Volunteer Certifications

Volunteering on trails comes with risks.  The US Forest Service has Job Hazard Analyses to help identify and prevent potential safety hazards.  Another mitigation for many types of activities is to have First Aid and CPR training.  

The USFS recognizes the following organizations for approved First Aid, CPR courses.  Note that while First Aid can be done online, the CPR component MUST ALWAYS BE IN-PERSON CERTIFICATION. The first Aid/CPR can be obtained for free at https://www.americaser.net/locations/cypress.  All other approved first Aid/CPR organizations are listed below.  For current, detailed information on the courses listed below, see each organization’s website.

• American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

• American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, and provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

• American Safety and Health Institute. The American Safety and Health Institute is a company that provides standardized emergency medical training. 

• National Safety Council. The National Safety Council’s mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education, and advocacy.

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The Forest Service is working under the established NPS EMS system. The NREMT is the nation’s EMS certification organization for Level III (EMR) through Level VI (Paramedic).  EMS providers may be certified or licensed by the State in which they practice as well.

Bloodborne Pathogens training is also required for USFS Sawyers.  To complete this training, reference the TRAINING document and sign the signature page.  Include the Signature PDF with the FA/CPR card submitted to the USFS prior to the class.

In addition to the requirements stated below, equipment operators will be responsible for training equipment swampers that will help the operator accomplish the workday tasks.  There should be one swamper per operating piece of equipment in the field.  Specific situations should be considered to determine the appropriate swamper needs.  The equipment operator will review the Swamper Duties with their swamper crew at the beginning of the day prior to starting work.  

TRACKED EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION:

• Join the Sam Houston Trails Coalition, Become a member

• Possess a valid State driver’s license

  • • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is NOT required to transport the trail dozer and mini-excavator on public roads as the GVWR does not exceed 26,000 lb. 

• Sign and submit to the district a Volunteer Service Agreement

• Complete First Aid/CPR requirements, see section on First-Aid - CPR - Bloodborne Pathogens

• Read the FS “Driver Orientation Self-Study Guide”

• Read the Operator’s Manual for all equipment requested

  • • SWECO Trail Dozer

    • IHI 15NX Mini Excavator

    • Other if requested

• Read from the Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook (FSH 6709.11)

  • • Chapter 10, sections 11 to 13 (general travel, driving, and specialized equipment)

    • Chapter 30, section 39.13, paragraph 1 (no smoking policy)

    • Recommend Chapter 40

    • Recommend the rest of the manual

• Read from the Forest Service Driver-Operator Guide (EM-7130-2)

  • • Chapters 1, 2, and 5

    • Recommend reading the entire manual

• Complete written tests for Driver-Operator, Trailer, Crawler Tractor

• Complete USFS defensive driving videos and have the Certificate of Completion signed by Heather.spencer@usda.gov or President@samhoustontrails.com 

  • • Driving Mountain Roads

    • Backing and Turning Around

    • Distracted Driving

• Complete Region 8 OF-346 Check List 

  • • Sign the Region 8 Motor Vehicle Operator’s Acknowledgement form

    • The Fleet Credit Card Use Requirements Certification form is not required

    • Sign the consent for driving record check form

      • • This costs nothing but could take 3 weeks to process.  You can go online and download your own driving record and submit with no waiting. 

          • • https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager

            • Type 2A

    • Complete the Application for Authorization to Operate Government Vehicles and Equipment, section 1 (FS-7100-0184 REV.06/15)

    • Complete the Physical Fitness Inquiry for Motor Vehicle Operators

• Submit to Fleet Manager

  • • Signed Region 8 Motor Vehicle Operator’s Acknowledgement form

    • Signed USDA Forest Service Consent for Driving Record Check form

    • Completed application form (FS-7100-0184 Rev 6/15 section 1)

    • Completed Physical Fitness OF 345 form

    • Defensive driving course completion certificate

    • Copy of State driver’s license

    • Copy of signed Volunteer Service Agreement

    • Copy of First Aid/CPR card(s)

    • Complete written tests for Driver-Operator, Trailer, Crawler Tractor

• Supervisor on the District will:

  • • Fill out and sign the Government Official section of the Volunteer Service Agreement

    • Fill out and sign Section II of the Application Form (FS-7100-0184)

    • Conduct truck and trailer proficiency test

• Fleet manager issues OF-346 license with equipment listed as trainee status

• Practical training on equipment (40-hour basic – classroom + field)

• Build experience (60-hour advanced)

  • • Equipment Hours Log Record

• Demonstrate proficiency

  • • Track-Tire Equipment Proficiency Test

• 100-hour certificate issued

• Recurring requirements

In addition to the requirements stated below, equipment operators will be responsible for training equipment swampers that will help the operator accomplish the workday tasks.  There should be one swamper per operating piece of equipment in the field.  Specific situations should be considered to determine the appropriate swamper needs.  The equipment operator will review the Swamper Duties with their swamper crew at the beginning of the day prior to starting work. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION:

If you are already track equipment certified and have a valid USFS Drivers License, you can skip the items in red font

• Join the Sam Houston Trails Coalition, Become a member

• Must possess a valid State driver’s license

  • • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is NOT required to transport equipment with GVWR < 26,000 lb. 

