|
|
|
|||||||||
"SAFETY
ABOVE & BEYOND" Training Day November 14, 2002 Who would have ever thought that in the second week of November, there would be no rain! Luckily for the 450 participants, the day was clear but cool for our "Safety Above & Beyond" Training Day. Our opening address was given by Celeste Cantu SWRQB Executive Director, and Denis Pollak, CWEA President. Celeste began by apologizing for the confusion and explained the decision and rescission of the folding of the State Operator Certification Program. Due to the state budget crisis, it was felt that the state could hand the certificate program to a private association, such as CWEA and thus not have the expense of managing this program that was costing the state almost $200,000 to operate. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the State Legislation did in fact allow fees to be raised to cover operating expenses incurred. Fees have not been raised since the state took over this program. Last year over $340,000 was collected in fees, but the program cost was $517,000 to operate. In light of this fact, the state will be raising fees to cover the overture. This will be proposed to the SWRQB Board at the first of the year. Denis Pollak, President of CWEA thanked everyone for coming to the safety event. He went on to say that this is what CWEA is all about (good training, and support throughout the local sections). Denis reminisced about safety events throughout his thirty years involved within the industry and CWEA. He did comment on the success of the NRTC in Tahoe, and that the Board has decided to continue this valuable training next year. He reminded everyone that the Annual Conference will be held April 21-23, 2003 in Ontario. Denis talked about the E-Bulletin and its availability on the internet. This coming year, the CWEA will be introducing a paper magazine called (The Wastewater Professional) which is geared towards technical information. The E-Bulletin and The Wastewater Professional magazine will be published monthly. Look for it this coming year. Throughout the day, we had six training sessions which included: Meth Lab Awareness, Conflict Resolution, Electrical Safety, Sewer Response (Inside & Out), Injury Prevention Ergonomics, and Plant Security. All sessions were well attended. I would like to thank Bob Sembach for explaining to the attendees how OPS Challenge event is performed and judged. I would like to thank the EBMUD Slingers for bringing their equipment and providing a demonstration on the Collection System event, as well as the Safety event. Watching the performance of these timed events is really something to see. Anyone interested in putting together a team can contact Bob Sembach. We are always looking for additional teams to help represent the state of California at the Nationals. I would like to thank the Buckhorn for providing everyone with an outstanding lunch. I would also like to thank all the speakers, and 42 vendors for taking their time to participate in this safety day and making it the success that it was! A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL! SFBS
Professional Development Committee Seminar Line-up Jason Warner The SFBS Professional Development Committee (PDC) has three more seminars planned for the 02/03 seminar cycle which form a great line up for the months ahead. Seminar topics include SCADA Systems, Corrosion Control, and Asset Management. First, a recap of the recent Biosolids Management seminar that was held on October 16, 2002 at HS Lordships in Berkeley, CA. The seminar line-up included five speakers with wide ranging topics. Bob Gillette of Carollo Engineers discussed the Regulatory Climate in California including recent restrictions or bans for various classes of biosolids in counties across the state. Perry Schafer of Brown and Caldwell reviewed Class A Digestion Methodologies in use today. Ron Sieger of CH2MHill presented a review of available dewatering and drying technologies based upon his experiences across several continents. A 'SCADA Systems' seminar is scheduled for the late January/February time frame. The seminar continues a tradition of similar seminars presented by the PDC in March of 1999 and January of 2001. Response to the two previous seminars was highly positive when measured by attendance and feedback. The latest 'SCADA Systems' seminar will include coverage of timely topics such as system security, incorporating video monitoring over existing SCADA networks, and data storage methods. The program will also contain foundational coverage of SCADA components including operator interface software, programmable logic controllers, remote site communication methods, and field wiring. Two additional seminars, titled 'Corrosion Control' and 'Asset Management', are schedule for the Spring of 2003. The 'Corrosion Control' seminar is intended as an introduction into the theory and real world application of corrosion protection systems to wastewater structures and equipment. The 'Asset Management' seminar will include a review of the latest regulations and best practices related to the management of wastewater assets. The speaker line-ups for these two programs are not set as of this writing. Please contact one of the PDC members if you have suggestions for potential seminar topics. The PDC is a committee of the San Francisco Bay Section chapter of CWEA. Current members include Maura Bonnarens (EBMUD), Rick Chan (Carollo), Elaine Chiu (Carollo), Jonathan Keaney (B&C), Linda Leong (C&C of SF), Ed McCormick (EBMUD), Bing Misra (DSRSD), Craig Mizutani (CCCSD), Kevin O'Toole (Whitley Burchett & Associates), Mike Walkowiak (CH2MHill), Jason Warner (DDSD), and Florence Wedington (CDM). New members are welcome from all arenas of the wastewater industry. Please contact Kevin O'Toole at 925-945-6850 or kotoole@whitleyburchett.com for more information. |
||||||||||
