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LossCAP Update
Have you heard the buzz about the Authority’s new LossCAP program? Since the announcement of LossCAP in the Summer/Fall 2007 edition of The Authority, the program has moved into full swing. Response has been great and members are excited!
LossCAP (Loss Control Action Plan) was developed in response to the member survey results, where members indicated they would like assistance implementing recommendations stemming from risk management evaluations. LossCAP is the vehicle that makes that assistance possible, and allows the Authority to truly partner with each member in developing action plans for managing risk identified during the risk management evaluation. Member’s losses are also analyzed and summarized to show how each member is performing compared to pool.
Loss Control Action Plans assist in identifying resource needs, creating accountability, and identifying target completion dates. Implementation plans are intended to address each of the recommended action items identified in the risk management evaluation report that a member sees merit in. Action items address areas of loss exposure and past loss history, and are prioritized based on the severity of loss exposure, with completion dates structured over a 12 to 24 month time period.
Throughout the duration of the implementation plan, members work directly with the Authority to ensure member resource needs are understood and met. Effective management of risk exposures and improvement of your agency’s loss experience is always the best way to reduce an agency’s cost of coverage.
In the second and third quarters of 2008, the Authority completed 34 risk management evaluations. Staff has subsequently made LossCAP presentations to member senior management at 10 agencies. Response from the first set of members participating in LossCAP has been very positive, and each has indicated desire to work with Authority staff to develop and complete a personalized Loss Control Action Plan.
Should you have any questions regarding this effective new service program, please contact your assigned Risk Consultant. Risk Consultant and Training Specialist assignments are available at www.cjpia.org/4dcgi/about/rm_contacts.shtml.
Holiday Safety Tips for Public Buildings
As the holiday season approaches and plans are developed to decorate public buildings, the California JPIA would like to remind its members of the following holiday safety tips when using live trees, artificial decorations, and lighting indoors. Members should consult with their local fire official about their decorating plans including putting live trees in public buildings. The California Fire Code and California Code of Regulation Title 19 have specific requirements for the use of decorative material in public buildings.
Live tree
If the tree has been freshly cut, needles should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the trunk should be sticky to the touch. If you bounce the tree trunk on the ground and too many needles fall off, it is a sign that it has dried out and is a fire hazard. State and local regulations may require flame retardant be applied to a live tree before use in a public building.
Placement of trees
Trees should not be placed close to a heat source, including heat vents since the heat will dry out the tree and make it more susceptible to ignition from heat, flame, or spark. Live trees consume large quantities of water. Keeping the tree stand filled with water at all times is crucial as is not keeping a tree up for more than two weeks. When the tree becomes dry, it must be removed from the building promptly and disposed of properly.
Holiday lights
Only lights that are listed by an approved testing laboratory (UL) should be used. Before installing the lights it is important to inspect for excessive kinking or wear, frayed wires, gaps in insulation, bare spots, and cracked or broken sockets.
Don’t overloading electrical circuits
No more than three sets of lights should be connected together unless directions indicate that it is safe to do so. The wiring of holiday lights should be checked periodically to make sure that it is not warm to the touch. Holiday lights should not be left on when unattended.
Holiday decorations
Holiday decorations should not be placed near sources of heat or flame, including heat vents. Only nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations should be used. Artificial trees should be flame-retardant.
The California JPIA encourages its members to follow these basic safety tips this holiday season.
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