From The Iowa County magazine July/August 2020 issue
RESOURCES FOR UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
County Risk Management Services, Inc. (CRMS) provides services for counties in Iowa through Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP), and Iowa Municipalities Workers' Compensation Association (IMWCA). Governmental pooling has grown tremendously over the last 35 years; in fact, 92 of Iowa’s 99 counties participate in some form of governmental pooling via ICAP, IMWCA, and the Heartland Pool.
The August 2019 issue of The Iowa County magazine provided the historical beginnings of CRMS, including the original two counties to join ICAP and IMWCA, Adair and Adams. Since that time, there has been steady growth attesting to the excellence of both programs.
Since the publication of the August 2019 issue, Russ Sporer has transitioned to a consultative role. Russ was a fixture at many events CRMS attends: Supervisors Statewide Meeting, ISAC Spring School, ISAC Annual Conference, ISAC Scholarship Golf Fundraiser, and Iowa State Association of County Auditors Conference. Russ has an extensive knowledge of most counties as well as their local agents.
CRMS works directly with your local agent as a liaison and resource with ICAP/IMWCA. We also work with county officials and their local insurance agents to help ensure counties have access to the coverages and resources they need to help prevent and respond to injury or loss to property or people. County activities range from A to Z (attorneys to zoning) and everything in between. Since counties have very unique exposures, CRMS representatives can share their vast array of experience - collectively over 200 years (that’s right, 200+ years!) - with local agents.
The CRMS website is www.crmsia.com. Available are direct links to: ICAP, IMWCA, ISAC, and the Iowa League of Cities.
Since the formation of ICAP/IMWCA and CRMS, there has not been an event like the one the state is currently experiencing, COVID-19. 2020 has been one for the record books. While visiting with a supervisor, I made the comment that I had not seen any one circumstance in my 50+ years that had such an impact on operations, including the turn of the century from 1999 to 2000. The reply was, “I haven’t seen anything like this in my 70+ years!”
We both agreed we were in unchartered territory. The great news is that ICAP and IMWCA are in the forefront of providing assistance and solutions for member during this difficult time. Our members’ welfare and safety are at the heart of loss control and risk management during this unprecedented time. Following are several resources available to you and the county.
IMWCA www.IMWCA.org | June 5, 2020 Informer issue has several links on reopening and guidelines
OSHA Revised Enforcement Guidance www.osha.gov/memos/2020-05-19/revised-enforcement-guidance-recording-cases-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
Iowa Department of Public Health https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/61/covid19/resources/IDPH%20Reopening%20Guidance%205_12_20.pdf
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/7/In%20the%20Workplace%2011x17%2004162020.pdf
CDC Business and Workplace Guidance
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
ICAP www.icapiowa.com | Includes a section on Coronavirus Resources
The ICAP UPDATE, Coronavirus Issue
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57053322f85082aac8d940ad/t/5e857fdd179bb450f86687ef/1585807332021/ICAP+Magazine-+Coronavirus.pdf
Various Coronavirus checklists and references
www.icapiowa.com/coronavirus
Office Checklist - Best Practices for Temporarily Working Remotely
https://apeepelibrary.com/
Both websites have a variety of links and topics developed specifically for its members to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. And of course, CRMS is also available to help you and your agent find resources to help.
In addition to these links, ICAP and IMWCA also have dedicated specialists available. ICAP’s cyber specialist, Colette Klier, and IMWCA’s human resource specialist, Lisa Mart, have a wealth of knowledge to assist members.
Colette advised that current cyber trends or online crimes reported to the FBI and Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) have quadrupled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Complaints have spiked from 1,000 daily prior to the pandemic to as many as 4,000 daily during the pandemic.
The top 5 Cyber Recommendations for members:
Disaster Recovery Plan with Cyber: 95%
Password Policy: 74%
Acceptable Use Policy: 73%
Records Management Plan: 54%
Anti-Virus End-Point Security: 51%
The majority of local governments do not have an inventory of their information technology assets and are not adequately prepared for a disaster, pandemic, or breach scenario. Colette can assist member counties and can be reached at 515.339.8321.
Cyber breaches reported that resulted in a claim include but are not limited to:
Hacked due to weak passwords
Ransomware attack
HIPAA breach via 3rd party
Special requests received during the pandemic have been related to:
Creating a telecommuting policy
Implementing payment cards online
Creating an incident response plan
A more in-depth look at IMWCA including the services they provide counties is included on the next page.
Your CRMS representatives can be reached anytime as well. We’re here to serve you!
IMWCA IN-DEPTH...
Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association (IMWCA) is a risk-sharing pool committed to partnering with cities, counties, and local government entities to provide a high-quality workers’ compensation program. For almost 40 years now, IMWCA has continued a tradition of excellence, providing affordable, stable coverage and a wide variety of services. Our mission is to help members keep employees safe through education and risk management.
IMWCA is a nonprofit organization born out of the insurance crisis of the 1980's when traditional, standard insurers refused to serve municipalities. A group of mayors asked the Iowa League of Cities (League) to help. With the League’s assistance, IMWCA was formed as an alternative to the standard insurance industry in 1981. In 1987, the program expanded to offer coverages and services to counties. Today, IMWCA provides quality workers’ compensation coverage and services to over 535 governmental entities, including over 364 cities, 80 counties, and 93 other governmental political subdivisions across Iowa.
A nine-member board of trustees comprised of leaders and elected and appointed officials from the membership govern IMWCA. The board of trustees contracts with the League to administer the program, which offers unparalleled personal service. IMWCA understands the unique challenges local governments face because we are governed by and exclusively serve local governments.
To support our members in keeping employees safe, we provide a number of resources, events, and programs that are included with their coverage at no charge. We encourage members to take advantage of these services to help in keeping their employees safe.
IMWCA is an endorsed program of ISAC. Created in 1981 as a risk-sharing pool that provides workers’ compensation coverage, IMWCA remains committed to serving local governments in Iowa. Learn more online at www.IMWCA.org.
EDUCATION
Workshops and Training | IMWCA hosts complimentary workshops for members, including the One-Day Safety University each October.
Online University | Members can take advantage of online, interactive training for all employees. The core curriculum includes 300+ courses available free to members.
The Informer | Find articles and videos on human resources, claims, safety, and more in our e-newsletter.
RISK MANGEMENT
On-site Safety Consultations and Training | Loss control representatives have extensive knowledge specific to municipalities. They are committed to spending time in our member counties to help with risk management and safety practices.
HR Specialist | Our certified human resources specialist, provides human resources assistance to help members manage their workers’ compensation exposures. Lisa Mart can assist and answer human resources questions counties are encountering due to the pandemic. She can be reached at 800.257.2708.
Model Programs | On our website, you’ll find model programs and policies on a large variety of topics, including designated physicians, return-to-work, incident review, and a seat belt policy which are all designed to enhance workplace safety.
RESOURCES
24/7 Injury Reporting | Know your employees are being taken care of, even as they file the first-report of injury, with Company Nurse Day-of-Injury reporting with 24-hour claims reporting and access to medical recommendations (triage) from a registered nurse.
OSHA 300 | When your employees report their injuries through Company Nurse, IMWCA’s 24/7 first-report of injury service, the RTWNow Tracker software will help produce your OSHA 300 and 300A reports.
Safety and Innovation Grants | Programs acknowledge innovative, successful safety practices and encourage idea sharing among the membership.