Part 15 recap
So what do we have to do to get our FA Ticket? Joe says four evenings in one week the next day hopefully a Saturday you do your practical, then later that day you get your results I should add we have been getting a 98% rate for all our crew.
I get call from John to say please be ready to leave within an hour -- OK John I'll get my gear into the truck -- bye.
Well guys thanks for the interest and conversation, however I must get my gear together for my return home as I'm travelling with my super in his truck.
I promise I will see you all later.
Get my gear into the truck and by now it is raining well. John asks me how did you make out with the young guys, I said all there Dads as well. As you know we all had breakfast together and lots of discussion took place, covering FA Tickets and safety in general including dog tags explaining the purpose and who can access the information.
There was also questions about the young guys wearing hard hat's and once that was accepted I also covered boots and said when your guy is going to get the opportunity to work in the shop he mast have steel toed boots with steel inserts and should be at least10" high lace up's. It is my plan to take hard hats out to the young guys as soon as possible so to keep the ball rolling.
Well Joe you certainly have not wasted any time that is for sure, however I hope you had a good time at crew logging so where did you sleep Saturday night? Where else do you think in the bunkhouse with all the guys.
Joe now I have serious question to ask you and since you have proven to me that you can communicate easily with the young guys and now it look as if you are achieving the same thing with the Dad's. Now I have to clear this with Brent but how about becoming the safety & training officer for all the camps. As I see it right now you are doing that job and would like to make it official.
The radio goes, Brent to GS where are you? Just pulling into camp -- John please come and see me and bring Joe with you once you have unloaded - will do -- out.
I said to John I'm going to have a shower first as I smell of sex, John is laughing who would ever have guessed and give me 15 minutes with Brent, no problem Dad I still love you .
Dad has already gone to see Brent, whose first comment was where is Joe? He is taking a shower before coming over, anyway I want to talk to you and get your approval.
John lays out his thoughts and he hardly got started when Brent says go for it and make the salary same as the assistant superintendents.
It is interesting that we both have the same idea how did you come up with it? Well I was watching how Joe was working with the Dads of the young guys and was getting there full support and has covered already, dog tags and there purpose, FA Ticket, Hard Hats for the young guys, steel toed lace-up boots with steel inserts. It was interesting how the Dads were supporting Joe and thought it was a good idea as they put it a few simple things can make a place a lot safer.
There a knock at the door, Brent calls out come on in Joe or should I call you the safety / training officer Joe' mouth drops and is looking very surprised. Brent says you are doing that job and it is only right that you should be recognized for work you are doing. I'm going to pay you the same salary as paid to the assistant superintendents. Your salary is a confidently matter and then only ones that know are John & I, therefore what has been discussed stays with in these four walls. Joe's comments are firstly thank you for the honor and trust that you have put in me and I will do my best.
Brent then says so Joe I would like you to put together a overall plan on how you will go about training all the folk from Crew Logging to our ways of work but please bear in mind that your plan will become the standard training procedure for all crews and staff.
Joe suddenly remembers that the student graduation will be taking place next week and that his old school principle will be collected a couple of days ahead of the others. Brent says thanks I had totally forgotten that so I will do the collection of the directors from the distant learning and make arrangements for there rooms. Is the arrangement still for the school principle and his wife to use your house, I said yes very definitely.
The Wednesday came and went to town and collected my old school principle and his wife, I was pleases to see both were dressed in Jeans and good stout shoes. The welcome I got from both then was sort of over whelming and had to have a soup and sandwich lunch before leaving for our return trip.
We arrived at River Camp by about 3:00pm and took them to our house so they could freshen up etc and at the same time pass over to them the required safety gear after which I took them over to my office and showed them how we had grown on my wall map. We then commenced a tour of Mountain and camp Keith explaining to my guests that we had recently taken over what was called Crew Logging that was operated by two brothers Lyle & Keith.
