The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) is a
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
that supports
avalanche
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, such as a hill or mountain.
Avalanches can be set off spontaneously, by such factors as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, animals, and eart ...
practitioners in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
by organizing professional training courses, providing a system for information exchange and ensures that members meet the highest practise standards to secure confidence in their avalanche safety programs. Being a member of the CAA requires knowledge of evolving avalanche-related sciences, specialized technical training, and extensive operational experience. CAA members serve the public by competently evaluating avalanche hazards and managing risks to protect people and property from avalanches. CAA members may work for ski resorts, industry and transportation (such as mining, highways or railway), or public avalanche safety organizations lik
Avalanche Canada helicopter, cat or ski/snowboard guiding operations; as avalanche consultants, as instructors of professional or recreational avalanche courses, researchers and more.
The CAA's mission is to ensure that its diverse membership of avalanche practitioners meets the highest standards, and adheres to best practices to secure the confidence of governments, industry and Canadians. The CAA does this by:
*Protecting the public interest by ensuring members adhere to the CAA's Code of Ethics.
*Representing CAA members who are professionally engaged in avalanche work in Canada.
*Maintaining, monitoring and enforcing standards of education and qualifications for continued membership in the association.
*Facilitating the exchange of technical information between persons engaged in avalanche safety programs.
*Supporting public avalanche awareness by acting as a resource base.
*Encouraging and promoting avalanche safety research and development.
*Providing professional avalanche education.
The CAA's Industry Training Program (ITP) offers training and continuing professional development courses for persons employed or seeking employment in activities where they are required to identify and/or actively manage avalanche hazards. ITP is a private,
post-secondary
Tertiary education, also referred to as third-level, third-stage or post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank, for example, defines tertiary education as including univers ...
training institution registered pursuant to the Private Post-Secondary Education Act in
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
, and the Private Vocational Schools Act in
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
. Recreational avalanche skills training courses are provided by CAA members who are certified by
Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada is a non-government, non-profit organization whose vision is to eliminate avalanche fatalities and injuries in Canada. Avalanche Canada is Canada's national public avalanche safety organization. Based in Revelstoke, British Columbi ...
, an organization dedicated to public avalanche safety in Canada.
The CAA is based in
Revelstoke, British Columbia.
History
The Canadian Avalanche Association was formed in 1981, after personnel from avalanche safety and control operators from Parks Canada, BC Highways, heli ski operations, ski areas, mines and researchers came together late in the 1970s to share experiences and ideas about avalanche mitigation.
From 2004 until 2011, the CAA shared an Executive Director and Board of Directors with the Canadian Avalanche Centre, now
Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada is a non-government, non-profit organization whose vision is to eliminate avalanche fatalities and injuries in Canada. Avalanche Canada is Canada's national public avalanche safety organization. Based in Revelstoke, British Columbi ...
.
External links
Canadian Avalanche Association
Non-profit organizations based in British Columbia
Avalanche safety
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