Safe Communities

Technical Services Team

The Technical Services department of the Gitksan Government Commission is located at 4125 River Road, in the First Nations High School. Staff consists of Tom Danyk, Capital Projects Manager and Ken Morrison, Housing Inspector with support from Diane McRae and Elizabeth Harris, Financial Resources.

Tom Danyk recently joined the GGC team and will be on board for a year this spring! Tom’s biggest asset is the number of people he knows. His diverse background and a ``get the job done`` attitude has been a nice fit here at the Gitksan Government Commission. If he doesn`t know how to do it he`s only a few phone calls away from finding somebody who does. Tom has cultivated these contacts over a thirty (30) year span of experience ranging from owner operator of a fly fishing guiding service in the East Kootenays to running some of the best known working, historical dude ranches located in the Okanagan and the Chilcoltin. The skill set that Tom has acquired in those capacities has transferred very nicely into his role with the Gitksan Government Commission as the Capital Project Manager and Economic Development Officer. Tom has fit well into the GGC team.

Ken Morrison, has filled the Housing Inspector position since June 10, 2002. Ken has worked as a carpenter, carpenter supervisor and construction supervisor and has 30 years of construction experience. Ken completed his formal housing inspector training through CMHC First Nations Inspectors Initiative, and in 1999 attended Malaspina University -College Cowichan Campus and completed the Building Inspector Training Program and is able to provide renovation and new home construction inspections and estimates. Ken is also a RRAP Inspector (this is great!) and has also taken, carpentry training, entrepreneurial training, local assistant to fire commissioner training, fire investigation cause determination training, and critical incident stress management and debriefing.

Our office keeps a copy of all records for each project including as-constructed drawings and all technical reports. A library of Operation and Maintenance manuals for each Band is also maintained, along with technical publications, manuals, and magazines. Library information, reports and drawing are available to Band Offices and membership for information and planning purposes.

One of the key functions is to ensure the community emergency plan is updated regularly and is readily available. Also working with the local public health and safety officials as may be needed. 

The technical services also has survey equipment, flow measuring device, portable multi-gas monitors for confined space entry, water testing equipment, print machine (blueprints), M-scope leak detector, pipe laser, magnetic locator (pin finder), Arctic Blaster - water line thawing device, that are available to the member Bands.

NEW HAZELTON LANDFILL

The Regional District of Kitimat Stikine is planning to close the existing landfill. They will then construct a new modern facility on the same property. All contributing Bands will be asked to share costs either through capital cost sharing or increased MTSA.  A community based recycling program may be coming soon!! Let us know of your ideas on how to stop waste from getting into the landfill!  

• Gitanyow Sewer Project is completed.
• Gitwangak Sewer Project is also done.
• Gitanmaax water treatment plant upgrade is in progress, scheduled for completion in December 2011.
• Comprehensive Community Planning is underway in our communities which includes the updating the 1998 Physical Development Plans. See more information under Finance on this website!