Woodland Trainers Association

Woodland Trainers Association For 30 years the WTA has provided training for 30k+ forestry crews, firefighters and instructors.

Association Goals:


To exchange experiences and skills between members and industry
To provide a vehicle through which common problems may be solved
To build a safety net by sharing more efficient and safer techniques
To improve quality, preparation and presentation of woodland training materials and techniques
To initiate and maintain close liason between industry and government partners

10/10/2026

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we note that the impacts of wildland fire can spread far beyond devastation on the landscape. Wildland fire personnel and first responders can be impacted well past the end of the season and can feel an emotional toll that compounds in the aftermath of each incident.

CIFFC thanks our wildland fire colleagues for their hard work and dedication this season, and asks our community members to check in with each other, to speak openly about mental health, and to ask for help when you need it. Stigma and barriers to care still exist across response organizations, but if we can support each other to develop a culture of connectedness, we can help to improve long-term mental health outcomes for all.

➡️MHOC resources for first responders: https://ow.ly/8UaG50ZQnCh
➡️Canadian mental health support resources: https://ow.ly/qGmX50ZQnCk

--xx—

Aujourd’hui, à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de la santé mentale, nous soulignons que les répercussions des feux de forêt peuvent aller bien au-delà de la dévastation du paysage. Les pompiers forestiers et les premiers intervenants peuvent en subir les conséquences bien après la fin de la saison et ressentir un poids émotionnel qui s’accumule au lendemain de chaque incident.

Le CIFFC remercie ses collègues de la lutte contre les feux de forêt pour leur travail acharné et leur dévouement cette saison, et invite les membres de notre communauté à prendre des nouvelles les uns des autres, à parler ouvertement de santé mentale et à demander de l’aide en cas de besoin. La stigmatisation et les obstacles à l’accès aux soins persistent au sein des organismes d’intervention, mais si nous parvenons à nous soutenir mutuellement pour développer une culture de solidarité, nous pourrons contribuer à améliorer la santé mentale à long terme de tous.

➡️Ressources du CSMC pour les premiers intervenants : https://ow.ly/UW8750ZQnCs
➡️Ressources pour le soutien en santé mentale : https://ow.ly/xTbq50ZQnCr

Interested in taking our Chainsaw Safety Awareness (Level 1) class? It’s a one day course that can be held at your own f...
10/03/2026

Interested in taking our Chainsaw Safety Awareness (Level 1) class? It’s a one day course that can be held at your own facility.

During the course, we cover:
➕ Basic operation: saw parts, safe handling, starting & stopping, fueling, potential dangers, safety features, PPE
➕ Maintenance: regular checks, winter operation, chain & bar, carburetor
➕ Safety Considerations: OH&S, emergency plan, communications, equipment, fire, wildlife
➕ Limbing and bucking: safety, compression & tension, techniques
➕ Basic falling: terminology, tools, falling a tree, notches and backcuts
➕ Special situations: various topics, including spring poles, uprooted trees, heavy leaners, oversized trees, tied trees & snags.

Check out the website for more details: https://woodlandtrainers.ca/training-programs/chainsaw-safety-awareness-level-1/

Every Child Matters. 🧡
10/01/2026

Every Child Matters. 🧡

09/27/2026
09/26/2026
In life…Balance is key. 😉
09/26/2026

In life…Balance is key. 😉

09/14/2026

September and October are rutting season for elk. Male elk (bulls) are very aggressive during this time.

Be elk wary:
🦌 Do not approach elk and stay at least 30 metres back.
🦌 Keep an eye out for aggressive behaviour. Bull elk will put their heads down and paw at the ground.

If an elk gets too close:
🦌 Act dominant and make yourself as big as possible. Maintain eye contact, speak loudly and firmly and do not turn your back. Back away slowly, giving the elk lots of room.

Learn more at https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparks-ca/advisories-and-public-safety/outdoor-safety/wildlife-and-you/

Before a tree is felled, there are personal, physical, and environmental factors that must be considered.Start by assess...
09/12/2026

Before a tree is felled, there are personal, physical, and environmental factors that must be considered.

Start by assessing the tree itself, including:

Species
Live or dead condition
Length and soundness
Defects
Twin tops or “school marm”

Next, inspect the base of the tree for potential hazards such as:

Rot and cankers
Shelf fungi or bracket fungi
Wounds and scars

The assessment doesn’t stop at the tree. The surrounding terrain and immediate work area must also be evaluated for people, powerlines, structures, and other potential hazards.

A safe escape route, along with alternate routes, should be predetermined before the tree is committed to the fall or a bucking cut. Knowing where you’re going before the cut is made is a critical part of safe tree work.

Want to learn the full scope of professional tree-felling assessment and safety?

Book your team for training:
https://woodlandtrainers.ca/training-programs/

By making safety a priority, companies can protect their employees, minimize costs, and ensure they remain compliant wit...
09/10/2026

By making safety a priority, companies can protect their employees, minimize costs, and ensure they remain compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

Book your next Supervisors Safe Work Environment course through WTA and gain the confidence and peace of mind that your team has the knowledge and training to work safely, correctly, and efficiently.

More info: https://woodlandtrainers.ca/training-programs/supervisors-safe-work-environment

Address

Box 1026
Red Deer, AB
T4N6S5

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