Information You Need to Stay Stronger, Together. In this edition...
Timely Reporting of Claims
Risk Management Minute
Stronger, Together Podcast Series: The Latest Episodes
Read Our Latest Blogs
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training
TIPS Sheet: First Responder Fitness
TML Annual Conference and Exhibition
Member Spotlight: City of Edinburg
Texas PRIMA Annual Conference
Service in Focus: Risk Management for Law Enforcement
Don’t Forget: Timely Report Your Claim! In the unfortunate event your organization has an accident, damage, or other covered situation, remember to call the Pool first. Doing so can save time, money, and confusion down the road. The Pool also has resources to quickly get you up and running after property damage, cyber-attacks, or other claims. Contact the Pool through your Member Services Manager or through phone (512-491-2300) or email (claims@tmlirp.org).
Risk Management Minute Q. Does the Pool provide workers’ compensation coverage to a Member’s employee whose primary residence is out-of-state?
A. Probably not. Both federal and state law restrict the Pool’s authority to provide workers’ compensation coverage to out-of-state employees. If your organization has remote employees outside of Texas, please contact your Member Services Manager.
Stronger, together Podcast series: The Latest Episodes Episode 19: "Member Service Managers: Your Gateway to the Pool" In this episode, special guest host Tamara Chafin, the Risk Pool’s Communications Officer, explains: (1) the role a Member Services Manager (MSM), plays at the Pool; and (2) interviews two of our MSMs: Linda Morvant and Marc Rodriguez.
Read Our Latest Blogs: Hurricane preparedness, Rockport, and culinary fun!
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training: Resilience Strategies for Law Enforcement and much more! Here’s a list of upcoming loss prevention training. The events calendar has registration details.
TIPS Sheet: First Responder Fitness Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders, and military service members are "tactical athletes" whose physical fitness is crucial to their safety. Fitness programs for these first responders should focus on preparation for occupational activities, including lifting, dragging, pushing, dodging, sprinting, climbing, and grappling. The information in the latest T.I.P.S. Sheet will help Members identify elements to add to their exercise programs.
Public Risk Management Association - Texas Chapter: Annual Conference Join Texas PRIMA for the largest risk management exhibition in Texas, offering a wealth of ideas and resources. Attendance offers four educational tracks (2022 schedule at-a-glance), with many sessions offering continuing education credits. Topics include general risk management, safety/claims, workers' compensation, and employee practices and benefits. Networking events allow attendees to get to know peers from across the state.
TML Annual Conference and Exhibition is Next Week!
The TML Risk Pool invites TML Annual Conference and Exhibition attendees to visit us in the Exhibit Hall (Booth 607)! Be sure to grab the Pool’s ever-popular calendars. This year’s calendars showcase the City of Muleshoe – the Pool’s first calendar photo contest winner!
In addition, be sure to catch the following sessions:
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Risk Management: The Gut Punch Chronicles (1:45 - 3:00 p.m.)
In recent years, Texas cities – and many Texans themselves – keep getting “punched in the gut.” COVID-19, Winter Storm Uri, increasingly volatile weather, explosions, fire, inflation, and other risks – these events combined account for hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. Hear from four TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Trustees and Pool staff who share their experiences guiding the Pool through uncertain times. Learn how coverage applies in these situations, and how to prepare your city for the next crisis. You understand your own personal insurance needs, and understanding your city’s coverage matters too. Speakers: Randy Criswell – Board Chair, TML Risk Pool, and City Manager, City of Wolfforth; Mary M. Dennis – Board Vice-Chair, TML Risk Pool, and Mayor, City of Live Oak; Rickey Childers – Board Trustee (Place 15 – Appointed Citizen Member), TML Risk Pool; and Scott Houston – Intergovernmental Manager, TML Risk Pool
Thursday, October 6, 2022
TML Health and Risk Pools’ Breakfast (7:30 8:45 a.m. – separate ticketed event, no charge)
Join Pool Board of Trustees for the latest updates and the presentation of a Partnership Award to the City of Grand Prairie for its police department’s Crisis Support Unit.
Speakers: Randy Criswell, Board Chair, TML Risk Pool, and City Manager, City of Wolfforth, and Jeff Thompson – Executive Director, TML Risk Pool.
Best Practices in Cybersecurity (9:15-10:30)
Regardless of your role in your city (and even if you’re not a technology professional), understanding cybersecurity best practices is important in today’s computer-led world. You want to know this information so you can understand possible cybersecurity business impacts at your organization and possible risk impacts for your employees and citizens. This session will focus on the top actions any organization (and every individual) can take to help mitigate cyber risks.
Speakers: Ryan Burns, MLIS, Cyber Risk Services Manager, TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool, and Guillermo (Will) Trevino, Deputy City Attorney, City of Brownsville
Insurance: The Costs of Contracting (2:15-2:45 p.m. – Texas City Attorneys Association session)
Learn about various legal provisions that can mitigate risk when contracting. Speakers: Scott Houston – Intergovernmental Relations Manager, TML Risk Pool, Aaron Hardiman – Manager of Member Services, TML Risk Pool, and Jeff Chapman, The Chapman Firm
Member Spotlight: City of Edinburg The City of Edinburg’s Risk Management Department began hosting monthly safety awareness meetings via Zoom. According to Risk Manager Cindy Gutierrez, “Using zoom meetings for training opportunities has allowed the Department to reach more employees conveniently, while not disrupting their overall operations.” The safety meetings are scheduled on the last Friday of each month and consist of a short 15-30 minute presentation. Topics are chosen from Loss Prevention’s Sample Safety Manual, Accident Prevention Plan, or focus on accident and injury trends. Ms. Gutierrez said, “This, coupled with a TMLIRP DVD on the same topic, has increased awareness to so many employees at every level.” The Risk Management Department has not made these meetings mandatory. Rather, employees are allowed to pick and choose which topics they would like to attend. Participation and attendance have been well received. On average, each training session has a participation of 70-100 employees.
The Risk Management Department uses the platform to schedule training through local workers’ compensation physicians. The physicians recently spoke on back safety, dehydration, and stroke prevention.
Risk Management has seen a decrease in injury-related incidents and continues to receive positive feedback from employees about the easily-accessible training.
Service in Focus: Risk Management for Law Enforcement Do you want to stay off the front page and avoid liability? Risk Management for Law Enforcement shines a light on risks that can get peace officers fired, suspended, demoted, sued, or incarcerated. This course discusses proactive and practical approaches to police risk and how to conduct damage control.
Goals and objectives:
Understand what’s getting officers hurt, sued, fired, and prosecuted.
Describe the difference between reactive and proactive approaches to risk management.
Explain the risk/frequency aspects of risk management.
List the two keys to managing risk.
List the five behavioral factors of risk management.
Explain the mechanical factors of risk management.
Who should attend?
Risk and Liability Management for Law Enforcement is designed to educate and challenge police. Risk managers and public safety communicators will also benefit. The course is of value to any employee who works in law enforcement to better understand safety and liability concepts, as everyone plays a role in risk management.
