Improve your chainsaw skills. Class adjusted for beginners to those with more experience; there is always room to advance your skills! A comprehensive course designed around chainsaw use. This course will focus on a safety plan, PPE, reduced down time (maintenance), cutting plans, and tactics.

Work with our well-reviewed instructor Derek “Bo” Cook, a Lieutenant with Beckley Fire Department, who has worked with chainsaws for decades and has experience with downing trees and handling downed trees. The course lessons provide introduction to the function, maintenance and use of the tool. It provides an overview of how to approach the situation using a five part plan to ensure safety and efficiency. Combination of classroom learning with hands-on practice. Course objectives include planning an operation, knowledge of tool, knowledge of compression, lean, predicting movement, and safe operations. There will be hands-on work. All safety gear and equipment will be provided. 

***Students can bring their own safety gear for use after it has been inspected and approved by the instructor

All participants must be 18 or older.

Target audience: forestry, landscaping, arborists, those who work with trees, fire fighters who work with downed trees

Class size: 10 (can be larger but will require second instructor)

Instructor: Bo Cook, LT Beckley Fire Department, Instructor WVPST

Bo is a seasoned fire service professional with over twenty years of chainsaw operations and training in rescue, wildland, structural, and forestry applications. Focused on safety in high-risk environments often encountered by first responders, he has a passion for relaying his experiences and training to ensure that everyone goes home safe. He wants to empower students to return to their organization with the practical training to implement a culture of safety and risk management tailored to their needs. 

In addition to his work as a chainsaw instructor, he remains an active member of the fire service. He is committed to using his continued opportunities and experience to further education and safety in chainsaw operations.  

Certifications:

NWCG S212 Chainsaw operations

NWCG Type 2 Faller 

NWCG Fireline EMT

NWCG ICT 5

NWCG FFT Type 1

Legacy Chainsaw Instructor

National Register EMT

Wilderness EMT

Target audience: firefighters and other first responders, including power line companies that deal with downed trees