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National Crosscut and Chainsaw Program

Image of a man placing wedged in a log to spread the space

Inserted wedges in a bucking operation.

Image of a chainsaw crew walking and looking at smoke

Activity is picking up. Heading out on the line.

Image of a person sharpening a saw by hand

The meticulous and rewarding job of sharpening a crosscut saw.

Image of a man cutting limbs off of a fallen tree

Limbing a pine prior to bucking the tree.

Image of a plastic wedge being tossed to friend

Tossing a wedge for a crosscut bucking operation on a trail in a fire scar.

National Saw Program Technical Advisory Group (SPTAG)

The new Forest Service saw policy (PDF, 305 KB) directs the use of chainsaws and crosscut saws on the National Forest System Lands. Forest Service employees, volunteers and cooperators can now access consistent training, evaluation and certification.  The policy enables properly qualified volunteers and cooperators to train and evaluate their members. Authorized Cooperator organizations may also certify their members. The Forest Services' National and Regional Saw Program Managers and the National Saw Technical Advisory Group (SPTAG) lead the implementation of the program. 

 

Forest Service Regions

Have a question?

Washington Office Justin "Nash" Nash - SPTAG Chair National Saw Program Manager (acting) justin.nash@usda.gov

Northern Region (R1) Adam Washebek - Regional Saw Program Manager adam.j.washebek@usda.gov 

Rocky Mountain Region (R2) Brian Teets - Regional Program Manager brian.Teets@usda.gov

Rocky Mountain Region (R2) Chris Kuennen - Deputy Regional Chainsaw Program Manager christopher.kuennen@usda.gov 

Rocky Mountain Region (R2) David Mucklow - Deputy Regional Crosscut Saw Program Manager david.mucklow@usda.gov

Southwest Region (R3) Kerry Wood - Point of contact for chainsaw program issues kerry.wood@usda.gov 

Intermountain Region (R4) Brian Burbridge - Regional Saw Program Manager brian.burbridge@usda.gov 

Intermountain Region (R4) Adam Benkula - Deputy Regional Chainsaw Program Manager adam.benkula@usda.gov 

Intermountain Region (R4) Giovanni Lopez - Deputy Regional Crosscut Saw Program Manager giovanni.lopez@usda.gov 

Pacific Southwest Region (R5) Jason Murieen - Regional Chainsaw Program Manager jason.murieen@usda.gov 

Pacific Southwest Region (R5) Keith Dawley - Regional Crosscut Saw Program Manager keith.dawley@usda.gov 

Pacific Northwest Region (R6) Aaron Pedersen - Regional Saw Program Manager aaron.pedersen@usda.gov 

Pacific Northwest Region (R6) Drew Peterson - Deputy Regional Chainsaw Program Manager drew.peterson@usda.gov 

Southern Region (R8) Dan Mclaughlin - Regional Saw Program Manager (Acting) daniel.mclaughlin@usda.gov

Southern Region (R8) Greg Philipp - Deputy Saw Program Manager gregory.philipp@usda.gov

Southern Region (R8) Randall (Chase) Frisbee - Deputy Saw Program Manager randall.frisbee@usda.gov

Eastern Region (R9) Dan McLaughlin - Regional Saw Program Manager daniel.mcLaughlin@usda.gov 

Eastern Region (R9) Dave Haberl - Deputy Regional Saw Program Manager david.j.haberl@usda.gov

Alaska Region (R10) Seth Roseberry - Regional Saw Program Manager seth.roseberry@usda.gov 

Job Corps Justin Abbey - Saw Program Manager justin.abbey@usda.gov 

Sawyer Training

New chain saw and crosscut saw training is available. The module-based training focuses on "Developing a Thinking Sawyer" and emphasizes risk management, human factors and sawyer safety. Qualified instructors can contact their local saw coordinator to ask about how to obtain the training material. 

Forest Service volunteers and cooperator organizations working under an agreement can take the training. Contact your local forest or grassland volunteer coordinator or saw program coordinator for training opportunities. 

To operate saws on National Forest System lands, an individual must complete one of the two Nationally Recognized Sawyer Training Courses (NRSTC) approved by the USDA Forest Service. 

Sawyer Resources

Saw Program Highlights

 

Forest Service Disclaimer

The Forest Service, an Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information for the guidance of its employees, its contractor, and cooperating Federal and State agencies. The Forest Service assumes no responsibility for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees. The use of trade, firm or corporation names is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.