What is Risk Management? A good question for those who have never heard of our department, let alone know what we do! In fact, Risk Management is many things and offers many services. These services include, the administration of property, liability and auto claims, workers' compensation claims, contract review, safety awareness and training, loss control, chemical management, a commercial driver's license drug testing program, and procurement of insurance. Risk Management also includes the budgeting and management of Pinellas County's Self-Insurance Risk Management fund, identification of risk, as well as the mitigation and transfer of those risks.

In Risk Management our main goal is to protect the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Appointing Authorities and their employees from loss and injury, as well as protecting the financial structure of our governmental system. We strive to mitigate losses with mutual respect and understanding of all county departments under the Board of County Commissioners and Appointing Authorities. Initially, we establish policies and procedures on loss control giving clear guidance to all areas within our governmental system. Next, we continuous train supervisory staff and their employees of potential losses that may occur in day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, we cannot stop everything from happening; therefore, when the occasional event does occur a Risk Management procedure is initiated. A rapid accident investigation and detailed claims process begins to prevent similar circumstances from happening again. Another way to protect Pinellas County is with information sharing. We can use knowledge from past losses and advise other departments of needed changes in future County procedures and agreements. Most importantly, when working with other departments within our governmental system we can plan for needed training, preventive measures, and working in unison when mishaps do occur.

Exercising governmental guidelines, we offer full public service within a strict budgetary line. Risk Management reviews and makes recommendations where changes can be made within our own department and others. Risk Management determines whether to purchase insurance or to self-insure by gathering and analyzing data. Occasionally, Pinellas County will opt to purchase outside insurance for various events. Risk Management assists this decision by determining needed coverage to secure the event, without wasting money on unnecessary coverage. With the evaluation of needs versus costs we are better able to serve the citizens of Pinellas County.

A primary focus within Risk Management is the mitigation of risk. The key to mitigating risks is the identification of potential exposure that may cause the risk (loss) within the County. Using various resources, Risk Management is able to track current losses occurring within the county, other governmental organizations and private entities. This information is then analyzed to determine a correct course of action. We strive to reduce our loss exposure through monitoring activities, monitoring changing procedure, creating policy, and educational training. Leading from the past into the future, changes occur in both the business and legal world that cause changes in the decision process for Risk Management; but we can control the situations by identifying and analyzing the risks as they occur. To control risks, we minimize them through prevention strategies, transfer them to other sources, and monitor those we are unable to control; but without assistance from other departments, these sources of information and prevention strategies would not work.

Future needs of Pinellas County are presented to and acted upon by management staff within Pinellas County Government, including the Director of Risk Management. To keep the County from being placed in high risk situations we may be unable or unprepared to pay, management reviews situations, make decisions, and acts upon them to suit the needs of Pinellas County Citizens. Pinellas County Government places the utmost focus on premier management, assuring us these decisions and actions are sound.

As you can see, there are many facets to risk management. It’s been a long journey through the halls of, “What is Risk Management”, but hopefully you are better informed and can take some of our knowledge with you! To be successful, many team members must pull together. The Pinellas County Risk Management Team successes are based on knowledge and experience of loss exposure, interaction, planning, and management. With the listed successes we are better able to identify and prevent losses, institute polices and procedures, as well as create a solid financial budget. All in all, Pinellas County Risk Management is working hard to protect and insure all of us and our future governmental needs.

 

400 South Ft. Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3664 / Fax (727) 464-4060

 

 

 

 

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