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 …
As part of VRSA’s 40th anniversary, throughout the year various services, resources and coverages will be highlighted through this blog. VRSA Director of Human Resources Services Tina Stevens has been providing human resources consulting to members purchasing public official’s liability …
Read More › “Meet Tina Stevens, VRSA Director of Human Resources Services”
Puxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring for 2020 and if his prediction is correct, more activities will be taking place outside earlier this year. In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, weatherman Phil Conners – sent to cover Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog …
Read More › “Getting your risk management program out of a rut”
In 2018, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig visited with Captain Joey McLaughlin with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office to see the installation of Hornet electronic deer avoidance systems. The devices were purchased with $3,700 in VRSA Risk Management …
Read More › “New Kent County deer strike prevention pilot – A follow up!”
Localities with 15 or more employees are required by VA Code section § 15.2-1506 to have a grievance procedure for employees that “affords an immediate and fair method for the resolution of disputes which may arise between the public employer …
2019 Year in Review The most notable change in 2019 was our new name! On July 1, 2019, VML Insurance Programs became the Virginia Risk Sharing Association. The new name better represents the diverse membership of the pool, and clarifies …
Local governments face many of the same loss exposures as their local businesses and citizens. However, while measures that may be available for commercial businesses, organizations and residents include a wide array of risk management techniques, for local governments those …
This month, VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel celebrates five years with VRSA. In December 2014, Hensel joined VRSA as a senior underwriter from his position with the Virginia Property Insurance Association. Since 2018, Hensel has served as VRSA’s …
Read More › “VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel celebrates five-years!”
Guest blogger Jerry the Skeleton is in the office today recapping VRSA’s 2019 Halloween costume and pumpkin carving winners. It was a ghoulish good time at the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) today, and while there was not a ghost or …
The United States Department of Education, in A Guide to School Vulnerability Assessments, identifies eight categories of hazards and risks that could impact schools. “It’s important to consider all hazards and threats that could affect your school system when conducting …
Read More › “Addressing physical and operational hazards in schools”
In recognition of Safe Schools Week, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig toured Mountain View Elementary in Prince William County along with Safety Specialist Jim Honeycutt and Brian Antolick to search for hazards that could lead to injuries and common …
America’s Safe Schools Week has been recognized on the third week of October each year since 1984. Virginia’s public school divisions enroll nearly 1.3 million students. Collectively, VRSA members include school divisions averaging 14,000 students. As such, school safety is …
By VRSA Chief Information Officer Karen Inman and VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel As we continue our cyber dialogue from earlier this month, cyber threats continue to grow more sophisticated and are increasingly common in the headlines. Public …
Read More › “Breaking down cyber insurance and resources available”
Fire Prevention Week, recognized this year from Oct. 6 – 12, has been in existence for more than 90 years. VRSA is excited to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice …
By VRSA Chief Information Officer Karen Inman and VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel Public bodies continue to make headlines for falling victim to ransomware and other cyber-based attacks. While criminals pursue both business and governmental entities, government attacks …
September 23 – 29, 2019, is recognized as Fall Prevention Week. Almost one in every five work-related injuries results from a slip, trip or fall. In 2016, the National Safety Council reports that 697 workers died in falls to a …
America’s Safe Schools Week has been recognized on the third week of October each year since 1984. Virginia’s public school divisions enroll nearly 1.3 million students. Collectively, VRSA members include school divisions averaging 14,000 students. As such, school safety is a …
Read More › “Save the dates! Safe Schools Week: October 21 – 27”
By Peter Stephenson, VRSA Local Government Specialist On June 27, 2019, the Town of Woodstock in Shenandoah County became the smallest locality in the Commonwealth of Virginia to earn full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA). This distinction …
June 23 was National Public Service Day. In recognition of this observance, Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) staff asked several members why they do what they do in public service. Today, we’re sharing their responses. South Boston Lieutenant Caleb Wade …
Local governments, authorities and schools are challenged daily to develop effective safety programs that reduce workers’ compensation losses, resulting in both direct and indirect losses to both employee and employer. The effectiveness of a safety program is increased by use …
Read More › “National Safety Month and the importance of safety committees”
By Peter Stephenson, Virginia Local Government Specialist It appears that transportation is the next big prize in the digital economic revolution. However, is it supply or demand “driven,” and how can our already challenged transportation infrastructure accommodate this connectivity crossroad? …