SPEC Program

(Safety Program Evaluation Checklist)

The Safety Program Evaluation Checklist Program was developed as a tool to be used by member Cities, as well as the MVRMA Staff, to determine what safety and loss control areas require improvement. It is completed by a representative from the Loss Control Department of MVRMA's Broker of Record and/or the MVRMA Loss Control Manager, and each City's Safety Coordinator at least once per year as part of a scheduled Site Visit. Documentation of compliance is required as part of the evaluation. This checklist also helps pinpoint topics that should be addressed in future MVRMA training seminars.

The SPEC Program, and in particular the subjects being evaluated, are reviewed each year by staff and compared with MVRMA's incurred loss history and with the "best practices" of loss control and risk management to assure that this program remains current and pertinent. The MVRMA Loss Control Manager is responsible for assisting members with their individual compliance with the standards of the SPEC Program.

In order to support members in complying with the Safety Performance Evaluation Checklist, a "SPEC Standards & Commentary" document has been developed to define the purpose for each SPEC standard, and methods by which a member may achieve compliance with the standard. Many members will far exceed these standards.

Beginning in 2007, a standard of at least 80% compliance for those members who have a loss to premium ratio that exceeds 60% was established.  If a member city fails to achieve the 80% compliance, based on an average of the last three SPEC scores, and has a loss to premium ratio that exceeds 60%, it will be expected to participate in a two-year improvement plan.  This plan will include quarterly loss control visits with MVRMA's Loss Control Manager, progress reports on the deficient areas and a commitment to increase the score for the next formal SPEC audit by 10%.  If, during this two-year period, the member attains the 80% compliance rating, no further action will be required.

Those member cities that achieve 100% compliance in the program will be exempt from the next year's SPEC audit. However, they will be required to participate in the program the following year. (amended 12/20/01)

Beginning in 1994, the city with the highest percentage of SPEC compliance received the "Excellence in Loss Control" award. In 1997 and subsequent years, two awards were conferred, the Ascension Award to the municipality with the most improved overall percentage of SPEC compliance, and the Pinnacle Award to the municipality with the best overall percentage of SPEC compliance. Winners of these awards were as follows:

For the complete SPEC Standards and Commentary, contact the MVRMA Office