S.T.A.R.R.S. Training

Scheduled Training Opportunity

Customers in and around the Washington area have the opportunity to attend a full day S.T.A.R.R.S seminar on Dealing with Hazard Trees and Falling and Bucking Seminar. This one-day seminar will demonstrate techniques for falling and bucking of hazard trees, including using mechanical advantage to pull trees, proper assessment of trees prior to cutting, and dealing with storm damage scenarios. Attending this seminar will earn CEUs for ISA members.
To register, email or call Dave Stice, S.T.A.R.R.S. instructor: (206) 351-8231 dstice@starrstraining.com.

• Event Poster
• S.T.A.R.R.S. Home Page

Driving Directions:

• Take I-5 to SR 530 (Darrington Exit)
• Traveling from the North, turn LEFT on SR 530
• Traveling from the South, turn RIGHT on SR 530
• Turn RIGHT on Arlington Heights/Jordan Road
• Follow Jordon Road watching for one lane bridge
• Turn LEFT on 184th Street NE
• Follow signage to Camp Kalsman

Module 1: Basic Climbing Techniques

Topics:
• Knots, hitches and bends.
• Site inspections / identifying hazards / Visual Tree Assessment (VTA).
• Setting Lines (Double Rope Techniques (DRT) / Single Rope Techniques (SRT), region specific) using the big-shot, throw-ball, and johnny-ball, selecting proper tie-in-points (tip), advancing lines.
• Entering the canopy (DRT / SRT region specific) using hip thrust, foot lock assist, flip-line assist, mechanical assist, spurs.
• Work positioning within the canopy

Module 2: Advanced Climbing Techniques

Topics:
• Knots, hitches and bends.
• Site inspections / identifying hazards / Visual Tree Assessment (VTA).
• Setting Lines (DRT / SRT, region specific) refresher covering emplacing cambium savers, frictionless climbing systems.
• Entering the canopy (DRT / SRT region specific).
• Foot Locking (single and double line).
• Work positioning within the canopy covering working off of double and single lines, rope management, redirects.
• Introduction to basic aerial rescue.

Module 3: Aerial Rescue - Module 3.A

• Lecture: gear inspections, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) safety aspects and rope dynamics.

Topics:
• Rescue kits, ground procedures, crew info sheets, knowing location of work site
• Scene assessment: what has happened, hazards to victim and rescuers (current and future)
• Getting to victim in need
• Rope access, spur access
• Actions to secure victim

Module 3: Aerial Rescue - Module 3.B

• Review of Module 3.A
• Selecting the proper system / technique for the rescue to be performed: one man, two man, three man, secondary lowering line, mechanical advantage systems, spar pole, multi stem, patient packaging

Module 4: Basic Rigging Techniques

• Intro to blocks, pulleys and anchoring points, old vs. new rigging
• Knots, hitches and bends
• Site inspections / identifying hazards / site management
• Employing proper rigging systems: VTA, equipment available, anchor points, lowering devises, tag lines, bend ratios
• Basic saw cuts, chainsaw safety, snap cuts, jump cuts, face cuts
• Proper lowering techniques
• Ground operations
• Rope management

Module 5: Advanced Rigging Techniques

• Intro to advanced lowering devises
• Understanding how to make the rigging flow (i.e. To make the aerial and ground operations flow together)
• Knots, hitches and bends (refresher)
• Site inspections / identifying hazards / site management
• Employing advanced rigging systems: VTA, advanced lowering devise, anchor points (single and multi), speed lines, stacking multiple limbs, drift lines, multi line-single piece, rope angles
• Proper lowering techniques: controlling load, shock loading system, tag lines
• Ground operations
• Situational awareness of load, other ground personnel, civilians and climber ensuring everyone is working safely.
• Rope management

Module 6: Falling and Bucking

• Saw maintenance, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Visual Tree Assessment (VTA)
• Falling and bucking module including all types of undercuts (standard, sidehill, bore and strap, snipes and face cuts) for beginner to advanced
• Pulling trees: weight assessment, (limb and lean factors), line size and block capacity for redirects, appropriate height to set lines, communication.
• Understanding of bind forces in bucking and hazards associated in storm work

“Dear Dave: This letter is to say “thanks” for referring Ethan to us. Ethan has quickly become an integral part of our operation and an essential member of the team. As you know it can very difficult to find qualified help in our industry and Ethan has turned out to be just that and more. Because of Ethan’s previous training and experience we were able to immediately trust him in a supervisory role. Both his climbing and pruning skills were up to our rigorous standards and he has demonstrated a consistent attitude of “safety first.”

Thanks again for referring Ethan to our company. It is obvious that you invested considerable time and effort in training him to a high standard; now we are reaping the benefit!”

-Scot Selby, Arborist Representative Bartlett Tree Experts -Four Seasons Tree Division.