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.

Public Risk Achievement Awards

In 2010, the Public Risk Achievement Awards were added to the annual Safety Awards program in order to honor members with creative and successful risk management programs.  There are two categories for these awards: Innovation in Public Risk Management and Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Program.  This program provides an opportunity for members to share their accomplishments with their peers. 

Up to three recipients may be selected each year; one recipient for Innovation in Public Risk Management and two for Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Program.  However, the Awards Committee reserves the right not to recommend three recipients if they feel the submitted programs do not meet the criteria. 

CATEGORIES

Innovation in Public Risk Management recognizes programs that are notably innovative, successful and/or well received.  Entries may include, but are not limited to, department wide or city wide safety initiatives, innovative risk management programs or success in promoting risk management objectives. 

Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Program recognizes risk management programs that are particularly timely and effective in reducing or controlling losses.  Entries may include creative training methods, new procedures to protect employees and citizens, concentrated efforts to decrease losses or other successful risk management projects. 

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

• Cost effectiveness (Cost of initiating and maintaining program)
• Originality of approach (Is the program offering something new?)
• Transferability (Would other members benefit from adopting this program?)
• Benefits derived (Potential for minimizing losses; benefits to citizens, employees, etc.) 

AWARD

The city winning the Innovation in Public Risk Management will receive $1,000, and the winners of the Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Program will each receive $500.  Winners are encouraged to use these awards to further their risk management and safety related training.  Those chosen for the awards will receive special recognition in Risky Business.  The Awards application is printed below: 

MIAMI VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Public Risk Achievement Awards Application

To be considered for the Public Risk Achievement Awards, please complete the following application.  The Awards Committee will determine which submission, if any, should receive the award for Innovation in Public Risk Management and which submissions, if any, should receive the awards for Outstanding Achievement for a Public Risk Management Program.  Winners will be announced at the June Board Meeting.  Please attach additional pages, if necessary, and include copies of policies, brochures, posters, pictures, or other materials that might better explain the scope and benefits of the program you are submitting.  All submissions must be received at the MVRMA office by _(deadline will be announced each year)_ in order to be considered for the current year's awards' program.

Title of program for consideration: ________________________________________

Contact information:

            Name:  ________________________________________________

            Phone Number:            ____________________________________

            City/Department:          ____________________________________

Description of Program:

Approximate cost of initiating and maintaining program:

Describe program's cost effectiveness:

Is the program innovative?  Explain.

Would other members benefit from adopting this program?  Explain.

What benefits have been derived?  Explain the potential for minimizing losses and/or benefits to citizens, employees, etc.