At Camp Keith I introduced the young guys to my old school principle and they had an interesting discussion relating to school and there difficulties they were encountering; however at Joe's insistence they were following his suggestion of starting there school work right after there family breakfast and now were seeing results in there school marks coming up slowly.
My old school principle looked at me and said my I make comments relating to you Joe, sure please go ahead; Joe's marks when at regular school in town were good but on moving out of town Joe's marks really dropped and it was only after the school holidays did Joe's marks start to come up.
I thanked everyone for showing up and said we had to move on and meet others young guys.
Well by now it was getting time to return to camp and meet up with John, however first I gave my guests time to have a wash and brush up and then said come on over to the office in about 30 minutes as I was going to have a shower and general cleanup.
I meet up with John in the showers and got a good scrubbing and then quickly changed into some clean clothes returning to the office and was followed by John who had stocked up the frig with soft drinks and other goodies including Rum, Gin & Beer. A few moments later my guests arrive and John did the honors.
My old school principle says Joe it sure looks as if you enjoy your work, have you ever thought about working in town? I said I wouldn't do that now as I like the quietness at night plus we get some incredible night skies that are so beautiful, you simply go outside and sit on the rear patio tonight have no lights on and you will understand what I mean.
Next morning we meet up for breakfast at 8:00am, I had already asked Kia to make up a picnic basket and had included a bottle of white wine. My plans are to go to some active logging and then off the beaten track for lunch. I told both John and Jack of my plans, they both suggested our own log loading area and then go to Br 80 as you there are some good high spots for great views.
After breakfast I advise dispatch before we head out with guests to the log loading area. I explain to my guests that safety vests and hard hats must be worn once out of the truck. They found the log loading very interesting and the way the logs were handled onto the trucks. After this advised dispatch that we were headed for Br 80, I was notified the gate was already open and that GS had gone ahead and would be waiting for us at a suitable spot. We soon meet up with John and had a great lunch; Kia had done us proud as usual.
John's turn to ask questions, our guests asked a number of good questions and were impressed in the way things were handled in a semi-automatic way. I said you folk are getting the deluxe tour which the others will not be getting. John looked at his watch and said I think we should head for camp as I would expect Brent must be getting almost here. So while John is talking I give Brent a call on Ch#5 -- DR1 to DR7 your location please -- out A few moments later DR7 to DR1 we are about one hour out of camp -- thanks Brent -- out.
We get everything packed and head back, John goes first to meet up with everyone; I lock the gate and we take my guests back to our house so they my get cleaned up etc and advise them I will let them know what the plans are for everyone to meet up.
I go and find Brent who was in the office; he sees me and says come on in Joe; glad you are hear as I'm just about to explain to everyone my plans. Firstly we meet in the common room at the guest house for some pre-dinner drinks and a welcoming of our guests and explain that we are going to be enlarging our guest accommodation in about three months time. After our drinks we will go to the cookhouse for dinner and I have asked Kia for a nice table at the back so we are out of the way.
We then all retire back to the common room and go over to-morrow procedures followed by a ride to the community hall at Hillside -- any questions folks -- nothing came up so folks lets round our guests all up for a general get together say in 45 minutes time. Joe I will leave to you to let your guests know what is happening. Sounds good so I'm off and will meet up later -- thanks Joe.
I advised my guests of the plans and tell then I will collect then in 40 minutes time so if either of you wishes to wear something lighter on your feet no problem.
I take off head for the showers, I get my back scrubbed and a good shave and now feel much cleaner; While there Brent and John come in and do the same thing.
We all changed into lighter cloches and feel much cooler; I collected my guests and took them over to the guest house to join the others. I couple of the distant learning board asked about Sam and was he still hear, I said yes and recently his Mum & Dad are moving closer to town as they are both retiring but both there Son's declined the opportunity to move away and in fact they have a double room in the bunkhouse and are now well installed- very interesting.
