Wildfire Service Tree Falling 🌲 | Woodlots at FPBC Conference

Training Ground for Fallers: Thinking about doing some hand falling on your woodlot this year? If so, the BC Wildfire Service is looking to lend you a hand! BCWS is looking to connect with woodlot licensees that might be able to provide a training ground for new fallers to get certified. 
Falling crews come at no cost, and with a high standard of supervision and self-sufficiency, with BCWS assuming liability. 
If any woodlot licensee is interested, BCWS asks for:

• A prescription and/or site plan 

• Maps

• A representative to conduct an onsite pre-work meeting, and answer questions.

• The ability to field-review the work being carried out within appropriate and pre-established intervals. 

At no cost, BCWS will: 

• Take prime contractor responsibilities during our time on site, assuming all liability regarding our staff and the falling operations they will be completing.

• Commit to maintaining an experienced site supervisor to ensure that the work being carried out meets your standard and is being conducted safely.

Timeline:

• Most training is done in the spring, fall, and winter months, keeping the summer open for fire response.   

In 2016, BCWS became an administering agency of the Work Safe BC - BC Faller Training Standard to improve employee safety and performance on wildfires.

BCWS relies heavily on the ability of sawyers while managing wildfires. Maintaining a successful chainsaw training program is a benefit to everyone, providing for safer and more effective fire response.

In 2022 as a provincial program, BCWS dedicated almost 900-man days to working on sites with approximately 25,000 cubic meters cut and around 26 new fallers certified. 

Interested? For Prince George area, contact Andrew Paul (phone 250-565-7619). For the Cariboo, contact Jordan Magnuson (phone 778-899-6098).