President’s Letter by Kathy Keeney 

Every year, we seem to gain more work in the heat of summer than at any other time of the year - and this year is no exception.  However, with the exceptionally warm weather comes the very real threat of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

This last week saw the loss of a young man in the Louisville area who worked in a similar service industry to heat stroke, or hyperthermia.  His internal body temperature was over 110 degrees when they could register it.  His co-workers got him to help once he showed disorientation, but it was already too late for him.  It doesn't take much to have the heat take its toll on the human body, and unfortunately, it happens quickly to those who aren't aware of methods to keep themselves cooler during hot days. 

How many of you are working every day without getting the proper amount of fluids to replace what you lose to the weather? Are you taking in a minimum of a gallon of fluids a day? Are you avoiding highly caffeinated and heavily sugared drinks for the better option of water to keep you hydrated? Are you supplementing with electrolytes to replace the potassium and magnesium your body is losing daily at an alarming rate? Are you drinking water to flush the excess sodium these electrolyte drinks have in them to balance what you need? Are you using a cool damp cloth around your neck to keep your body cooler?  Keep hyperthermia at bay - and stay safe in this heat!

And what of operational safety?  I know it's brutally hot out there - but are you wearing your safety chaps when operating a chainsaw on the ground? Is it properly strapped in place?  Is the chainsaw brake in place when you move from one cut to another if it's more than 3 steps?  Do you cut from the uphill side if possible when trimming out logs to prevent the log from rolling onto you?

These are just a few of the safety standards we all should practice daily, not just because they are good practice, but because we are PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED individuals with ISA.  There are those out there who refuse to operate safely, and endanger others on a daily basis because of their lack of training or understanding.  Don't become a statistic on a page - if you aren't sure of what the safety standards are, or if you need a brush-up on some of the finer points, check out the ANSI Z-133.1 -  2006 edition.

Also new out as of July is ANSI 300 (PART 9) 2011 Edition, on Tree Risk Assessment, which leads me to our training we're hosting in 2 different sessions this October.  TRACE - Tree Risk Assessment and Certification Exam - will be offered on October 17-18, and again on October 19-20 in Northern Kentucky at the Boone County Extension Service.  It's a limited offering - each class is limited to 20 people each, and is being taught by Terry Flanagan from the Pacific Northwest Chapter.  This Certification is good for a minimum of 4 years, and will be an integral part of how ISA will be gearing towards informational Certification trainings rather than the more passive CEU route they have utilized in the past.  By offering classes with an exam component, arborists learn better and retain the information more easily than just through a lecture situation.  Again, this is another aspect of improving who we are and what we do in our profession.  The TRACE Course has not been offered in our region, or anywhere close, ever.  We at KAA are providing this opportunity to help you hone your skills and learn to be the best there is to offer.  Take advantage of what we will have here locally before others from outside our area fill up these two courses! 

We are also in the midst of our lineup for the Annual meeting in early November - be prepared for great speakers and a hands-on component that will help you learn how best to service your clients, whether they are commercial, municipal, or utility.  Come join us in Northern Kentucky for an information packed time!

Be safe, stay cool - and remember, the possibility of frost filled mornings is only 6 weeks away!

Kathy Keeney

KAA President

Late Breaking News: It is with deep regret that we receive the resignation of Terry Stamper as KAA’s President-Elect.