JOHNSONBURG — A full day of events is planned, beginning with four hours of Sustainable Forestry Initiative continuing education credits, at the 49th Annual Loggers and Sawmillers Safety Meeting on Tuesday at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall.
Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. for the Advanced Logger Rescue course, taught by Dana Hinkley. The course is a hands-on, real-life simulation of a logging accident scene. Hinkley, a logger, has developed the course and has trained hundreds of loggers, foresters and emergency management personnel across the United States and Canada.
To register for the class on line atwww.sfiofpa.org or pasfi@sfiofpa.
The evening safety meeting will begin at 5 p.m., with registration and dinner at 5:30. The evening presentation will include an overview of the Advanced Logger Rescue, with Hinkley providing insight into the process of rescuing someone who has been hurt in a logging accident.
In addition, representatives from Oregon Chain Company will provide information on proper chainsaw techniques, how a chainsaw creates a chip, why it is designed the way it is, how to sharpen a saw and why it is important to follow the original sharpening.
Instructors will cover kickback and how an incorrectly sharpened chain can cause excessive wear on the chair, bar, rim sprocket and chainsaw engine, resulting in costly repairs. They will also cover chains that are used with a mechanical harvester.
A variety of vendors will be set up both inside the fire hall and out, including SFI of Pennsylvania, WJ Cox Insurance, Dave’s Saw Shop, Ag Choice Farm Credit, Cumberland Truck Parts, Appalachian Power Equipment, Foster Wineland, Bobcat of Kane, Zook Motors and Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services Inc.
All area loggers and forestry professionals are invited to attend. For more information, contact Susan Swanson at Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group, 837-8550.
