Heli-logging has its rewards

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An all-First Nations crew in heli-logging, the only one of it's kind in Canada, calls Vancouver Island home. The crew of 12 is in demand these days. The workers, who were trained by Coulson Forest Products in 2000, are from several bands belonging to the Nuu' chah-nulth Tribal Council.

In 1999, Ehattesaht First Nation councillor Lyle Billy visited the communities of Zeballos, Campbell River, Nuchatlaht and Gold River, to make people aware of heli-logging training and begin the recruitment process.

Ernie Smith, president of Hecate Logging, said that now they are looking at training more workers in this field.

"We've already posted up notices that we are looking for new trainees, because our crew is having trouble filling the demand for what they do. We have a couple of crews. When a crew is working full time they usually get spelled off by another crew on their seven days off, so that is why we need more workers. We are looking for more First Nation workers because we are doing our best to keep all our guys in our community busy."

Smith said that although the job is rewarding for workers and for the community, there are trials and challenges in becoming a good heli-logger.

Part of the worker's job is to go in after the trees are cut to secure a steel cable hanging from the chopper over the log, then direct the pilot who lifts the log and removes it from the area.

Wally Craig, safety manager at Coulson Forest Products, said that this type of logging is better because it helps keep the logs from being damaged as they are when transported in logging trucks. But it has an element of danger for the men.

Part of the men's training includes a classroom component and on-the-job training such as First Aid Level One, an industrial type of first aid with a transportation endorsement, which qualifies the worker to help transport a spinal cord-injured person on a stretcher. They also take forest fire training because of the terrain they are in, learn hand signals and job safety training such as types of reflective clothing and the rules they have to follow on the job.

The men also go through a series of physical strength and endurance tests.

"Heli-logging is considered the most demanding and dangerous job going in forestry, so good physical fitness is the key to safety, and for this company, safety is definitely not negotiable. Alertness, teamwork and pride in doing a good job are all what makes a person a good heli-logger. I found that a lot of people like to work with the Aboriginal people, particularly in the safety aspect of things, because they are very safety-conscious," said Craig.

Smith said that the challenge the workers face is staying out in the bush for 14 days, beginning their workday at 5 a.m. and working 12-hour shifts every day in rain, sleet or heat.

"The only time they will take a break during their time on the job is when there is fog in the area or during forest fire season from August to late September. On the other hand, some of the benefits for the workers include good pay and a sense of accomplishment.

"Having these trained workers from our communities is good for the economy, and for the workers it gives them a sense of self-esteem and morale. Our crew goes every where they are called on the island and they also go up to Alaska and work up there. Our guys are experienced, so they also train other workers. We are usually pretty busy," said Smith.