Circuit Rider Training Program Update – November 19, 2019
TSAG supports First Nations Created in response to a need for improved technical services and • supports for infrastructure, the organization has grown to also provide resources for housing, lands, and community engagement. Our goal is to build First Nation capacity and to deliver quality services • We aim to work with other service providers to ensure adequate support • for First Nations in Alberta
Governance and staff Established following a 1996 Chief’s Summit Resolution, TSAG has a Chiefs • Steering Committee with up to 9 representatives Members are put forward via the PTOs • TSAG’s Technical Board of Directors has up to 9 members, 3 from each of • the Treaty Areas 6, 7, & 8 Members are nominated and then approved by the Chiefs Steering Committee • TSAG staff have expertise in more over technical fields • Civil engineering, environmental engineering, building maintenance, road assessment • and maintenance, fire services, safety codes, Geographic Information System (GIS), environmental science, information technology and programming, solid waste management, UAV operations and, of course, Water and Wastewater Management
Funding structure TSAG is a federally incorporated non-profit organization which adheres to • incorporation requirements, including annual audits, etc. Programs are largely funded by federal programs • • Some programs are “National” and are delivered in every region by a different service provider, or by multiple service providers (CRTP, ACRS).
Service delivery model Profit is not the goal: TSAG can deliver quality services at a fraction of the • cost of other services providers Efficiencies gained through a centralized service model • • Maximize benefits to the First Nations by sharing resources and knowledge across departments • More comprehensive services and products without the additional cost First Nations own their information and we do not charge Nations for their • data
Communication and partnership TSAG is a networking resources that links First Nations to a variety • technical services and service providers TSAG notifies First Nation band offices, health centres, and public work • offices, as well as Tribal Council administrations about upcoming courses and events via fax as well as our email contact list, Facebook, and website Reports and maps generated for a First Nation are provided by email, file • transfer, or in person. Authorized representatives of a First Nation can contact TSAG for copies of any completed report or map.
Alberta’s CRTP Program • Under the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan, TSAG provides on-site, hands on training and mentoring services to water and wastewater operators to promote safe, clean drinking water and proper care of wastewater systems for our First Nations. TSAG also assists with Remote Water Monitoring Systems (RWMS) installation, calibration, • maintenance and repairs. TSAG’s CRTP Program Successes: 1) TSAG in-house training saves the Nation over $1,000.00 per course per operator (Based on outside contractor rates: • TSAG Training offered to Water/Wastewater Operators: – Introductory course for Water/Wastewater Systems Operators, Fire Hydrant Operations & Maintenance course.Courses delivered include Small Systems, Entry Level Training (ELT), Level 1 Preparation Courses (Water Distribution), Level 2 Preparation Courses, Hydrant Maintenance course, and a newly developed Math for Operators course • AWWOA Training offered to Water/Wastewater Operators: – Small Systems, Entry Level Training, Level I Certification & Preparation, Level II Water Treatment Preparation and Level II Water Distribution Preparation.
Alberta’s CRTP Program TSAG’s CRTP Program Successes Continued: 2) Our Circuit Riders have went through the TSAG program themselves; working within their own Nations and now assisting other Nations to become certified! Because our Circuit Rider Trainer’s have worked through the program, they understand the pressures, requirements and demands of the operators and can provide real-life examples and become the mentors for those operators coming up in the program and inspiring them 3) We are technical advisors on a Drinking Water Advisory (DWA) committee. The committee consists of Indigenous Services Canada, Environmental Public Health Services (formerly Health Canada) and TSAG. This team meets bi-weekly to discuss active advisories, remediation options /plans and updates on all active advisories. - This collaboration has increased information sharing (advisory types, etc.) but also site contact information, site operation and maintenance challenges & success as well as bringing everyone up to speed on what is happening in and around our communities 4) Since 2010, long term DWA’s on public and semi-public lands in Alberta have been reduced from 58 to 1, in 2019.
Alberta’s CRTP Program I n the last 2 years in Alberta: • A total of 4 regional pump houses have been commissioned – – 4 WTP’s have been commissioned, 4 WTP’s and 1 pumphouse are currently under construction, and – 1 WTP and 2 regional pump houses are in design. – Currently there are a total of 9 DWA’s in place here in Alberta, of which 6 of these DWA’s are • for semi public systems such as gas stations and community halls. Of the 3 public water systems DWA’s, 1 is a long term DWA which has a new WTP under construction for the remediation, the other 2 are short term DWA’s due to construction activities such as distribution systems pressure loss.
Source Water Protection Healthy water starts before the treatment plant Our Senior Aquatics Specialist and our Outreach Coordinator work • with First Nation youth, technicians and managers to promote healthy water and wastewater management Did you know? We have worked with 15 First Nations to develop Source Water • First Nations Protection Plans. are leading the way for SWPP We have supported source water risk mitigation actions in 15 First • development in Nations, including monitoring, education, clean-ups, and well Alberta! There inventories are more First Nation plans We provide outreach materials and presentations to an average of 20 • than municipal First Nation schools per year. plans. Our Environmental Youth Camp provides up to 20 First Nation • students with an immersive week of learning, career exploration, and outdoor adventure Our partnership with the Junior Forestry Rangers provides hands-on • water monitoring training for First Nation youth.
Data Management and Mapping Data is a powerful tool for infrastructure investment and community planning Our team of trainers and software developers work with First Nations to set a • path towards effective data management and use. Developing internal capacity for data management keeps more resources in • First Nation communities instead of paying third party providers for mapping, record-keeping, etc. We are currently working with First Nations in Alberta, Quebec, and the Atlantic • to implement electronic mapping and data management systems to streamline workflows for housing, public works, and lands departments. Did you know? A working group with representatives from seven First Nations informed the development of the data management software we use, called the LOUIS Toolkit
Contact Information: Monica Bradley Director of Technical Services mbradley@tsag.net 780-483-8601 Ext 130
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