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”
Public bodies make important decisions each day as they serve their communities. Decisions may involve daily operations – utilities, public safety, refuse parks – or may be responses to new challenges and uncertainties – like COVID-19. Often these decisions not …
If you have employees who are parents or guardians of school-aged children, you’re probably facing an abundance of new questions now that the school year has begun. Here are some helpful answers to the top questions regarding leave under the …
July 1, 2020, brought significant legislative changes to the heart/hypertension and cancer presumption statutes for public safety officers, as well as new post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) legislation for firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and law enforcement officers. The Virginia …
Read More › “Update: Significant workers’ compensation legislation impacting public safety officers”
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”
For many, COVID-19 was the crisis we weren’t prepared for. Through our mock exercises and prepared crisis scenarios, many of us planned for a plethora of crisis risks that could impact our organizations. These included natural or manmade disasters, active …
Read More › “How COVID-19 has changed crisis communications”
Consider the following scenario: a citizen or other third party is walking through your office building, school property, treatment plant facility, etc. and suddenly trips – falling hard to the ground. A nearby employee sees the fall and immediately attends …
Since July 1, VRSA has approved $279,000 in Risk Management Grant funding, with many of the grant awards funding risk management items needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable items include: COVID-19 related personal protective equipment (newly covered in 2020); …
Not surprisingly, 2021 will be challenging for insurers and reinsurers worldwide. Catastrophic storms and wildfires continue to result in huge property losses for insurers, while civil unrest is creating issues in liability as well as property markets. Sexual abuse and …
The following courses ranked as the top ten VRSA Online University courses utilized from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2020. Fire Prevention Hazard Communication Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Personal Protective Equipment Bloodborne Pathogens Back Safety Security Awareness Active Shooter Response …
Read More › “Fall 2020: Top ten VRSA Online University courses used!”
Each quarter, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) publishes the Gold Star List. The list recognizes members that have had workers’ compensation claims during the previous quarter and reported them within three days of injury. Late reporting is a major …
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”
The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board recently adopted the Emergency Temporary Standard: Infectious Disease Prevention. This standard is designed to keep employees safe from COVID-19 exposure in the workplace and set to become enforceable the week of July 27. …
Read More › “VRSA provides guidance on the VOSH COVID-19 Standard”
By VRSA Managing Director Steve Craig The 2020 General Assembly session resulted in a number of changes to Virginia law of interest to local political subdivisions from a risk management standpoint. The changes are effective July 1 unless otherwise noted. …
The Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) remains committed to partnering with our members through education, training and consulting as they continue to serve their communities during these difficult times. For the 2020-2021 fund-year, the VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board has voted …
Each year, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) provides risk management performance awards to members at the annual meeting held each spring. Due to COVID-19, this year’s annual meeting was held virtually. However, risk management is never put on hold, …
The Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) is pleased to announce an exciting new website application to assist with the maintenance of your OSHA 300 log. On July 1, VRSA released an OSHA 300 Log Recording application online. The application has …
Read More › “VRSA introduces new OSHA-300 Log recording application”
VRSA Director of Education and Training, Thomas Bullock, VRSA Senior Safety Consultants Fonda Craig, Eddie Shelton, and Vinny Gallo, and VRSA Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon have all been certified as COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention Specialists by the National Association …
Read More › “VRSA staff certified as COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention Specialists”
Save up to 93% on training costs and travel time for your staff through the VRSA Online University today over traditional instructor-led courses.