Davey Tree Flipbooks

16 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | July/August 2023 Fifteen Residential/Commercial (R/C) services employees from the Alexandria, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, North Baltimore, North Philadelphia, South Baltimore, North Virginia East, North Virginia West, King of Prussia, Richmond, and Wilmington offices attended arborist skills training at Camp Pecometh in Centreville, Maryland. The group went over general personal safety and PPE; Factors and Forces; Davey's drop zone policy; throwline equipment and techniques; ropes, knots, and hitches; work positioning; dynamic climbing systems; foot ascenders; and the stationary rope system. Jason Pauley, arborist skills trainer, Davey Institute, said what he enjoys about this training is similar to other trainings. "What I enjoy is watching trainees step up and become the trainer during the session, helping others when the trainers are assisting others. It's an 'aha' MID-ATLANTIC ARBOR SKILLS TRAINING moment for them," Pauley said. Trainee Sarah Hood-Recant, trimmer, Richmond office, said she really enjoyed meeting people from other offices. They shared tips and tricks with each other. "Learning the single rope technique was beneficial, as it allows for more movement without friction. I also enjoyed a refresher on putting in a friction saver," Hood-Recant said. LEADERSHIP Fourteen Eastern Utility services employees from the Duke Energy, City of Tallahassee, Glades Electric Cooperative, JEA, Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, Mississippi Power, Orlando Utilities Commission, and Tampa Electric accounts, along with two employees from the Residential/ Commercial services' Naples office, participated in an Advanced Climbing training in Ocala, Florida. "The program covers the fundamentals and evolution of climbing arborist techniques. These techniques are explained with hands-on training, detailed explanations, and an overview of best practices," said Brian Parris, senior regional safety specialist, health and safety department. "I have a lot of old school climbing knowledge, as I was one of the oldest participants. Many of the other trainees knew the new techniques, but not the old ones," said George Trice, general foreman, City of Tallahassee account. "What I liked about this course was we started with the basics, then learned how to use the mechanical ascenders. I was grateful for the opportunity to go to this training. It amazes me how far this technology has come." ADVANCED UTILITY CLIMBING TRAINING Luis Alvarez, foreman, Tampa Electric account, is pictured on the rope, with Zenen Rodriguez, climber, Tampa Electric account, next to him. Max Hackney, senior regional safety specialist, health and safety department, is pictured on the far right, instructing. They were practicing ascending and descending the rope with a foot ascender. Preston Brunner Hunter Campbell Aubrey Cover DJ Brittingham Eliza Hayslett Sarah Hood-Recant Matthew Hutchins Evan Javid Mark Johnston Joshua Kruger Adam Lockhart Hunter Metheny Sean Murphy Andy Savage Dylan Williams Arborist skills trainees: Left: Corey Shepard, arborist skills trainer, assists Jose Ramirez, arborist skills trainer at the front of the classroom at Camp Pecometh. Right: Sarah Hood-Recant, trimmer, Richmond office, is pictured during the stationary rope system basal anchor training.

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