Key Largo Water Control District – Preferred TIPS for COVID-19 Controls
Submitted by Chris Kittleson, Director of Loss Control Technical Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.
Key Largo Water Treatment District, in an effort to provide continuous improvement for the protection from the COVID-19 virus, utilized the Preferred TIPS program to enhance their facilities.
More specifically, plexiglass dividers were installed at their customer service area and board room to help reduce the potential for the spread of COVID-19.
Preferred would like to commend Key Largo Water Treatment District for taking the initiative to participate in the Preferred TIPS program and utilize the funds provided to make their facilities safer for personnel, patrons as well as the public.
City of Arcadia Safety from the Top Down
Submitted by Pam Hancock, Senior Loss Control Consultant – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.
For the last five years the City of Arcadia’s Safety Committee has focused their efforts on reducing the frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims in each department. The committee found several ways to improve workplace safety.
At the committee’s recommendation they have conducted Job Hazard Analysis’s and identified the appropriate levels of controls for the hazards identified. The committee sought to improve the everyday practices of specific jobs that were loss leaders for them.
At the committee’s recommendation they have conducted Job Hazard Analysis’s and identified the appropriate levels of controls for the hazards identified. The committee sought to improve the everyday practices of specific jobs that were loss leaders for them.
Within this culture of safety everyone got involved including the City Administrator, Terry Stewart. Mr. Stewart performed a ride along with solid waste personnel to give him a better understanding of what hazards they encounter on the job.
Linda Lowe, HR Director/Risk Manager, makes it a practice to visit worksites to not only ensure that the employees are practicing safety but also encourage and support them on a job well done!
This Safety Committee truly has the backing from the top.
Preferred would like to recognize the City of Arcadia for creating a culture safety, management’s commitment/support of safety as well as the safety committee’s efforts to provide a safe workplace for the City of Arcadia.
St. Lucie County Fire District is Reigning Firefighter Challenge World Champions
Submitted by Mike Marinan, Director of Member Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.
Preferred member St. Lucie County Fire District is the reigning Firefighter Challenge World Champion.
The Firefighter Challenge encourages fitness plus demonstrates the professions’ rigors to the public, and this year a national television audience.
Wearing full gear, firefighters race head-to head, individual, and tandem competitions, simulating the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses, and rescuing a life-sized, 175 pound “victim” as they race against themselves, their opponents, and the clock.
An estimated 200 women and men have earned the right to compete in the Firefighter Challenge World Championship by qualifying from different regional sites across the country.
Congratulations to the St. Lucie County Fire District Firefighter Challenge World Champions and good luck with your defense of the title!
Pictured: (L to R – Front Row) Justin Baker, Carlos Torres, Tre Thomson, Luke Stewart (L to R – Back Row) Caden Wilson, Kevin Reilly, Brian Riebe, Matt Coney, Brendan Ward – St. Lucie County Fire District
City of Jacksonville Beach Receives 2021 Environmental Stewardship Municipal Achievement Award
Submitted by Mike Marinan, Director of Member Services – Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc.
Congratulations to the City of Jacksonville Beach who received the 2021 Environmental Stewardship Municipal Achievement Award for its clean, dark, flat public awareness campaign.
The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes a city program that promotes conservation, improves, and protects environmental conditions
and/or provides environmental education and outreach programs.
The program is a partnership between the city, the nonprofit community beach sea turtle patrol, and the small businesses in the community through their coffee shops and coffee mug sales.
According to Mayor Hoffman, clean refers to removing litter and personal items, dark at night for the safety of the hatchlings and flat refers to filling in holes and leveling sandcastles so the sea turtles can come up onto the beach and return to the ocean without obstructions.
Congratulations to Jacksonville Beach for an innovative and environmentally important program!