Davey Tree Flipbooks

18 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | July/August 2022 Wilmington, Delaware's non-profit organization Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) creates greener communities by inspiring individuals through the power of plants and environmental improvement through a variety of programs. DCH's Branches to Chances Return to Work job training program is a hands-on nine week course, connecting unemployed, underemployed, or previously incarcerated individuals with entry level positions in the landscaping, tree maintenance, and park maintenance fields. Dave Sztenderowicz, senior regional safety specialist, joined Wilmington office employees Mike Brough, foreman, Jason Gaskill, assistant district manager, and John Files, trimmer, to conduct a day-long demonstration session with DCH instructors and Branches to Chances students. "We shared what tree care is really all about, so they know what to expect on the job," Gaskill said. Brough and Files instructed students on climbing skills, removing dead wood from a tree, proper pruning techniques Above: Chesapeake office employees attend an aerial rescue training day in Annapolis, Md. Employees pictured include Blaze Breeding, trimmer; DJ Brittingham, foreman; Ronny Enos, foreman; Rafael Escobar, trimmer; Darren Johnson, foreman; Josh Kruger, trimmer; Paul Laudenslayer, foreman; Aaron Lewis, trimmer; Cody McTaggart, trimmer; Jason Pauley, foreman; Haley Rhodes, trimmer; Jacobo Ruiz, trimmer; Corey Shepard, regional skills trainer, Davey Institute; Barry Sherwood, sales arborist; Eugene Williams, trimmer; and Logan Zimmerman, trimmer. Left: As part of a community job training program John Files, trimmer, Wilmington office, is pictured in the tree. Mike Brough, foreman, is holding the chainsaw, and Dave Sztenderowicz, senior regional safety specialist, corporate safety department, is right of Brough. to reduce stress on trees, tree health, and post-climb gear inspection. "It feels good to give back, with the hope of sparking students' interest enough for them to consider a career in the field," Brough said. In Maryland, Chesapeake office employees participated in an aerial rescue training session at St. Martin's Lutheran School of Annapolis, a client of the Chesapeake office. The training was organized by Robert Dallmann, district manager, who noticed two willow oak trees were hanging very low and needed pruning. "The school, which includes a church, has more work than funds. As a thank you for letting us use the space for training, we pruned two willow oak trees pro bono," Dallmann said. Ronny Enos, foreman, coordinated the aerial rescue training, while Corey Shepard, regional skills trainer, was in one of the willow oak trees using a mannequin to demonstrate the process. Jason Pauley, foreman, set up a single rope system training. "We also did some general pruning and climbing training as well. We took the time to pause and learn. It was a team-building day," Dallmann said. LEADERSHIP RAISING THE BAR ON TRAINING IN THE MID-ATLANTIC

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