Training in Virginia

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
Administrator
Spanish-language chainsaw and tree climbing safety seminar

The Mid-Atlantic chapter International Society of Arboriculture, Virginia Department of Forestry and the Virginia Cooperative Extension are offering Virginia's first-ever tree climbing and chainsaw safety program for Spanish language speakers.

"Having three strong educational groups co-sponsoring the event is a great partnership for a successful seminar," said Nancy Herwig, MAC-ISA executive director. "We're hoping to provide valuable information to a growing population of the green industry profession."

The two-day program will be held Aug. 25-26 at the Fairfax County Park Authority's Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

The focus of day one is tree climber safety, while chainsaw safety will be the focus on day two. Participants may register for either one or both days.

Funded by a grant from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, trainers from the Forest Industry Safety and Training Alliance will teach participants everything from tree climbing and safety techniques to aerial rescue procedures to chainsaw operation and tree felling - all in Spanish.

"This is a terrific opportunity to reach an important segment of our population with potentially life-saving information," said Paul Revell, urban and community forest program manager at VDOF. "The dangers associated with chainsaw operations and tree climbing are very real; so it's vital to be able to deliver a focused safety program in a person's native language."

Enrollment is limited to 50 people. Advanced registration is $30 per day for MAC-ISA members and $40 per day for non-members. Add $10 per day for walk-ins.

Registration fees include all training and lunch each day. Publications in Spanish will be for sale, along with free handouts.

For more information or to register, call (703) 753-0499 or e-mail macisa@erols.com. Registration forms are available at www.dof.virginia.gov.
 
I'm one of the "gringos" that did attend the second day session (felling & chainsaw safety). Was a little disappointed that the bulk of the presentation centered on logging activities. I'm guessing the U.S. Forest Service is paying the bill and... well.... the U.S. Forest Service never really has understood our industry. Two trees came down, both with plunge cuts and wedges. There was also no mention of the ANSI standards.

I was impressed with the attitudes of the spanish speakers. They were eager to learn and respectful of the speaker. IMO, they really do want to learn how to work properly and safely.

But overall, the setting was absolutely beautiful, the speakers were knowledgeable, the weather was great, the coffee was good... it well worth the price of admission. I strongly encourage others to attend.

I realize I may get shouted down for the following, but.... I think carving out a space on treebuzz for spanish speakers would be appropriate, prudent, and the right thing to do for our fellow arborists. We're either a brotherhood of arborists or not. I hope that we are.

Hasta Luego :-)
 

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