Trust Announcements

 This is the last risk management and training bulletin for the year.  The next bulletin will be issued in early January 2010.  From all of us to you and yours, may you have a safe and healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year! 

-Your Training Team

Carol Bigham, Elaine Downes, Peter Erndwein, Marianne Hospador, Dawn Mancini, Neil McGarry, Ryan Oberholtzer and Linda Poole

 

Web-based Training - Debut of "DVIT eCampus"

 

The Trust is pleased to announce the availability of a new online risk control training resource for DVIT and DVWCT members.  DVIT eCampus offers dozens of online training programs to anyone with a web-enabled computer.  This risk management tool is being offered to members as a value-added benefit (no additional cost).   

Two types of courses are available:

• ClarityNet Self-Study - Resource for Individual Instruction

This training option enables individual students to complete a variety of training programs online at their own pace.  At the end of the course, students take a final exam.  If they pass, they print out an individualized training certificate.  Self-study courses are perfect for single employees new to the organization or who might require post-incident refresher training.

• Video-on-Demand (VOD) - Resource for Group Instruction

VOD training programs are streamed through the Internet onto a member's PC, Smart Board or other web-enabled projection system.  Courses can be accessed over several days allowing multiple instructional sessions.  Great for training multiple employee groups spread over different work shifts.   

Web-based training is a contemporary training technology for addressing individual development needs without having to leave the workplace.  It works best for information-heavy training.  In-person training is still preferred for skill-based or hands-on training.  The Trust will continue to offer both.

Courses are available on health and safety and human resource topics.  For a complete listing of courses, clink: Health and Safety Courses

Courses can be ordered by contacting Linda Poole (lpoole@dvit.com; 267-781-0619) or Peter Erndwein (perndwein@dvit.com; 267-781-0612).

 

Seasonal ToolBox Talks

 

Colder temperatures mark the start of the "cold weather claim cycle".  Each year the Trust sees a spike in similar incidents related to seasonal conditions.  Fall and winter environmental conditions trigger a predictable pattern of losses including:

• Vehicle collisions with deer
• Vehicle collisions due to impaired visibility or loss of traction
• Property damage from snow plows
• Employee falls due to loss of traction

The Trust's Risk Control Department would like to remind members of its Tool Box Talks on cold weather risk management issues: 

Avoiding Deer Collisions

Defensive Driving

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Snow Plowing

The Trust's Tool Box Talks are designed to be used by group leaders or department heads in pre-shift meetings.  Short, periodic safety meetings are effective in maintaining employee awareness and creating a proactive safety culture.

 

New Training Resources

 

•  Emergency Response Driving
• Strains ans Sprains - A Public Concern

Taking advantage of "economic stimulus" pricing, the Trust has acquired two new Coastal training DVDs:

• "Emergency Response Driving" provides an overview of roadway hazards faced by EMS, fire and law enforcement personnel. Avoidance strategies are also discussed.
• "Strains and Sprains - A Public Concern" discusses musculoskeletal risk factors faced by governmental employees and precautions to avoid overexertion injuries.

To reserve these training resources, contact Dawn Mancini at dmancini@dvit.com or call 267-781-0607.

 

Municipal RM News and Analysis

Taser International - New Recommendation on Aiming

 

On October 12, Taser International issued Training Bulletin No. 15.  Three days later, they issued a letter clarifying the new targeting recommendation provided in the bulletin.    

The training bulletin and letter recommend that when possible Taser users should lower the recommended point of aim "from center of mass to lower-center of mass for front shots."  Taser believes this change will blunt plaintiff's assertions during excessive use-of-force suits that application of the Taser triggered or contributed to certain medical conditions.  Taser is careful to emphasize that this new preferred target area only applies if tactical circumstances allow officers a choice.

RM Recommendation:

From a risk management standpoint, DVIT recommends that police departments review their written Taser and Use-of- Force policies to ensure they reflect this new manufacturer recommendation.  All officers authorized to use Tasers should be informed of any changes to these written policies.  Additionally, officers should anticipate questions regarding their choice of aiming points in the event of a Taser deployment.  They should be prepared to justify the tactical circumstances impacting their choice aiming point.                  

