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Alan Kavanaugh is the Director of Loss Control & Risk Management at Noratek Solutions Inc. in Prince George. Since 1986, Alan has provided risk-management services to pulp mills, sawmills, school districts, school divisions, and municipalities throughout western Canada. He has specialized training and experience in fire-protection system analysis, playground audits, and developing fire-safety plans. He is an active member of the NFPA, ASTM, NFC (National Fire code) as well as the CSA standard committee Z614 – Playgrounds.
From playgrounds and trails to sports fields and recreation centers, Parks and Recreation departments are at the heart of community life. But with tight budgets, limited staff, and aging infrastructure, small municipalities face growing pressure to maintain safe, functional spaces—without burning out their teams or breaking the bank. The good news? Smarter risk management is within reach, and it starts with better inspections and better tools.
Managing costs is a top priority for small local governments, especially when juggling limited resources across multiple departments like parks, facilities, public works, permits, and fire safety. With the right digital tools, municipalities can streamline their processes, enhance efficiency, and ultimately reduce operational costs. CityReporter Software provides a comprehensive solution to help local governments maintain compliance, improve communication, and simplify asset management. Here's how departments can leverage this technology to cut costs and optimize resources.
Wildfires have become a growing concern worldwide. With each passing year, we are increasingly confronted with the challenges posed by these destructive forces and strive to minimize the risk of potentially devastating wildfires.
Understanding risks and hazards is fundamental to an effective risk management process. CityReporter provides a comprehensive solution for developing a reporting system and monitoring conditions, enabling timely performance evaluations.
January 18th, 2024 - Recently, there have been multiple reported incidents involving electric scooters, cellphones, and various devices powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, where they have overheated or burst into flames during operation or charging. As Lithium-Ion batteries are extensively used in devices like Electric Vehicles due to their charging capacities, it is crucial for all owners and operators to be aware of specific concerns associated with their use.
Introduction
Children have learned through playing with nature since the beginning of time, climbing trees, making tree houses, running through leaves, and digging in the sand. Modern thinking is that natural play of this kind should be encouraged as it contributes to overall fitness, coordination, and self-discipline. It also helps with concentration, emotional development, and imagination. There are also benefits to exploring nature during lessons or even just holding a lesson in a pleasant natural environment.
For many years, people were allowed to build buildings, structures, fortresses, bridges, roadways, etc., without any concerns for safety and operational effectiveness.
Recently, there were many changes in the current NFC Model Codes released in 2020. When the NFC Model Codes are changed/updated each province reviews and updates its Fire Codes. British Columbia’s “Updated” Fire Code will reflect these changes and be adopted in June 2023 and enforced in December 2023.