• Sign and submit to the district a Volunteer Service Agreement

• Complete First Aid/CPR requirements, see section on First-Aid - CPR - Bloodborne Pathogens

• Read the FS “Driver Orientation Self-Study Guide”

• Read the Operator’s Manual for all equipment requested

• Read from the Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook (FSH 6709.11)

  • • Chapter 10, sections 11 to 13 (general travel, driving, and specialized equipment)

    • Chapter 30, section 39.13, paragraph 1 (no smoking policy)

    • Recommend Chapter 40

    • Recommend reading the rest of the manual

• Read from the Forest Service Driver-Operator Guide (EM-7130-2)

  • • Chapters 1, 2, and 5

    • Recommend reading the entire manual

• Complete the Rubber Tire Equipment Written Test

• Complete the Driver-Operator Written Test

• Complete USFS defensive driving videos and have the Certificate of Completion signed by Heather.spencer@usda.gov or President@samhoustontrails.com 

  • • Driving Mountain Roads

    • Backing and Turning Around

    • Distracted Driving

• Complete Region 8 OF-346 Check List 

  • • Sign the Region 8 Motor Vehicle Operator’s Acknowledgement form

    • The Fleet Credit Card Use Requirements Certification form is not required

    • Sign the consent for driving record check form

      • • This costs nothing but could take 3 weeks to process.  You can go online and download your own driving record and submit with no waiting. 

          • • https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager

            • Type 2A

    • Complete the Application for Authorization To Operate Government Vehicles and Equipment, section 1 (FS-7100-0184 REV.06/15)

    • Complete the Physical Fitness Inquiry for Motor Vehicle Operators

• Complete inspections for equipment and trailer

• Submit to Fleet Manager

  • • Signed Region 8 Motor Vehicle Operator’s Acknowledgement form

    • Signed USDA Forest Service Consent for Driving Record Check form

    • Completed Physical Fitness OF 345 form

    • Defensive driving course completion certificate

    • Copy of state driver’s license

    • Copy of signed Volunteer Service Agreement

    • Copy of First Aid/CPR card(s)

    • Completed written test for Rubber Tire Equipment

    • Completed written test for Driver-Operator

    • Completed equipment inspection form

    • Completed trailer inspection form

• Supervisor on the District will:

  • • Fill out and sign the Government Official section of the Volunteer Service Agreement

    • Fill out and sign Section II of the Application Form OF-346

    • Fleet manager issues OF-346 license with equipment listed as trainee status

• Complete 60-hour field training under supervision of a Certified Rubber Tire Operator

  • • Equipment Hours Log Record

• Demonstrate proficiency

  • • Track-Tire Equipment Proficiency Test

• Rubber Tire Equipment Certification issued

• Recurring requirements

Thank for your interest in becoming a USFS certified sawyer or in renewing your certification.

General information: 

• The New Sawyer training is typically two days (1 classroom and 1 field day).  

• The Recertification is one day.  

• Sawyer cards are valid for three years.  

• First Aid/CPR certification is valid for two years.  

• New Sawyers that have met the training requirements and demonstrated proficiency in operation and safety will be issued an “A Sawyer” card.  Sawyers certified at the A level may operate a saw in the least complex situations and must be under the direct supervision of a B or C Sawyer.  

• To become a “B Sawyer” volunteers will be required to build field experience hours and show mastery of equipment and procedures in safe saw operation.  Sawyers certified at the B level may operate a saw in moderately complex situations.  Both A and B Sawyers are only certified to buck trees already on the ground.  No felling.  

So how do you become a USFS certified sawyer?

• Join the Sam Houston Trails Coalition, Become a member

• Complete the Volunteer Service Agreement, Volunteer Service Agreement

• Complete First Aid/CPR requirements, see section on First-Aid - CPR - Bloodborne Pathogens

• Submit the VSA, FA/CPR card, and Blood-borne pathogens signature document to USFS Trails Coordinator, Heather Spencer, heather.spencer@USDA.gov, and SHTC President, President@samhoustontrails.com.

• You will be put on a list for upcoming training.  Typically, there is one New Sawyer class and one Recertification class per calendar year.

• For the training, recertification, and actual field work, the required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn:

  • • Sturdy boots with rubber soles (no tennis shoes)

    • Long sleeve shirts and full-length pants

    • Leather gloves

    • Safety glasses

    • Ear protection

    • Hard hats and sawyer chaps

    • If you have your own chainsaw, please bring that to the course

    • If you need any of the PPE or having any questions about the PPE, please ask