Sawyers and Swampers
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All sawyers must have a current USFS Certification. FInd out more about how to become certified and what the job requires by reading this page. All sawyers must have at least two people participating in any sawing trip. The second person can be another sawyer or a swamper (someone who assists the sawyer - see below).
All sawyers and swampers are welcome to join this group. Trail Chairs, Supervisors and Crew Leaders are also welcome to join the group to get sawyer assistence on their projects and trail maintenance responsibilities.
- You must be registered on the website.
- Click here to join the group
- There is also a List Server which provides a two-way forum for communicating with other sawyers and for posting of specific tree removal needs. tc-sawyers@googlegroups.com
There is a volunteer committee, Estelle Anderson(chair), Walt Daniels, David Day, Bob Jonas, Joel Pinsker, Chris Reyling, Jack Shuart, TBD (staff), that manages the sawyer program, including scheduling training opportunities. To get training, talk to the Trail Chair of the region you want to work in to get on the list for the next available training session.
Sawyer's Resources
- Find a Sawyer
- Job descriptions
- Sawyer - someone who is currently USFS certified (recert every3 years) for chainsaw or crosscut, and has current First Aid (recert 2 years) and CPR (recert 1 year).
- Swamper - anyone assisting a sawyer (may be another sawyer)
- Worksite procedures
- Appalachian Trail and Catskills exceptions
- Classes
- Intro for Sawyers and Swampers
- Sawyer and Swamper Field Workshop
- USFS Sawyer Certification
- USFS Saw Policy 2016
- Saw operations guide 2016
- Chain Saw and Crosscut Saw Training Course USFS (Instructors Guide) 2006
- First Aid
- CPR - don't let it run out after 1 year - go to any Red Cross office and get a quicky recert.
- Tools
- Saw recommendations (and suppliers)
- First Aid Kits (and content recommendations)
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
- Signalling devices
- AED
- Reimbursement policy (and what TC will supply)
- Report forms
- Trail Management Guide
- ATC resources
- Best practices
- Hazard Trees
Sawyer Committee
There is a committee working on refining our chainsaw policy. The material here, other than the existing policy, is draft and subject to change. Help the committee by talking to one of the committee members. Estelle Anderson(chair), Walt Daniels, Andrew Argeski, David Day, Bob Jonas, Joel Pinsker, Chris Reyling, Jack Shuart, Pete Zuroff, TBD (staff),
The material currently is existing practice and only a framework for an approved policy.
- Sawyers Committee Charter (draft for Policy Council review)
- Policy 2013