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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