New and returning seasonal employees pose for a group photo during orientation and training at Marquette Biological Station. - FWS photo

Danya Sanders, Ludington Biological Station, demonstrates safe procedures for operating a vehicle winch. - FWS photo

Seasonal staff at both Marquette and Ludington Biological Stations entered duty on April 16, 2007.   

All employees went through the two-week training and orientation program for new, returning, and permanent staff, before beginning of the 2007 field season. 

A number of permanent staff led the training sessions which included required training in CPR/AED/First Aid, Defensive Driving, Pesticide Certification, HazCom, computer security, ethics, motorboat operator re-certification, GPS, forklift certification,  and QAQC. Training also included a multitude of safety topics including PPE, water, winch, hearing, eyes, shop, lyme disease, and poison ivy (just to name a few). 

New seasonal staff also received initial medical surveillance physicals and physical capability tests to fulfill a final condition of employment.