John Jacobsen and Dennis Brodie

The need to thin trees alongside the Campbell River Airport runway created a training opportunity. When it was learned that YBL needed select tree and brush removal adjacent to the runway areas, a connection was made between City Airport Manager Dennis Brodie and BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) course trainer John Jacobsen. A plan emerged that saw the Falling Supervisor course being hosted at the Campbell River Airport, and it has proven to be a win-win for safety. …BCFSC requires standing timber in a forested setting during two field days of training, where various manual tree-falling-related activities are demonstrated. In his role as an experienced tree faller and trainer, Jacobsen worked with Brodie to develop a falling safety plan that allowed course participants to spend the field days in areas in need of improved sightlines for approaching aircraft outside the fences at the airport. …For BCFSC, the convenience of the location is a key benefit.