Technical Services

Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council

Technical Advisory Services performs professional technical work for the affiliated AKRC communities and manages the overall function of the Technical Services Department within the Tribal Council. The Technical Advisory Services department assists and advises the communities in various capacities and functions pertaining to works such as housing, community infrastructure, community development and reports, capital planning, minor and major capital projects, operations and management, inventory management, training and capacity development.

The Technical Services department participates in the following programs and services:

  • Housing Services
  • AANDC Reporting
  • AKRC Fire Services
  • Waste Management
  • AKRC HUB Services
  • Other (see below)

For more information on the Technical Services Department please contact Cullen Robb.

Other Services

  • Advise and Coordinate Projects in Conjunction with the Established Comprehensive Community Capital Planning Studies.
  • Assist with the Project Management of Minor Capital Projects.
  • Maintain Current Reference Documents and Technical Resources for Advisory Services.
  • Maintain Technical Project Library for Long Term Storage and Reference Purposes.
  • Co-ordinate Special Initiatives and Training Opportunities with Communities.

Housing Services

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation Programs

  • CMHC Section 95 New Housing Program.
  • Physical Condition Reviews (PCR’s) for Section 95 Housing.
  • Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).
  • RRAP Disability Program.
  • Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence Program (HASI).
  • Coordinate CMHC Training Opportunities in the AKRC Communities.

Band Housing Projects

  • Provide Plan Reviews for Code Compliance, Construction Methods and Site Integration.
  • Conduct Housing Inspections for new Construction and Renovations.
  • Provide Work Descriptions for Remedial Work and Renovations.
  • Assist with the Maintenance and Balancing of Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV’s).
  • Advise and Train First Nation Staff on Technical Matters.
  • Assist with Band Housing Maintenance and Maintenance Planning Strategies.

AANDC Reporting

Annual INAC Community Development Reports Pertaining to Operation and Maintenance Activities

a) Integrated Capital Management System (ICMS).

  • ACRS Projects Annual Report Inspections (As per Triennial ACRS Below).
  • Community Infrastructure and Housing Annual Report.
  • Ongoing Updating of Inventory Collection and Verification of Capital Assets into ICMS.

b) Triennial ACRS Reports.

  • Project Management and Administration from Start to Completion.
  • Requirement for Each AKRC Community Every Three Years.
  • Coordinate Identified Health and Safety Requirements in the Communities.

Advisory Services for Yearly INAC Community Core Capital Projects

a) Assist with the First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan – Annual Update (FNIIP).

  • Assist / Prepare the Investment Plan Allocation Template.
  • Assist / Prepare the Formula Based Project Descriptions and Environmental Reviews.
  • Assist / Prepare the Proposal Driven Project Descriptions for Minor/Major Capital Requests.

b) Assist / Prepare Certificates of Completion for Capital Projects under FNIIP.

c) Certify Environmental Screening Report and Environmental Compliance Report.

d) Assist in the Completion of Enhanced O&M Funding (Water/Sewage Treatment) FNWWAP Annual Report.

AKRC Fire Services

The Fire Services program delivers the following Fire Safety Programs: Fire Extinguisher Training, Fire Prevention Week, Fire Safety Inspections, Fire Investigation, Young Fire Setter Prevention, Fire Safety Resource Distribution, and the Fire Safety Contest for Community Schools

The program is responsible to provide direct technical and advisory services to the Resource Council and member First Nations. To develop, implement and monitor volunteer fire departments and increase general awareness of fire safety and prevention issues in the community and its respective organizations.

Services Offered include:

  • Assess, identify and recommend to Band Councils/Fire Chief on the performance, equipment and training needs of each community.
  • Deliver approved training to volunteer fire departments relating to structural fire fighting and prevention.
  • Maintain adequate training materials and records of training provided from developed Fire Prevention Education Program.
  • Conduct fire safety inspections to identify any potential/existing hazards
  • Assist First Nations to develop and/or update community Emergency disaster plans
  • Evaluates, approves and enforces documents pertaining to fire safety plans and fire development proposals.
  • Reviews and assists in building plans for compliance with relevant Codes and Standards.
  • Conducts/Assists with HRSDC inspections of new or renovated public community buildings.

A Message from Fire Prevention Services

Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council Fire Prevention is encouraging everyone not to forget about Fire Safety. Please remain vigilant in preventing unintentional fires and injuries by practicing fire prevention and fire safety. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a fire extinguisher, a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

  • Always save the instructions that come with the alarms for testing and maintenance. Test alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries are made to work for 10 years. If alarm “chirps,” it is a warning that the battery is low. Replace the alarm with a new one. For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or if they do not respond when tested. Look on the back of the alarm for the date.
  • Replace combination sensor smoke/carbon monoxide alarms according to the instructions that come with the alarms.

The theme for Fire Prevention week 2021 is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”

Please refer to the Office of the Fire Marshal for further information.

Miigwech and stay safe!

Fire Safety Resources provided through www.NFPA.org/education on common items found in households. For more Fire Safety posters regarding other items, please visit their website. Download PDF versions of posters by clicking each image.

AKRC Hub Department

The AKRC Technical Advisory Services department was able to successfully obtain funding to launch the AKRC Hub department. This new technical unit will be staffed with Provincially certified water treatment plant operators who will be able to support our community water treatment systems and operators and provide Operator in Charge (OIC) and Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) services to ensure that the WTPs are in compliance with regulatory requirements. The AKRC Hub will provide the following core services to our communities:

  • 24/7 remote monitoring via an OIC/ORO from the HUB to ensure facilities are operated in accordance with regulations
  • Provide 24/7 hotline for operator technical assistance and implement a 3 staged call out protocol (1. Operator informs Hub Manager or OIC of the emergency. 2. Hub Team collectively prepares to mitigate emergency. 3. Hub Team deploys and assists in removing the emergency condition and restoring the WT system back to a normal operating condition.)
  • Provide a detailed assessment of the present condition of all water treatment plants, with an estimated cost to upgrade these facilities to standards and remote monitoring capability for any systems not seeing major capital upgrades
  • Track the status of plants, track trending and predict issues in advance
  • Coordinate the annual training plans for operators under the ISC OCSET and CRTP programs
  • Aid in operator recruitment and assist with the advancement of their certifications through operator training action plans and OIC/ORO mentoring
  • Maintain and collect water quality data for review and reporting purposes
  • Assist with the removal of drinking water advisories
  • Assist with developing and implementing Maintenance Management Programs (MMPs) where none exist
  • Assist with developing and implementing Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) where none exist
  • Assist with preventative maintenance scheduling
  • Coordinate annual ACRS repairs and inspections from the technical services department
  • Conduct reporting and corrective action for adverse results
  • Instruct operators on maintaining the water distribution system including unidirectional flushing, fire hydrant maintenance and repair, valve maintenance and repair, leak detection and repair, and service line maintenance and repair.
  • Provide monthly and operational status reports for Chief and Councils and Band Managers for review
  • Compile a resource library and key documentation for all systems and infrastructure including “as built” drawings, repair logs, shop drawings, vendor data, etc.
  • Compile resource sharing opportunities for things such as critical spare parts, and equipment for repairs, trouble shooting, and emergency situations
  • Create and maintain a Hub equipment & spare parts inventory listing
  • Integrate into the ongoing water treatment plant construction projects as a project team member and review key documents such as operator training action plans (OTAP’s) and O&M costing estimates which require immediate attention

For more information on the HUB department, please contact Phil Tangie