Nechama – Jewish Response to Disaster recently conducted its annual Chain Saw Training in the back woods of the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park. Eighteen participants took part in the three hour training designed to familiarize them with using a chain saw to clear trees and fallen brush. Nechama maintains an inventory of 13 saws that can be quickly deployed along with volunteers to the scene of a tornado disaster. Over the past two years Nechama has trained 31 people in chain saw safety and operating procedures. Gene Borochoff and Perry Witkin, both Nechama volunteer board members led the training. Borochoff told the group, “There is no such thing as a ‘small’ accident when it comes to a chain saw. One needs to be very disciplined in its use and constantly aware of what is going on around you.” For every one cutter, Nechama can deploy another 4-5 people to clear fallen wood and clean away brush. Nechama relies on its database of some 580 volunteers to respond to natural disasters around Minnesota throughout the spring and summer.