In recognition of their dedication and commitment to risk management and employee wellness, MIIA presented awards to several outstanding member communities and municipal entities during the MIIA Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 21.

Risk Management

MIIA Risk Management recognized the following members for their commitment to safety and renewed emphasis on compliance with OSHA standards:

• Carver: With a strong focus on cross-departmental collaboration, the town of Carver has worked to identify potential risks and develop strategies to address them. Department heads collaborate and share ideas, leading to meaningful solutions. All town departments recently completed an active shooter drill, working together to maximize safety in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the town has contracted with a public relations firm to disseminate critical information to the public as part of its emergency response protocol.
• Milton: The town of Milton has worked consistently over the past few years to reduce property exposures. In addition to employing building preventative maintenance software and energy management programs for all its properties, the town regularly applies MIIA Risk Management Grant funds toward property maintenance. As part of these efforts, the town has purchased a thermal camera, moisture meters, and wireless temperature alarms to assist in routine building inspections. Milton also participated in MIIA’s Hartford Steam Boiler Sensor Program, leveraging sensor monitoring technology to help mitigate costs related to cold weather pipe breaks and water-related losses.
• Westminster: The town of Westminster has a well-developed and long-standing safety committee that meets quarterly without fail. Though many department head positions experienced turnover during the past few years, Westminster has not skipped a beat. The town’s Safety Committee fosters continuity in risk mitigation efforts by routinely informing departments about emerging trends and how to maximize MIIA resources. From implementing inspection programs and incident/accident investigation protocol to developing policies and implementing safety training, the town’s efforts have resulted in an exemplary loss record year after year. Most recently, Westminster’s fire chief developed a comprehensive vehicle backing-up policy for the department, working to ensure that Westminster won’t become another member with losses in this area.
• Windsor: The town of Windsor’s commitment to risk management covers a wide range of initiatives. Most recently, Windsor focused its efforts on reducing exposure to smaller, more frequent (attritional) property losses. In particular, the town has budgeted for and implemented significant renovations to municipal property, including new roofs, upgrades to heating and electrical systems, and solar energy solutions. Windsor also employs a robust emergency management program, including a disaster shelter that serves the town and surrounding region. In the upcoming year, Windsor plans to work with MIIA Risk Management to further implement Department of Labor Standards priorities.

Health and Wellness

MIIA recognized several member entities for their exemplary, ongoing commitment to promoting employee wellness. Each member used MIIA’s Well Aware program, which incorporates both on-site and online educational programs focused on topics such as healthy eating, movement, sleep, injury prevention, and building coping skills.

The following awards were presented:

• Townsend: Excellence in Wellness Award
• Ralph Mahar Regional School District: Excellence in Wellness in a School District
• Southbridge: Most Progress in Wellness

Wellness Award honorees are supported internally by active employee wellness champions and wellness committee members who work closely with MIIA to plan customized programs suited to their community. All the honored entities have successfully encouraged participation and engagement from employees, helping to foster an overall culture of health and well-being.

 

Rapid Response and Reporting are Key for Cyber Incidents

By Jen Ranz, Freelance Writer

 Municipalities across the country are seeing an increase in cyberattacks, in terms of both frequency and sophistication. Local governments and entities are frequently fending off malware attacks, phishing and email scams, and brute force assaults on individual user computers and IT systems. One Massachusetts school system was forced to shut down recently due to a ransomware attack.

A recent report from the International City/County Management Association finds that municipalities are disproportionately targeted because of the vast amount of personal data they manage, their limited budgets available for cybersecurity, and the increased sophistication of today’s cyberattackers.

When an incident occurs, quick action can help stop the damage and mitigate financial losses. Municipal leaders are advised to do the following immediately:

1. Engage external resources, including the municipal insurance carrier. Do not directly engage with ransom or cyber extortionists.

2. Consult legal counsel to ensure that any federal and state notification requirements are met.

3. Report the incident to appropriate law enforcement authorities, per legal counsel advisement.

In the event of a cyber incident, MIIA members should immediately contact MIIA’s Cyber Risk team (Tom Chouinard and David Dowd) at 800-526-6442 or MIIAclaims@MMA.org. Local contact information, any supporting documents, and a description of events should all be included.

Municipalities and local public sector entities must stay vigilant and ensure that comprehensive cybersecurity plans are in place. MIIA provides a range of cybersecurity resources for members, including sample response plans, best practices, and preparedness grants.