Well Sam has taken his brother into town now that he has a truck and bike license, however I can see Peter who is two years younger will be riding once he graduates next year as his dad has promised him a dirt bike as a graduation gift, and I expect he will have to get his own riding gear the same way as Sam had to. The are both really nice young men and well like by the crew who told his folks when they announce there retirement -- the crew said don't worry about your sons we will see they stay on the straight and narrow as they are all part of the family.
There several rounds of drinks served plus a few munchies.
Brent said ladies and gentlemen it is time for dinner so let's please walk next door for Dinner as I'm sure Kia our cook will have done something nice for all of us to enjoy. We operate on a self serve method so you only take what you need and can always come back for more so folks please follow me.
Very soon everyone is at the table; those that ordered steak were told it will be brought to them once it is ready. Kia produced some nice chilled wine to go with our meal, most finished up with ice-cream with a ginger topping for desert.
After our meal some had coffee or tea. There was a discussion on to-morrows activities and all the guests were transported by crew truck called a crumby this took everyone and headed out for Gully, Hillside group and Lyles logging. We finished up at Lyle's camp and got things setup ready for the evening function with four students graduating. Two from Keith's Camp and one from Lyle's Camp, the other from Hillside. The DVD projector was also made ready.
Keith's Camp cook did a great meal of roast beef and all the trimmings at which not only the board enjoyed, the grads also got there share.
The ceremony started after the meal was completed, the video's went down well and were greeted by many rounds of applause from those present. Finally the certificates of graduation were handed out and each one had been asked ahead of time to have a small speech ready for presentation to everyone present.
Everything went very well and afterwards folks mingled and the cook had prepared some small munchies and the company supplied plenty of beer. Part of the way a couple of the Dads said, folks we would like to thank those that put this function on and how sensible to hold it on site and we hope the Board of Directors for the Distant Learning will do the same thing for other remote locations as it allows the parents to attend and we strongly favor the no dressing up rule on which we all know costs the parents one heck of a lot of money for a one night stand.
It was my old school principle who stood and said, folks you really have Joe and Sam here to thank for this as Joe did his schooling at regular school until he was 13 yrs old and due to family problems he transferred to join with his Dad at River Camp. The school I had charge of then one day Joe stopped bye prior to his graduation and I asked him to please consider giving a short talk on how things had changed for him on moving to the bush and also did he know Sam Hick's his answer was I know a Sam but do not know his surname. Ultimately Joe agreed but asked that they be dressed in Jeans and Tee shirts and to show a video which they gave me the opportunity to look over before it was presented. I gave my blessing on the video, between them them the introduction and then ran the video which was very well received. They both got a lot of applause for there efforts which was both entertaining and provide a good insight to his new life and yes Joe had serious problems with his school work after he moved and by a simple remedy he got his act together and then got others to try this idea out with great success
Joe has told me since that he would never live in town again as he enjoys the remoteness and loves to sit outside after dark and watch the stars.
Another one of the Dads put his hand up and asked do you by any chance have a copy of that video with you if yes please run it. They were told that the video was not only Joe & Sam's efforts but this whole section of the grad function and give me a few moments to let me find it.
Well it was run and it was the first time that either Joe or Sam had seen this version; it was meet by astounding approval by all present.
Brent now said, I think everyone should adjourn outside as our new grads are going out into the bush for a sleep out over night now that they are all young men.
Folks don't have any fear Joe and I know where to find them, please just wish them all a good night and may be a rain free night; go and enjoy yourself the whole lot of you.
Once everyone had basically left and gone home I changed in to my riding gear and John gave me a hand to get my bike off his truck and so armed with a bottle of scotch and my swag I headed into the hills and joined up with the grads, not to spoil there fun but to ensure there safety. They were all aware of my plans; there spot was close to a waterfall that provided good drinking water and the means of showering.
Once I arrived I also found both Lyle & Keith there but staying out of the way however they had a good view of the proceedings. We all had a good night and woke up about 8:00am mostly with sore heads. I got a stove going to make tea and to dish out aspirin to those that needed it.
