MIIA presents Risk Management and Wellness awards

MIIA Executive Vice President Stanley Corcoran speaks during the MIIA Annual Business Meeting in Boston on Jan. 21.

In recognition of their dedication and commitment to risk management and employee wellness, MIIA presented awards to several outstanding member communities and municipal entities during the MIIA Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 21.

Risk Management
MIIA Risk Management recognized the following members for their commitment to safety and renewed emphasis on compliance with OSHA standards:
• Carver: With a strong focus on cross-departmental collaboration, the town of Carver has worked to identify potential risks and develop strategies to address them. Department heads collaborate and share ideas, leading to meaningful solutions. All town departments recently completed an active shooter drill, working together to maximize safety in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the town has contracted with a public relations firm to disseminate critical information to the public as part of its emergency response protocol.

• Milton: The town of Milton has worked consistently over the past few years to reduce property exposures. In addition to employing building preventative maintenance software and energy management programs for all its properties, the town regularly applies MIIA Risk Management Grant funds toward property maintenance. As part of these efforts, the town has purchased a thermal camera, moisture meters, and wireless temperature alarms to assist in routine building inspections. Milton also participated in MIIA’s Hartford Steam Boiler Sensor Program, leveraging sensor monitoring technology to help mitigate costs related to cold weather pipe breaks and water-related losses.

• Westminster: The town of Westminster has a well-developed and long-standing safety committee that meets quarterly without fail. Though many department head positions experienced turnover during the past few years, Westminster has not skipped a beat. The town’s Safety Committee fosters continuity in risk mitigation efforts by routinely informing departments about emerging trends and how to maximize MIIA resources. From implementing inspection programs and incident/accident investigation protocol to developing policies and implementing safety training, the town’s efforts have resulted in an exemplary loss record year after year. Most recently, Westminster’s fire chief developed a comprehensive vehicle backing-up policy for the department, working to ensure that Westminster won’t become another member with losses in this area.

• Windsor: The town of Windsor’s commitment to risk management covers a wide range of initiatives. Most recently, Windsor focused its efforts on reducing exposure to smaller, more frequent (attritional) property losses. In particular, the town has budgeted for and implemented significant renovations to municipal property, including new roofs, upgrades to heating and electrical systems, and solar energy solutions. Windsor also employs a robust emergency management program, including a disaster shelter that serves the town and surrounding region. In the upcoming year, Windsor plans to work with MIIA Risk Management to further implement Department of Labor Standards priorities.

Health and Wellness
MIIA recognized several member entities for their exemplary, ongoing commitment to promoting employee wellness. Each member used MIIA’s Well Aware program, which incorporates both on-site and online educational programs focused on topics such as healthy eating, movement, sleep, injury prevention, and building coping skills.

The following awards were presented:
• Townsend: Excellence in Wellness Award
• Ralph Mahar Regional School District: Excellence in Wellness in a School District
• Southbridge: Most Progress in Wellness

Wellness Award honorees are supported internally by active employee wellness champions and wellness committee members who work closely with MIIA to plan customized programs suited to their community. All the honored entities have successfully encouraged participation and engagement from employees, helping to foster an overall culture of health and well-being.

Written by Stephen Batchelder, MIIA VP of Claims Operations and Risk Management, and Courtney Hernandez, MIIA Wellness Manager.