The whole certification thing is a mess. The problem is that the forest service is totally oriented to FS employees, and the transition to using volunteers has been a major problem, particularly at the local level. Add to this that the experts with chain saws in the FS are the fire folks, and there seems to be no love lost with the recreation folks, those responsible for trail maintenance. Yikes.
The issue revolves around safety, and job security: if you certify a sawyer, and they get hurt, it reflects upon you, and your job performance as a trainer. FS employees are somewhat concerned that someone outside the "tribe" will be in a position to affect their performance rating. This is serious stuff, to those involved.
There is also an issue related to insurance. For purposes of medical care, the FS is self-insured. What that ends up meaning practically, is that if someone gets hurt, the cost of care will come out of the budget for that service area. If it costs $100,000 to sew back a thumb (as if it would be so cheap), and the budget for that ranger district is $100,000, you've just shut the district and laid off the employees. This stuff really worries people.
I've been a "c" sawyer for about 8 years. Under the regulations, I am permitted to train people to the "b" level and certify them....if the forest saw supervisor will sign off on it. In spite of the fact that I've a lot of experience, I'm a teacher by profession, and I handle much sharper things than chainsaws professionally, it is not going to happen, it is clear. No one will accept the liability. If they won't give a card to Pete Fish, no one is going to get one. I've got cards, but I think it was because my program was flying under the radar at the time. Nitro is new in the job, and she probably hasn't found the levers of power, yet. I'll see her next month.
I like to believe that everyone is trying to do their best, but it is a transition phase, and everyone is nervous. There are some real good people trying to make things happen: David Michael, the crosscut guru, Beth Boyce, the FS PCT manager, but they are fighting an intrenched mindset and habit, and it takes time. <sigh>