Once everyone was cleaned up but not a bright as they might be we all headed back to river camp for breakfast with the other guests and so ended a great weekend. My last job was to take home my guests but Brent said he had plenty of room and would take them back to town -- frankly I was grateful for the offer.
The rest of the day was sort of a washout, John said to me come on lets go for a ride up BR 80 so I got my gear on Dad did the same and we both grabbed a couple of ginger ales a piece. We got to our spot and found Sam there so we all got talking about the grad do and how he had enjoyed himself. Like me he had never seen before the school version of the event and I said, I will ask for a DVD copy then I can make copies for you as well. Sam said he was taking off and returning to camp as he had laundry to do and would leave us alone in private.
Well that afternoon we had a quiet pleasant time together until our radio was triggered on Ch#5 John answered GS to DR7 what can we do for you Brent, are you home by any chance no we are both out in the bush relaxing -- op's sorry to disturb you both but when you get home please phone me this evening -- out DR7 no problem -- out.
Later that afternoon we headed back as it looked stormy and didn't really want to get soaked; we had just filled up and parked our bikes under cover when the heavens opened up.
The ladies had been in and re-done our house ready for us, on the table in the kitchen was a bottle of over proof rum for saying thank you for the use of the house and please visit us next time we are in town and as John put it a very nice gesture.
Once the rain stopped we collected our gear from the bunkhouse and we were now back to normal. It was also time for supper and then the phone call to Brent, a quick shower and change of clothes and then supper. Neither of us were very hungry so just a light supper of soup and sandwich.
John said I should be there when the phone call was being made so we headed for the office which on a Sunday is very private and got Brent on the speaker phone.
John asked do you wish Joe to hear this conversation as he is with me and we have you on the speaker phone -- that is good John and Joe may have some input to my thoughts but firstly sorry about talking work on a Sunday -- no problem said John.
First job I want you to do is find an assistant for mountain camp you have been successful in finding the right man in the past and hopefully Gully camp may have a suitable man. I will get sent to you all the personnel files for all the camps and we will arrange in the future to keep both copies here in town plus your copy. You had better look for a suitable size filing cabinet that I request you keep locked at all times. Now if we need to enlarge the office accommodation at the time of renovation lets do it because Joe will need all the young guys' records readily at hand. Just remember we now have eight separate camps. Joe says that reminds me, what has happened about the lottery to select a suitable name for the Hillside camps -- thanks Joe I had forgotten all about that.
John please follow that up ASAP. Now that the BBQ has taken place and Keith and Lyle have made there announcement we need to put out an internal memo to all the crews welcoming Crew Logging to our family.
Brent say's I will put out an announcement re your promotion and also that of Joe's extended duties which I list, please both of you check this list to make sure I have covered everything. I'll send a copy for your consideration first thing in the morning so please deal with it quickly.
From both of you I would like to hear your plan of campaign especially Joe's and in which order he is going to work on related to safety.
Thanks guys for listening to my ramblings and sorry I disturb your Sunday -- good night and I hope to out there again shortly.
We finally got home and both got stripped off right down to our jock straps, John opened the bottle of over proof rum and added it to a tumbler of hot water and brown sugar -- I must say it went down really well, we both had a second one as the rain came tumbling down again. I said to Dad this is not the night but you and I must go out in the wet one day and get really muddy -- Dad is laughing and says you really do want some fun, well there are times when we both need to let our hair down and enjoy our self's.
Come on Joe I think we both need to go to bed and get a good nights sleep, yes you're right as basically I had little sleep; well you put your hand up to keep an eye on things and bye the way was there lots of bonding taking place -- oh yes they all performed well and I got my fair share as well.
We both have a quick shower and are soon in bed and I said Dad don't be concerned if I get up early, there is a chuckle from Dad well we may both be on the job early.
It does not take long and we are both asleep very quickly; about 4:30 am nature calls and I need to have a good pee and a crap, by the time I'm finished I decide to get up make a pot of strong tea as Dad walks into the kitchen. He sits down at the table while I'm making notes for later; I list everything I can think of then another mouthful of tea which really tastes good, looking in the cupboard and find we have some biscuits there so I rummage through the selection and grab a couple, Dad in the meantime departs and heads for the office to check his Email.
