Government (local, state and/or tribal, federal); law enforcement (sometimes National Guard); utilities, Public Works; search & rescue; tree workers; emergency repairs (Core of Engineers’ contractors); social welfare (Red Cross, etc.); damage assessment and insurance; residents; . . .

That is why Emergency Managers are often more comfortable working with established volunteer groups, versus ‘spontaneous, unaffiliated, volunteers’ (SUVs), even if well intentioned.

Philbert

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

That’s one of the keys of working in a disaster zone: lots of people have to work together.

Government (local, state and/or tribal, federal); law enforcement (sometimes National Guard); utilities, Public Works; search & rescue; tree workers; emergency repairs (Core of Engineers’ contractors); social welfare (Red Cross, etc.); damage assessment and insurance; residents; . . .

That is why Emergency Managers are often more comfortable working with established volunteer groups, versus ‘spontaneous, unaffiliated, volunteers’ (SUVs), even if well intentioned.

Philbert

As I start to go through the course work I'm understanding why they have the standards they have, and in concept they seem reasonable.