Preparedness is the Key to Risk Reduction and Resilience

Speaker:
Irene Navis, AICP, Managing Partner, Navis Strategis Services, LLC

This session provides a framework for preparedness that can be used by the private sector, public sector and non-profit organizations to support the reduction of risk. This session demonstrates how investment in preparedness against both natural and man-made threats and hazards minimizes recovery time and expense, and promotes resilience strategies for both organizations and their employees. The session covers three case study examples of preparedness, response and recovery in Clark County, Nevada, and offers a number of tools and strategies for minimizing risk and maximizing resiliency that can be applied to any organization.

Learning Objectives:
1. Lessons learned from Clark County, NV disaster preparedness, response and recovery
2. Tools for enhancing business preparedness and response capability
3. How emergency management, risk management and resiliency are inextricably linked

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Law Enforcement Safety and Loss Control

Speakers:
Kurt Braatz, MPA, SPHR, Loss Control Manager, Arizona County Insurance Pool
Greg Veitch, Owner, Noble Cause Training and Development, LLC

The never ending challenges faced by risk managers and the law enforcement community
continue to evolve into 2021. This session will review new challenges brought to us by the year 2020 and will continue throughout our careers moving forward.

Learning Objectives:
1. Safety and loss control amidst COVID-19
2. A proficient understanding of police reform and safety programs

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A Scientific Review of COVID-19 Vaccine

Speakers:
Trang Nguyen, MD, PhD, President, MedicusRx

Alexis A. Nguyen, Student, Louisana State University

This session will present the latest medical literature of COVID-19 vaccines as well as its safety and efficacy. The attendees will have a thorough understanding of the different vaccine trials, and where and how they were conducted. Explanations of the safety and efficacy data will be provided.

Learning Objectives:
1. Basic understanding of vaccine development, phases of vaccine testing, FDA approval and production to distribution
2. Population immunization and herd immunity
3. An understanding of the safety/efficacy data of the COVID-19 vaccines to help attendees make informed decision.

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Title IX Emerging Risks and Their Impact on Public Entity Risk

Speaker:
Marilyn Rivers, CPCU, ARM, AIC, Director of Risk and Safety & Safety and Compliance Officer, City of Saratoga Springs, NY

Each of our communities have a rich fabric of diversity that is woven with multi-colored threads of different socioeconomic norms. The recently passed Title IX legislation changes the parameters for the reporting and response of alleged sexual assault and transgressions within our communities. Complexities continue to evolve regarding our society’s new normal and the expansion of how we view ourselves in the context of our community. This session will focus on creating proactive strategies to try and mitigate potential Title IX violations and environments which cultivate sexual misconduct.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the 2020 changes in protections of Title IX and their implications for risk programming for your organization
2. Identify a practical approach to proactively addressing and preventing potential misconduct as it pertains to Title IX within your community
3. Explore the consequences of Title IX violations, investigations and the balance of justice in determining penalties within the new parameters

Diversity & Inclusion: Insurance Industry Insights

Speaker:
Dan Myer, Director, Professional and Executive Liability Group, CRC Group

Chris Cavaliere, Partner, Shumaker

There is a growing trend of diversity-related claims under Directors and Officers insurance. During this session the speaker will discuss current diversity-related exposures and lawsuits. Attendees will learn how to proactively mitigate the risk and respond to the exposure.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding current diversity-related exposures & lawsuits
2. How D&O insurance responds in these situations
3. How current trends impact D&O insurance

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Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know

Speaker:
Kelvin Coleman, Executive Director, National Cyber Security Alliance

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is important to educate individuals on cybersecurity best practices. This session will identify current threats from malicious attackers. Further, the speaker will discuss the importance of convening with partners who recognize strength in the security collective.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify current threats from cyber malicious attackers
2. Educate individuals on cybersecurity best practice
3. Amplify the importance of convening with partners who recognize strength in the security collective

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Addressing PTSD Among Our Heroes

Speaker:
Teresa Bartlett, MD, Senior Vice President and Senior Medical Officer, Sedgwick

Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is showing up more frequently among our front-line heroes in the public sector. Many of our first responders and medical personnel routinely confront horrific or disturbing scenes while protecting those in the community. However, recent events across the country underscore the need to address PTSD on a much broader basis than in the past. Additionally, a person may have been the victim of assault, domestic violence, or car crash and bring associated consequences to the workplace including flashbacks or severe anxiety. This can impact the safety and productivity of that individual and those around them. This session will look at what public officials can do to identify and assist employees suffering from PTSD and what steps to take to minimize and mitigate its affect at the workplace.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe PTSD in terms of its causes and characteristics
2. Explain how someone suffering from PTSD might manifest symptoms at the workplace and possible consequences if left unchecked
3. Share ways public officials can help those suffering from PTSD and proactive strategies to have in place at work

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Environmental Risk Management: Weather, Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Speaker:
Ashley Bonner, Senior Risk Control Consultant, Trident Public Risk Solutions

As the Earth constantly evolves, we must change with it. We must be prepared for hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes and other disasters in moments of great uncertainty and limitations. We must gain knowledge that can help prevent or mitigate losses from these phenomenon. It is important to learn from other cities’ experiences, such as New Orleans, what worked and how to avoid what didn’t work by addressing: 1) how to best prepare and protect assets in advance, 2) what can and can’t be conserved, 3) how to recover and stabilize items for restoration, 4) preparing for and handling staffing concerns, and 5) security and financial resource considerations.

