Chainsaw courses are still happening - provided by LITA (check the training program) they currently don't teach felling on that course. When we went to Newcastle no one was asked if they could fell trees - only storm & chainsaw was required. Those that were there would agree that the taskings were at the high end of tree tasks we do, what was required were people who can think, do adequate risk assessments, have a range of skills not just chainsaw & finally work as a team. Oh and I forgot realise when an arbourist was required and when thinking outside of the square would safely achieve the same aim. As a team leader on Task force two I was continually surprised by the number of tasks SESSA crews did when our counter parts from NSW, Vic & QLD said that specialist tree surgeons were required (as was recorded on the "pinks"). Yes we got to play with some amazing kit, but at the end of the day it was the skills/experience of each individual coming together as a team that achieve the desired result. This is how all emergency service tasks are successfully completed, using the training, skills and experience of the individuals coming together as a team to complete what ever tasks are required (for those who have done USAR Cat one refer to your notes). Yes we may have a gap in our training, but its not a grand canyon that needs to be fixed in a hurry. And if you have a dry land farmer who has been using chainsaws for thirty years, has all his fingers and toes I will take them over someone trained on a course anytime
- cheers
