On April 15 and 16, Appalachian State Advise NC Advisers gathered for a comprehensive chainsaw safety workshop designed to equip volunteers with the technical skills necessary for disaster recovery and community service. The two-day Beginner’s Chainsaw Safety 101 Workshop was part of a mandatory yearly disaster relief requirement for the AmeriCorps agency, which sponsors Advise NC.
The training was specifically informed by recent emergency efforts in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. During the aftermath of the storm, chainsawing emerged as a critical skill for reaching communities that had been trapped by fallen trees and debris.
The first day of the workshop took place on campus at Appalachian State, where participants engaged in classroom-based instruction focusing on the theoretical and mechanical foundations of the tool.
Mackenzie Alexander of the Forest Stewards Guild led sessions on personal protective equipment and housekeeping, while Laura Block of Team Rubicon introduced the group to risk management and the OHLEC protocol, a situational awareness framework.
Nathan Gatlin of the NC Cooperative Extension, Talia Leonard of TRACTOR Food and Farms, and Zac O’Donnell of the Southern Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Association provided technical instruction on the parts of a saw and proper usage. The afternoon transitioned into small-group maintenance sessions covering cleaning, fueling, and the precise art of sharpening a saw.
On the second day, the training moved to Full Moon Farm in Deep Gap for hands-on application. After an introduction to the site by Ian Snider of Mountain Works Conservation, participants rotated through practical field stations. These exercises included “cookie cutting” to practice precision control, as well as limbing and bucking under the guidance of instructors.
The workshop emphasized accessibility and inclusive instruction, allowing members with different needs to still get experience running a saw.
“The chainsaw training session was such a great experience for me,” said Lydia Bridges, Adviser for Rutherford County.
“The entire team was understanding of my cerebral palsy and made sure I could still fully participate by adapting the training to fit my needs. Before Advise NC and AmeriCorps, I never would have imagined myself doing something like that. It was a really meaningful reminder that I’m capable of more than I sometimes think.”
Other participants reflected on the long-term value of the skills acquired during the field training. Becka Dulaney, Adviser for Franklin County, noted the importance of the diverse instructional team and the intuitive progression from smaller to larger trees during the bucking exercises.
“The chainsaw workshop was a great experience! I really enjoyed seeing the diversity in the people teaching and how accessible this skill can be with the right training,” Dulaney said. “Learning this skill alongside fellow advisers also opened my eyes to the fact that we take this with us wherever we are.”
This investment in regional stewardship and volunteer readiness ensures that when the next natural disaster occurs, these members are prepared to clear paths for essential aid and recovery.