Learning Objectives:
1. How to best prepare to protect assets, staffing and the community
2. What assets can and can’t be conserved; recovering and stabilizing items for restoration
3. How to address financial and security needs

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Incident Command Strategies for Crisis Communication

Speaker:
Jason Stoddard, Director of School Safety and Security, Charles County Public Schools (MD)

In an effort to effectively address an unforeseen crisis that afflicts your entity, it is imperative to maintain a clear line of communication. This will require that all affected stakeholders are abreast of the situation in order to mitigate any unfavorable outcomes that may result from the crisis. During this session, attendees will learn of the Incident Command System with the hopes of successful implementation and response in the face of a catastrophic event.

Learning Objectives:
1. General understanding of what Incident Command and the Incident Command System is
2. An understanding of how crisis leadership is rooted in everyday leadership but requires a more strategic skill set
3. An understanding of how to create and build a proactive communication plan for crisis.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Speaker:

Megan Damato, Esq., Director of Risk Management, Town of Greenwich (CT) and Greenwich Public Schools

This presentation examines the growing importance of digital accessibility in today's evolving technological and regulatory landscape. Through practical insights, this presentation explores how organizations can create more inclusive digital experiences while strengthening governance, accountability, and long-term resilience. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the role accessibility plays in supporting organizational success, reducing barriers, and advancing equitable access for all users.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and assess legal and regulatory risk.
2. Identify and mitigate accessibility-related liabilities.
3. Integrate accessibility into current risk framework within your organization and with your team.

Download the PPT

Watch the Recording

Download DOJ Compliance Requirement Deadline Extension Notification

Emergency Deployment of Water Treatment Systems During Disasters

Speakers:

Jim Goodrich, Sr. Science Advisor – Environmental Solutions Division, Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, Environmental Protection Agency

Steven Combest, Chief Operating Officer, WaterStep

This presentation delves into the critical role of water treatment technologies in disaster response and recovery efforts. Through an overview of deployment strategies, operational considerations, and real-world case studies, attendees will gain insight into how emergency water treatment systems can help restore access to safe drinking water in affected communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the role of emergency water treatment systems in supporting disaster response and community recovery efforts.
2. Examine deployment strategies and operational considerations for implementing water treatment systems in emergency situations.
3. Analyze real-world case studies and applicable guidelines to identify best practices for effective emergency water treatment deployment.

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Watch the Recording

Infrastructure & Deferred Maintenance Risk: A Strategic Risk Management Challenge for Public Entities

Speakers:

Michelle Jordan, HR Manager – Risk, Benefits and Compliance, Clayton County Water Authority

Matt Phillips, Safety and Risk Manager, Hanover County (VA) Government

This presentation explores the growing challenges public organizations face in managing aging infrastructure and competing resource demands. The presentation examines how infrastructure conditions can influence organizational resilience, service delivery, and long-term sustainability, while highlighting strategic approaches that help public entities make informed decisions and strengthen their overall risk management efforts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand deferred maintenance risks.
2. Identify infrastructure risk indicators.
3. Examine financial and operational consequences.
4. Review practical risk mitigation skills.

Watch the Recording

Pot, Psychedelics and GLP-1s: Alternative Treatments in Workers’ Compensation

Speakers:

Sara Lowenthal, CPSI, AINS, Director of Safety and Risk, City of Hartford (CT)

Mark Pew, Founding Partner and Provost, WorkCompCollege.com

This presentation evaluates the evolving landscape of emerging and nontraditional treatment options within workers’ compensation programs. As societal attitudes, medical research, and regulatory frameworks continue to shift, organizations are increasingly faced with new questions regarding treatment effectiveness, policy implications, and claims management. This presentation examines current trends, legal and regulatory developments, and the potential impact of alternative treatments on public entity workers’ compensation programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate emerging trends and changing perceptions surrounding alternative treatments in workers’ compensation, including generational perspectives and evolving medical practices.
2. Examine the legal, regulatory, and policy considerations associated with marijuana, psychedelics, and other nontraditional treatment options.
3. Assess the potential opportunities and challenges that alternative treatments may present for workers’ compensation programs, particularly within public entities.

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Watch the Recording

Building Community Emergency Resiliency: Plan, Prepare and Prevail

Speaker:

Katie Durfee, Sr. Risk and Emergency Management Consultant, CIS

This presentation examines the critical role of preparedness and resilience in helping communities navigate emergencies and disasters. This presentation explores strategies for strengthening organizational readiness, fostering coordination among stakeholders, and enhancing community resilience before, during, and after disruptive events. Attendees will gain insight into the importance of proactive planning and the resources available to support effective response and recovery efforts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to prepare staff for disaster response and stay informed during crisis.
2. Learn how to build effective continuity plans.
3. Discover tools and community resources to help your family be prepared.

Watch the Recording

Download the Emergency Evacuation Kit Infographic

Download the Disaster Recovery Kit Guide

Download the Emergency Disaster Financial Planning Guide

Download the Wildfire Facility and Property Preparedness Checklist