October 5, 2022
Welcome to Bullet Points, our news & events email!
Safety Rule Reminders
Reminder 1: The first member present on any range is the Acting Enforcement Officer and is responsible for ensuring compliance of other members with the Facility Rules. This responsibility continues until they depart or it is delegated to another member. Upon their departure, the Acting Enforcement Officer responsibility moves to the next longest-attending member on that range.

Reminder 2: When an unsafe practice is observed, it is the responsibility of the observing member to call a ceasefire and refer the issue to the Acting Enforcement Officer for resolution. Only upon resolution may live fire resume.
Safety - it's a shared responsibility

An important implication of Reminders 1 & 2 is that safety is both a personal responsibility - each member is individually responsible for knowing and following the Facility Rules and the rules of safe firearms use - and a shared responsibility - when an unsafe situation is observed each member is required to call a ceasefire and ensure the situation is resolved.

Most issues can be resolved between members on-scene in a mutually respectful manner.

Organizationally, we review the security camera footage and refer safety situations to the Member Disciplinary Committee for review and action. We also act on situations reported through the Incident Reporting Form. But, we can't be everywhere and can't see everything which is why it is critical that we all work together to ensure safe range conditions.
Shotgun range spring throwers
Please ensure that when you are done with the spring throwers on the shotgun range that you leaved them uncocked.

Leaving them in a cocked state increases the risk of injury for the next member should they be inadvertently tripped while they are getting set up.
Membership sales now closed
Membership sales closed on October 1 (three quarters of the year have passed).

2023 renewals for existing members will open on December 1. Sales of new memberships will open on January 1.
Level 1 Chainsaw safety course
Offered by professionals from Southbrook Safety, this course will provide instruction on the skills and safe practices required for saw operation and maintenance.

This one day (6.5 hour) course will cover:
  • Saw handling
  • Safe Starting Techniques
  • Fueling & Fire Prevention
  • Personal Protective Equipment, Clothing and other related equipment
  • Occupational Health & Safety Regulation When Using a Chainsaw (local/provincial)
  • Saw Breakdown and Daily Maintenance
  • Chainsaw Sharpening & Cleaning in the Field
  • Basic Push-Pull-Kick
  • Cuts
  • Forces and Reactions in the Wood
  • Emergency Response Plan

Everything will be provided, including saws and safety equipment. All you need is gloves and CSA-approved safety glasses. You are free to bring your own saw if you choose.

Cost: $150/person for SPFGA members + $50 for course materials and certification card
Facility & Safety Orientation required for everyone in 2023
Starting with renewals for 2023, members will be required to complete an updated and expanded Facility and Safety Orientation course consisting of online modules and a test in order to maintain an active electronic gate access card. This will then be repeated on a three year cycle. The purpose of this is to keep the rules fresh in everyone's minds & keep everyone on top of rule changes.

From our review of the security cameras, we see that rule infractions are not limited to new shooters or new members - they are equally an issue with long time members as well. Maintaining a high level of awareness of the facility rules will benefit everyone.

Renewing members will have until February 15 to complete the online course. For members unsuited to online completion, we will have a number of in-person sessions available. However, space in these sessions will be limited, so we encourage everyone to use the online format if at all possible.

More information regarding the specifics will be coming in future communications. Meanwhile, we wanted you to be aware well in advance that this was coming.
Wild game processing & sausage making course
Wild game processing & sausage making course

Interested in learning how to process your own game meat and make sausage?

The NAIT Continuing Education department is offering a course on basic meat cutting where you will learn to separate quarters of sides of pork into primal, sub-primal and subsequent retail cuts. You will also learn to masterfully prepare your own handmade fresh and smoked sausages.

Course topics include:
  • Basic meat cutting techniques and skills
  • Seasoning & spices
  • Curing and smoking
  • Sanitization and cleaning
  • Operating equipment including sausage stuffer, meat grinder, and portable smoker
SPFGA Gear Shop
Did you know we have our own gear shop with SPFGA-branded merchandise?

Check out the SPFGA Gear Shop for SPFGA-branded apparel from our Entripy store front.
These Did You Know? articles were suggested by members as a source of quick reminders, highlight specific rules & briefly explain their reasoning.

Did you know that the full text of the Facility Rules can be accessed using the QR code on the signs in the range sheds and throughout the property?
We've also put a printed copy of these rules in a binder on the facility too. (We actually have to do this by law.) You can find them in the kiosk where the first aid kit and lost and found box are located between the Big Bore and Rimfire range sheds.

In the case of disagreement between these printed rules and the website, the rules on the website are to be taken as correct, (they're the most up to date).
Facebook
Discussion Group
Please come and join our members-only Facebook discussion group, The Ketchamoot Discourse, a place where SPFGA members can talk with each other or the Board.

Head on over and take a look. See you there!
Looking for the Acknowledgement button? There isn't one on Bullet Points - it's Safe and Sound, our facility safety and system message stream, that has those.

Having trouble viewing or think you might have missed some issues of Bullet Points? Please contact the office. To see all past issues of Bullet Points, visit the archive on the website.