USFS Developing Thinking Sawyer Chain Saw Academic Training Opportunities
1st Class
Where: Carl’s Cycles, 5550 W State Street, Boise, ID
When: Wednesday Feb 4th/Feb 11th 6-9 pm
(Broken into two 2 – 3 hour sessions)
2nd Class (Preregistration Required for access to NG Base)
Where: Gowen Field, Regional Maintenance Training Site, 4355 W. Harvard St. Bldg. 806 Boise, ID 83705
When: Saturday March 7th 830am to 4pm
3rd Class
Where: Classroom with be held in Sweet, ID from 08:30 to 16:00 on Saturday May 3, 2026
What is a Sawyer?
In March of 2023 the USFS released “Developing Thinking Sawyer” a module-based chain saw training course developed with seasonal fire crews and volunteers in mind. This two-day course consists of 6-8 hours classroom and demonstration, followed by a day in the field working on various sawyer problems and certification evaluation. DTS covers both Chainsaw and Crosscut and is recognized by all three federal land agencies.
USFS certifications for non-fire employees and volunteers are:
Apprentice “A” bucker , “A” bucker/faller
Requires a B or C sawyer to be supervising
Journeyman “B” bucker , “B” bucker/faller
Master “C” bucker , “C” bucker/faller
Sawyers can hold multiple levels of certification on one card. Example: Chainsaw: C-bucker, B-faller; Crosscut: B-bucker/faller.
Chainsaw Sawyers must be 18 at the time of their field day and have a valid First Aid Card.
“B” sawyers require the full DTS training with an extra day if falling certification is required.
“C” sawyers require multiple years of experience and completion of DTS and an additional advanced workshop.
Sawyer Certification cards are valid for 3 years before recertification is required. Recertification can be compressed with a ½ day classroom refresher and a ½ day in the field.
First Aid/CPR cards generally are valid for 2 years.
Why is sawyer training important?
The federal public lands agencies require all people doing trail work on public lands to be under a volunteer agreement or some sort of contract. Those under volunteer agreements must posses the same training certifications as agencies summer employees, first aid/CPR and if running a saw, a sawyer certification. “Volunteers will be covered by USFS workman’s compensation and liability insurance, while working on projects approved by the land agency.”
With the crazy weather across Idaho in Dec of 2025, we are already seeing an incredible amount of trees blown down due to the high precipitation and warm weather when the crazy wind storms came through. The 2026 riding season will be impacted by the amount of trees that have fallen. Its going to be vital for safe and effective clearing of trees with chainsaws.
Cost.
DTS Workshop are free to any volunteer who is a member of a group with a Volunteer Agreement.
What to bring?
Bring an open mind to safe and effective chainsaw training. All PPE and saws will be provided at the field days.
First Aid Training (Required prior to field day)
Best: Wilderness First Aid Boise, ID WFA | Idaho Rescue Training
Minimum: Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Online
How to Sign up?
Please RSVP with Rob Adams (moosely.adams@gmail.com) and Dan Waugh (dan.p.waugh@gmail.com).
Field Day.
Field Days will be held north of the Pine Flats Campground on the Banks-Lowman Road west of Lowman, ID
Sign-up and Safety Meeting will be completed before 10:00, Field Day 10:00 to 15:00
In the past this area has been snow free by early April
Dates: Sunday April 19, Sunday April 26, Sunday May 3 & Saturday May 9