ERT Sawyer Class
August 4th, 2009
In order to ready ALERT responders for future disaster relief, their second week in ERT is Sawyer class.
Under the instruction of Sgt. Jonathan Archibald, the men learned skills in chainsaw operation, maintenance, and safety.
Classroom sessions were accompanied by time spent in the field, putting the concepts to practice and refining technique.
Given the shifting weight and complicated dynamics often present with storm blown trees, a major area of practice is learning to read and work around the areas of tension and compression that can easily bind up chainsaws.
Use of safety equipment including chaps, helmet, eye and ear protection was stressed so that maximum safety can be maintained in potentially hazardous environments.
Once the groundwork has been practiced, men progress to felling standing trees. Learning to drop a standing tree in an accurate and controlled manner allows them to be confident in more complex disaster areas.
