Safety Awards Program

Each May MVRMA's Awards Committee meets to determine the Risk Management/Safety Awards winners for the loss year completed the previous December. To be eligible for a Safety Award a member city must have completed one full year of MVRMA membership.

The Overall Award is presented to the city with the lowest dollar losses per full-time employee. A plate engraved with the overall winner's name and the year of the award is added to a plaque which rotates to the winning city. The presentation is usually made at a council meeting or other gathering. The city may then display the plaque for one year. The runner-up city is presented with a smaller plaque honoring its accomplishment.

Department winners are often determined by the zero-loss department with the most employees. However, when there are no zero-loss departments for a specific category, the winner is determined by the department with the fewest losses per full-time employee. The employees of the winning and zero-loss departments are treated to a breakfast or other celebration in their honor, or they may choose to receive $250.00 toward any safety related training that would benefit the department. Only the winning departments receive a plaque, but employees of either winning or zero-loss departments receive individual certificates recognizing their efforts. At present, the following departments are eligible for an annual Departmental Award:

Police Department
Fire Department
Streets and Refuse Department
Parks and Recreation Department
Water and Waste Water Department

Beginning in 1997, any department with three or more consecutive zero-loss years is also recognized with a Safety Performance Award plaque.

Beginning in 1998, the Award of Excellence was established. Dollar losses per employee were averaged over the period 1991 - 1997 to determine an "expected average dollar loss." Cities with 50% less than the "expected average dollar loss" ($100 or less) are Award of Excellence winners and are recognized in Risky Business.

As part of the Safety Awards Program, each member city is asked to submit a nomination for the Special Achievement Award. This award recognizes a special achievement program or activity related to risk management, safety or loss prevention. Cities or departments chosen for this award receive special recognition for their efforts.