Public Risk Management

Public officials face a variety of liability lawsuits that have contributed to skyrocketing insurance costs. For many townships and small communities, these costs caused them to seek other forms of liability coverage, close parks, or remove playground equipment. Extension can provide risk management education for public officials to: explain the concept of risk management, develop an awareness of potential liabilities and alternative methods of insuring losses, and develop procedures to minimize liabilities in all areas of government.

The first national pilot study on risk management was conducted by the Kankakee County Extension Service in Illinois. The county Board of Supervisors and township officials were invited to meet and develop an awareness of public liability issues and policies to prevent lawsuits. Forty-eight officials attended the meeting and 31 indicated through written evaluations that the program motivated them to start managing risks. As a result of the pilot study, three other programs sponsored by Extension were aimed at police officers, road maintenance personnel, and township officials.

The first program was on suicide prevention in jails. Three prisoner suicides had occurred in the county jail in the last two years. Topics included warning signs that may be exhibited by potential suicide victims and procedures to follow in case of a suicide attempt. All of the 18 officers indicated that the program gave them good background information, especially in relation to teen suicides.

The second program presented information to 31 employees on roadside chemical application. Twenty-nine indicated they became more aware of environmental liability concerns and safety precautions to use during chemical applications.

The third program educated township officials on liability related to elected officials, roads and maintenance, hiring practices, and contracts. Thirty-six officials attended the session, representing every township in the county. All said they were more aware of risks, and that they needed to do a better job of communicating with one another.

The teaching outlines and materials used for this program were developed by a joint project of Extension Service-USDA, Public Risk Management Association, and Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, with funding from the Kellogg Foundation. Teaching outlines, suggestions, manuals, and workbooks, as well as a videotape, make the program interesting and easy to use.1 Extension staff involvement and local resources added to program interest.

The need for risk management education is timely because of increasing liability costs. Extension can be the leader in bringing the education to communities to enable citizens serving on a part-time basis and receiving limited training to save tax dollars through risk management procedures.

1. Materials can be ordered from Southern Rural Development Center, P. O. Box 5446, Mississippi State, MS 39762, at a cost of $23.50.