I start numbering my subject in the order that needs to be attended to like FA ticket being number one followed by Dog Tags for all, check all hard hats are up to date and change them for Woodsman Logging, make sure all crews are using hi-vis safety vests or better still hi-vis shirts.
Meet with all crews for safety meeting and discuss any problems that may have occurred this to include any dispatch riders and traffic control that are associated with this group
Ask if there any areas of concern, do site visits un-announced.
Prepare a weekly report on our young folk school work so will need indication from Distant Learning how the guys are doing.
Run once a year the orientation of the young guys who want to work during the summer school vacation period, get them supplied with shop overalls that are light blue with florescent stripping explain why they are not the orange and yellow ones due to the dirty conditions. To include end of day laundry and getting well scrubbed up two clothing lockers dirty for boots a spare set of coveralls and work gloves, clean locker for good clothes shaving gear etc.
Take them on a trip to the working log loading area; then finally start them off in the shop under the chief mechanic's supervision. Check on them via the chief mechanic and also afterwards talk to the guys concerned.
Apprenticeships' let it be known that there may a limited number of apprenticeship available however they may have to move to another camp but all within Woodsman Logging's operations.
I get everything into an Email ready to send to Brent but first let John read it for his input; John like my thinking and says go for it -- Email sent to Brent with a copy to John.
I make enquiries on how to get the dog tags made up on site as against having a third party do them for us. My costing for making dog tags turns out to be easier than expected as all we need is a web cam, and special printer using our own blanks. With relation to bar codes you can have enough for 500, 1,000 or 50,000 plus the software to control the system -- total cost for 50,000 was $500.00 and software another $650.00; printer and webcam roughly $200.00. I found out that last year bill was for $1200.00 so it sure makes sense to me to have our own equipment for this job.
We need a small stock of Hi-Vis shirts which we can issue the first one but others they buy? And at the same time issue hard hats and ear muffs
I start to layout a more detailed plan that will be common to all and must look at new employee indoctrination and our company safety requirements, followed by will they have any family with them is so explain bunkhouse accommodations.
If new employee has a young son, then explain about schooling via Distant Learning make sure they have there own laptop for there schoolwork; safety requirements as related to the young folk and the limited area in which they may go during working hours.
Go over FA Tickets and dog tags and these as worn by all including the young folk and the reason for them.
Take the new employee on a tour of the area they will be working in and meet the crew; time this for the lunch break period.
Always give the new employee plenty of time to ask questions. If they have a young guy with them get all the details including age etc plus next of kin. We want all out young folk over the age of seven to be wearing Hi-Vis shirts, blue jeans. Boots and hard hats and will get them meet all the young folk on the camp where there Dad will be working.
Briefly mention that once work is over what they do in there spare time is there own affair, and don't be surprised if during the night you need the bathroom and head there many of the guys sleep in the nude.
In the interests of hygiene all work gear goes into the laundry every day and we all take it in turns to do this job.
This company is a family and we all look after each other -- we hope you enjoy working here and if you find something is unsafe please let the man in charge on the site know ASAP so no one gets hurt.
Last but least, this camp is a dry camp; however on special occasions we do allow beer, this could be for your sons graduation or some other special occasion.
If they have a son on site then go over our method to improve school marks and recommend they join you every morning for breakfast this way it becomes a family breakfast and then your son start there school work and hopefully they will have everything completed for that days assignment by lunch time.
I get John to go over all of my proposals and get his input; John's comment was I'm sure this will get expanded as time goes on but send what you have to Brent for his input.
Joe give that work a break and come with me please and let's look at file cabinet accommodations, after looking closely we both agree we should provide more space for the files.
