Page 24 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Second Quarter 2022

PROLOGGER PULSE
Q:How did you get into logging initially?
A: This is interesting! Before coming to Forestry Mutual Insurance Company
in 1996, I was the President of the New York logger-training program. That group
is similar to ProLogger here in NC and the SHARP logger-training program in Virginia. While getting our program up and going, we used some ideas that North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine were using for their programs. At that time in my career, I was still cutting timber every day and doing training on the side when I had availability. In 1996, I came down south to work for
the North Carolina Forestry Association self-insured fund, which is now Forestry Mutual Insurance Company. At that time, I was responsible for training our customers in NC. Today, I train loggers in six different states. What a ride it has been!
Bryan Wagner trains new ProLoggers at the Piedmont training class in 2021.
What is your role in forestry in NC? What does your job entail?
A:My role is logging safety training. My day-to-day job is to train timber
cutters and chainsaw operators or users of non-mechanized equipment. I do a lot of different safety training for users
of mechanized equipment also, including operators of feller bunchers, skidders, and loaders. I also help with the different states’ training programs, which includes the NCFA’s ProLogger program.
Q:What do you like about the program? What do you see as
benefits to ProLogger?
A:The program is strong because of the three pillars of safety, environment,
and business. These three aspects have been the strength of the program since 1994. This is one great program!
Q:What are the most important things about ProLogger you want
our membership to remember?
A:I’m biased on this question.
The safety section of the program is very strong. Our safety material and
teaching techniques are constantly updated and refreshed to prevent injuries in the woods or on the road. It is ultimately my job to provide my people the tools to go home safely.
Again, what a ride this has been!
Q:
22 ncforestry.org / SECOND QUARTER 2022
PROLOGGER Q&A:
Bryan Wagner, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company
By Mike Powell, Director of Forestry Programs