Stumped Spring 2006
Question: How do I know if I need to take a refresher course?
Answer: The ATFS inspector refresher course is for all inspectors who have already taken the initial face-to-face training. All inspectors must be trained to the 2004 – 08 AFF Standards of Sustainability (implemented July 2004)regardless of when your five (5) year inspector status expires. For instance, if you were trained in 2003, your inspector status would have been good until 2008. However, because the 2004 Standards were implemented,inspectors must take the refresher course to be considered up-to-date. ATFS is currently working to synchronize the training and the Standards development cycle. Your state may be offering refresher training courses in your area. Or, you may take the online refresher course by visiting www.atfsdatabase.org/training.You’ll need your inspector number and about an hour to complete the training.The refresher training course counts for 2 CFE credits.
Question: I’ve been assigned to inspect a property I’ve inspected less than 5 years ago. Why is that?
Answer: As you may already know, ATFS is implementing a national sampling system in 2006. Using statistical theory,we will be able to decrease the burden of inspections for those states that are resource challenged while increasing Tree Farm’s credibility in the certification world. Those states that are able to keep up with their five (5) year reinspections may choose to continue on the same reinspection cycle they have always had.Regardless of whether or not your state chooses to continue with the five (5) year reinspections or only inspect the properties required by the sample, all states will have a list of Tree Farms that were drawn as part of the national sample. It just may happen that one of these properties has been inspected recently. However, it is important to conduct the inspection in order to keep the sample statistically valid.This is one more reason why inspecting foresters are so important to ATFS. Thank you for your continued hard work!
