In this issue:See images from Preferred Member Education Day, learn how to mitigate claims costs, discover the value of lightning protection systems and much more!
Loved seeing you at Preferred Member Education Day 2023!
Thanks to all our members, agents, partners and board members who participated in our recent Preferred Member Education Day 2023! It was a great day of education, networking and fellowship. Thank you for your continued support of Preferred!
How the City of Cape Canaveral outsmarts lightning
By Melinda Huser, Director of Human Resources/Risk Management - City of Cape Canaveral
In the summer of 2021, the City of Cape Canaveral Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) was severely damaged by lightning resulting in a loss of telecommunications and monitoring devices, pumps and the WRF’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition operating system. Because of the interruption, staff was required to initiate 24-hour operations for several days to ensure WRF processes were not interrupted and a continuation of services was maintained. In addition, this event resulted in a high insurance claim.
The WRF is one of the city’s most critical pieces of infrastructure and must be protected from all manner of natural phenomenon to avoid a loss of services that may negatively impact the health, wellbeing and safety of residents, business owners and staff, as well as the surrounding natural environment. Given its exposed location along the Banana River Lagoon and abundance of tall conductive surfaces, the WRF remains vulnerable to lightning strikes. Also, due to its unique geography and atmospheric conditions, Florida is considered the lightning capital of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. Specifically, the corridor between Tampa Bay and Titusville receives the most lightning strikes in the U.S. each year, with an average of 56 strikes annually per square mile.
Claims 101: How Preferred members can mitigate claims costs
by Monika Coleman, Liability Claims Supervisor, PGCS
Position yourself to minimize the impacts of claims by building a physical incident response plan into your culture of safety and security. The first steps you take after an incident can significantly reduce the negative financial and reputational impacts of incidents and claims.
Assign an uninvolved responder, if possible, to collect information and offer comfort to victims without interfering with first responders. Someone who has just been involved in a car accident or witnessed a co-worker get injured is justifiably preoccupied. Train your responders to gather facts that will help get an injured worker prompt, appropriate treatment and help the adjuster quickly and accurately determine compensability and liability. This information can later be used to target your loss control resources to reduce frequency and severity.
City of North Port – Using social media during Hurricane Ian
Preferred would like to commend the City of North Port for their ongoing communication with residents before, during and after Hurricane Ian. North Port used social media to update residents regarding flooded areas, detour routes to keep traffic moving, timelines for roads to be reopened, clean up for community and city facilities as well as closures. Due to their effective planning and efforts, North Port had the appropriate information available for FEMA and claims adjusters.
Keeping its residents informed is clearly of the upmost importance to the City of North Port. Well done!
City of Lake Worth Beach – Safety Committee in action
Preferred would like to recognize the City of Lake Worth Beach for reestablishing their safety committee. The safety committee is an integral part of the city’s safety program to assist in reducing/eliminating workplace accidents, injuries and illness. The committee’s chairperson, Therese Howell-Poitier, Senior Human Resource Generalist, has been working with Preferred Loss Control to establish a standing agenda as well as identify priorities with the primary emphasis of providing a safe workplace for the city’s employees. In support of this initiative, City Manager Carmen Davis and HR Director Loren Slaydon attended the committee’s most recent meeting to demonstrate management’s support and commitment to safety.
Safety & Risk Management Services Overview
The success of any public entity is tied to its ability to protect and preserve its human and physical assets. This basic premise serves as the cornerstone of an effective safety and risk management program and underscores the importance of safety and risk management to the community.
To better serve our members, we provide a full complement of services, resources and support that are free to Preferred members.
