The FN Infrastructure Resilience Toolkit (FN-iRT) partners with First Nation communities to develop and implement robust asset management practices, allowing communities to better forecast capital replacement and the operations and maintenance (O&M) investment needs throughout the lifespan of their assets. This approach ensures that investments are optimized, with a focus on maintaining and enhancing levels of service that are critical to community well-being.

In essence, the FN-iRT is more than just a set of tools—it represents a collaborative approach that respects and integrates traditional knowledge with contemporary engineering practices. It empowers First Nations to build resilient communities that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate while preserving the cultural and environmental integrity that is central to their identity. Additionally, the FN-iRT supports First Nations communities in evaluating and managing the resilience of their infrastructure against the impacts of extreme weather. By assessing vulnerabilities in buildings, facilities, and other critical assets, the Toolkit enables communities to proactively address climate risks within a lifecycle framework.

The Toolkit is organized into three comprehensive modules, each crafted according to the latest best practices and industry standards: 

Module 1: Data Structure & Source 

This module provides a comprehensive inventory and condition information on community infrastructure, as well, data on the service life, replacement value, and climate resiliency.

Module 2: Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) 

This module provides processes for assessing vulnerabilities of community infrastructure due to extreme climate events. This process will help enhance local climate parameters, exposures and risks required to help define current & future climate mitigation and adaptation measures.

Module 3: Asset Management Plans (AMP) 

This module enables a community to inventory its assets, evaluate their condition and capacity to meet current and future demands, assess and mitigate risks, determine capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) needs, and create actionable plans to maintain and improve service levels. AMPs are dynamic, evolving documents designed to guide both day-to-day operations and long-term financial planning. At its core, asset management is about: “Doing the right thing, to the right asset, at the right time... at the right cost!”

Both modules 2 and 3 are deeply interconnected with Module 1, which serves as a central register for infrastructure data. This data is derived from various sources, including the Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS), the Integrated Capital Management System (ICMS), the PSAB 3150 Tangible Capital Assets (TCA) register, other infrastructure reports specific to First Nations and traditional and local knowledge. By integrating these diverse sources of information, the Toolkit provides a holistic view of community assets, supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning.