Nationally nearly 80,000 cars ran school bus stop arms each day, according to a study conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. Not only is this illegal, but it can also lead to serious injury …
Read More › “Chesapeake Public Schools implements program to reduce stop arm violations”
Like many of you, VRSA started 2020 with big plans. 2020 marked the pool’s 40th anniversary – one we planned to celebrate by easing what worries our members so they can focus on what matters most – serving their communities. …
Virginia winters can be unpredictable. From December to March, the Commonwealth averages from eight inches of snow near the coast, to upwards of 25 inches in the mountains. Some areas near the Appalachians receive even more. In addition to snow, …
Read More › “Winter Weather Preparedness – Town of Strasburg’s Snowplow Rodeo”
Bridgewater Police Chief Joe Simmons began his career with the town in 1998. By 2011, he was serving as chief of police. “I want everyone in my department to know we are a team here to perform a public mission …
Read More › “Bridgewater Police Department Utilizes VRSA’s Public Safety Services”
VRSA Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock began his VRSA career as a law enforcement specialist in 2006. Previously, Bullock spent 14 years in law enforcement with his last position at the Henrico County Police Department. “One of the …
Read More › “Meet VRSA Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock”
Many times, organizations make plans that are progressive, forward-thinking, and well-intended. Often, plans are changed or cancelled due to a varying number of issues and circumstances. Often, putting ideas into action can take months or even years of planning. That …
Read More › “VML 2020 Local Champion Award in Risk Management presented to Town of Vinton”
The Pink Patch Project originated in 2013 with the Seal Beach Police Department in Southern California, who wore pink patches on their uniforms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. VRSA member law enforcement agencies from Poquoson, Williamsburg and Middletown also participate …
Read More › “Citizen Engagement and The Pink Patch Project with the Middletown Police Department”
COVID-19 has had an impact on every part of our daily lives – and holidays have been no exception. While many localities have made the tough decision to cancel or hold virtual events, the Town of Vinton has taken a …
Read More › “Town of Vinton’s 2020 Reverse Christmas Parade”
Like many school systems today, Martinsville City Schools provides technology to students to enhance their learning. And, like many school systems today – Martinsville City Schools is relying on these devices heavily as instruction has moved online due to COVID-19. …
Read More › “Virtual Learning and Martinsville City Schools”
This summer, the City of Poquoson – located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and one of the oldest continuously named cities in Virginia, applied for VRSA Risk Management Grant funding for the purchase of automatic …
Read More › “City of Poquoson utilizes VRSA grants to further strategic objectives”
Each year the Virginia Risk Sharing Association hosts four fall forums throughout the Commonwealth, bringing training and thought leadership on a variety of timely topics. This year, due to COVID-19, these transitioned to virtual Fall Educational Forums, held this Wednesday …
Read More › “More than 260 attend VRSA’s Fall Educational Forums”
By VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Edward Shelton Many organizations seek to build a safety culture. The goal, of course, is to provide employees with the tools, resources, training, and supervision needed to ensure they can safely and effectively perform their …
Vinny Gallo, the newest member of the VRSA Risk Services Team, brings experience from both federal, state and local government to his role. Gallo, like VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Eddie Shelton, previously worked for Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH). …
Read More › “Meet VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Vinny Gallo”
As school districts all across the Commonwealth prepare to reopen their doors, the health, safety and well-being of students, teachers and other staff is top priority. Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfecting is an integral …
Read More › “Hanover County Public Schools – Return to Learn Sanitizing Measures”
The Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA), with nearly 350 employees, faces unique communications challenges. Staff are located throughout different facilities, and work varying hours. To build a culture of enterprise risk management across the organization, the authority began looking for …
Read More › “Western Virginia Water Authority utilizes VRSA grant funds for digital communication”
By Vinny Gallo, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant June is National Safety Month, and according to the National Safety Council (NSC), “now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace.” This year, the NSC will be focusing …
Read More › “How a well functioning safety committee is key toward creating a culture of safety”
For 19 years VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig has partnered with members through education, training and consulting to help strengthen their risk management programs. Craig came to VRSA from her role at Liberty Mutual Insurance where she worked in …
The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, scheduled to be observed this week has been postponed due to COVID-19. The safety stand-down is designed to take time out from day-to-day activities to talk about safety, and raise awareness …
VRSA’s mission is to provide financial stability through risk management for Virginia political subdivisions so they can effectively serve their communities. One of the ways VRSA accomplishes this is by partnering with members to provide education, training and consulting – …
VRSA recognizes National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, a time to recognize animal control officers who work to protect the welfare of animals and pets that are rescued from injury, disease, abuse, and starvation. Earlier this year, VRSA Public Safety …
Read More › “VRSA recognizes National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week”
Everyday roughly nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes involving distracted driving. Distracted drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash than drivers focused on driving. Distracted driving is not a …
Read More › “Distracted Driving Awareness: Law Enforcement Perspective”
While the National Safety Council has postponed the observance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in response to COVID-19, many VRSA members continue to work and learn from home. Throughout April we will share distracted driving prevention information, resources, learning opportunities …
Read More › “Distracted Driving Prevention: Top Safety Tips”
With more staff working from home as part of social distancing, online training can allow employers to continue educating staff on risk management best practices and other topics. VRSA has compiled a listing of online learning resources available at no …
Read More › “VRSA Online Learning Resources and Webinar Wednesdays”
By Peter Stephenson, VRSA Local Government Specialist It’s always a good time to talk about ethics. Not simply in March when we really begin to ‘Think Spring.’ This important topic should be evergreen, at the forefront of our decision making …
Local political subdivisions are designed to serve their communities. At times, community members may request to use public property to host events. For events held on premises that are owned and/or operated by local political subdivisions, for example a town …