They both go for soup and sandwich lunch, after which Joe is going to Camp Lyle just to check up on the young guys and see how they are doing in relation to there school work and John is heading for Hillside #1. Joe finds all the young guys doing school work and asks if they are having any problems. They all say no and were just wrapping up for the day, I complimented them all for being dressed in there Hi-Vis gear and using there hard hats. Young Peter said well John here would have most likely been taken to hospital the other day as a chunk of wood came off a passing truck and smacked him on the head making quiet a noise.
John let me have a look at your hard hat please, I examine it and see a small crack in the shell -- said this hat must be replaced right now and I show them why. Come with me please John and we will get you a replacement hat, so I take him over to the office and luckily find they had some more orange hard hats right there. OK John your replacement, so you now all can see why I insist on you wearing hard hats as at first I know you really didn't like the idea but now I'm going to show this old hat to others in an aid to get the point over.
Please let your Dad's what happened as I know they support me on this one. Now the next thing is your FA Ticket, the next course will be two months time and I expect you all to take this, you will not be alone for this as your Dad's will hopefully be joining up with you all. So please get your names on the list by seeing the lady in the office -- thanks guys and very happy none of you wear hurt either.
Bye for now, and don't forget if you need to ask questions I'm always free to talk to you.
On my way home I'm looking around at the general view and have come up with two names for the Hillside Camps #1 becoming "Little River" and #2 "Scraggy Peaks".
Over supper that night John and I talking and I ask, well did anything come up from the renaming lottery; John regrettably nothing; Well I have two names #1 Camp to become "Little River" and #2 would be "Scraggy Peaks"; John says I like it but how did you come up with those names, well just by looking around on my way home from Camp Lyle -- John is laughing and says that is what it will be.
After supper we both went for a walk to stretch our legs and it was then I told John about the near miss that young Peter experienced the other day and then asked is there such a thing as miniature gold hard hat say mounted on a plague; John said yes he had seen them some where and it was a good question for Brent to research in town. Brent has been notified about the hard hat replacement and starting to-morrow the respective AS will be doing a check on all hard hats to make sure all is OK at Camp Keith.
I will to-morrow be going to Camp Keith taking the damage hat with me and show it to all the young guys and show the importance of there use.
Brent please get ordered one dozen orange hats and four dozen bright red ones for the crew as suspect some hats may be out of date.
I will come to town to collect once we know they are in town unless you are coming this way.
Message from Brent, I will deliver new replacement hard hats on Thursday -- Brent.
FA Tickets, I was lucky to get two instructors and everyone at both Camp Lyle & Keith had signed including the ladies. I need two volunteers' to assist, so I ask Sam if he would help out and he willing agreed, so Sam took Camp Keith and I took Camp Lyle therefore we both stayed at the respective camps for the week.
It was a very successfully course with a 100% passing rate in both camps and by this time everyone had there dog tags and were shown where to attach the FA sticker.
At both these camps Sam and I were asked the same question, would the company object it there younger sons used Hi-Vis shirts and hard hats; both our answers were the same. If it saves someone's life or reduces there injujy go for it. However we do not want to see any fives year old or younger on the roads they need to stay home during the day time as there re-actions are much slower. There was general agreement on that one
The time had come to have them all together for one day and to say how please we all were in them getting the school marks well up and no one was below a 90% average, those that want to work I would like to move over to the left-hand side during there school summer vacation period, and suggested the others could stay or go with there counter parts for a tour of River Camp but not into the shop. But all to be back here for there rides home
Those that signed up for work I visited the respective camps over the next couple of days and got them orientated with the respective chief mechanic's and so life goes on in Woodsman Logging and the general acceptance by all the crew at all our camps simply made it a very large family.
All structural alterations were carried out on the office building and provided a good meeting place that was private. The relocation of our house took place while we still lived there. In its old spot the new guest house was built with a new home for ourselves which once completed we moved into our new accommodation and the old home was totally redecorated to Ken and his wife's choices and they were able to move in. His wife told us she really liked the views and the space between the homes here and provided a much more relaxing atmosphere where Ken could unwind after work.
The end