To review a copy of the training bulletin and letter of clarification, clink:

http://taser.com/legal/Documents/Training%20Memo%20with%20Training%20Bulletin%20and%20Warnings.pdf

 

Availability of Firefighter Exams

 

DVWCT has long advocated pre-service and periodic medical exams for keeping volunteer firefighters healthy and "in service".  Recently, DVWCT negotiated with Professional Health Services, Inc. (PHS) to offer NFPA-compliant firefighter physicals to member agencies at a discounted fee.  PHS offers mobile exams which can be brought on-site for under $300 per person (minimum number of participants applies). 

After the exam, the fire chief receives a written fitness-for-duty opinion by a licensed medical professional.  The volunteer receives a confidential copy of their results to review with their personal physician.  The entire process is governed under strict HIPAA medical confidentiality regulations.  This means neither the fire chief nor DVWCT can see the actual exam results unless the individual provides written consent to do so.

For a flier describing this mobile firefighter medical program, clink: Medical Program

 

 Old AED Batteries Cost City of Chicago $3.2 Million

 

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have become standard equipment in public entity settings.  They can be found near meeting rooms, in libraries, on municipal golf courses and in EMS, fire and police vehicles.  AEDs have proven themselves as valuable tools for medical first responders. 

In an unusual case, the family of a man who suffered a fatal heart attack sued the City of Chicago alleging it failed to properly maintain its AED batteries.  The suit alleged the city's Hillside Fire Department which responding to the emergency call could not resuscitate the victim because two of its AEDs failed to operate due to faulty batteries.  Per manufacturer recommendations, the AED batteries reportedly needed to be changed every two years.  The city had not changed out the batteries since 2000.  Rather than risk a larger jury award, the city of Chicago agreed to a $3.2 million settlement.

RM Recommendation:

If AEDs are deployed as part of a municipality's emergency medical services program, make sure the equipment works.  Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding operational checks and battery replacement. 

To view the October 5 Chicago Sun Times article on this case, clink:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1807698,lawsuit-defibrulator-partyka-settlement-100509.article

 

Seven Recalls

 

Schwalbe Brand Bicycle Tires - May Fail Suddenly and Cause Fall

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10009.html

  

 SI Tech Diving Hoses - Hose Insert May Dislodge and Cause Drowning

 

  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10010.html

 

Milbank Manufacturing Single Electric Meter Sockets - Faulty Component Could Cause Short

  

 http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10012.html

 

Bad Boy Enterprises Off Road utility vehicle - May Accelerate Unexpectantly

 

 http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10015.html

 

Belkin international, Inc. SurgeMaster^TM Surge Protector - Plug Molding May Crack Resulting in Shock Hazard

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10024.html 

 

Computer AC Adapter - Internal Insulation May Fail Posing Shock Hazard

 http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10027.html

 

Seminars - New

 

Winter Training Hiatus

Due to unpredictable weather and to ensure the safety of personnel, the Risk Control Department does not routinely schedule training sessions from late December to early March.   

During this hiatus, the staff will work on the 2010 Training Catalog which should be available in time for the January 2010 Risk Management and Training Bulletin.

In the interim, Trust members who are looking for training programs should contact the risk control department to discuss their specific needs:

 

 

Seminars Previously Announced

 

Location:  King of Prussia, PA

Location:  Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus - Conshohocken, PA

Location:  Lower Merion Township Building - Ardmore, PA

Location: Horsham Library Community Room - Horsham, PA

 

Questions?

 

Linda Poole lpoole@dvit.com or 267-781-0619

This bulletin is published as a value-added benefit for the members of the Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts.  While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, no warranty is expressed or implied. 

Public entities wishing to get more information on membership in the Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts are encouraged to visit our website at www.DVIT.com or call 866-706-0101 (toll free).