Apply on-line now for Colorado Firecamp's upcoming S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws classes:

• March 7-10, 2024
  
• April 11-14, 2024
• May 2-5, 2024
• May 30-June 2, 2024
• June 20-23, 2024
• July 11-14, 2024
• August 1-4, 2024
• August 22-25, 2024
  

Cost: $750 includes tuition, books, meals & lodging.

What to Bring to Class

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

MTDC Chain Saw Training

Felling Boss Training

Little Grass Valley Tree Felling Accident FLA — August, 2009

Freeman Reservoir tree felling fatality, 72-hour report & OSHA citation — June, 2009

Storm Mountain Ranch tree felling accident, OSHA citation — May, 2009

Andrew Palmer Fatality, Dutch Creek Incident, — June, 2008

• Appendix C, Chain Saw Technical Report
• Assessment of Accident Site
• Findings
• Policy
• Glossary
• Human Factors

OSHA citations

Volusia County Tree Felling Fatality —
Scene Pictures — November, 2007

Big Creek Fire Accident — August, 2006

NWCG Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Task Group — link to hazard tree safety information

USFS Region 2 letter to Sen. Udall, re: S-212 cutting area — June, 2009

CSFS Faller Qualification Guidelines — May, 2006

USFS Region 2 Chainsaw Policy — February, 2005

S-235 Felling Boss Training, Issue Paper #12 — January, 1996

Wildland Fire Chain Saw Glossary — S-212 Pre-course work

• ANSI — Butt
• Calks — Crossing the Lead
• Danger Tree — FSM
• Grounding — Humboldt Undercut
• Indirect Attack — Open-face Cut
• Peavey — Root Wad
• Safety — Swamp Out
• Tension — Windfall

CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT ISSUE PAPER NUMBER 12
--FELLING BOSS TRAINING--

BACKGROUND
Felling Boss, S-235 is suggested training for the felling boss position. Prior to qualification as a felling boss, the individual also must complete Crew Boss (Single Resource) S-230 and be qualified as an advanced firefighter/squad boss (FFT1). Power Saws S-212 is among the training courses suggested for the FFT1 position.

Development of the S-235 course was initiated in FY 94. When the project leader left in August, 1995, the course was nearly completed, having gone through two test courses and a review. At that time, the project was handed off to another project leader for completion.

CURRENT STATUS
Our second project leader is much more experienced in course development. Upon review of the materials, he determined that instruction in S-235 was duplicating instruction in S-230 and S-212. He also determined that the instruction in S-230 and S-212 fully supported the tasks for the felling boss position. This was discussed with the subject matter specialists who had been assigned to the project. All agreed that all training necessary for the felling boss already existed in the S-212 and S-230 courses. The development group then made a recommendation (see attached memo) that S-235 be dropped from the curriculum.

RECOMMENDATION
The NIFC National Fire and Aviation Training Support Group agrees with the recommendations of the development group that:

1. Felling Boss S-235 be dropped from the curriculum

2. When revised, the Wildland Fire Qualification Subsystem Guide be changed to require Power Saws S-212 or equivalent training OR be certified as a feller by their agency.

ACTIONS REQUIRED
Upon approval of this recommendation:

1. The NIFC National Fire and Aviation Training Support Group will stop further development and certification of the S-235 course. Materials will be retained on file for possible future use and copies will be made available upon request. The enhanced internal review process implemented by the group last Spring will help to catch any future problems of this sort earlier in the development cycle.

2. The ICS Working Team will need to make appropriate changes to the qualifications system during the revision of 310-1.

APPROVED: