County Towns Share JIF Safety Awards

VINELAND — Officials from 43 Atlantic, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester county municipalities received awards at the 20th annual Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (ACMJIF) Safety Kickoff Breakfast on Feb. 19, at Merighi’s Savoy Inn.
According to a release, those awards recognized safety measures implemented by the municipalities, which in turn save thousands of dollars each year through reduced accidents and lowered claims payments.
The event celebrated 2008 JIF member safety accomplishments and launched the 2009 Safety Incentive Program. The ACMJIF Safety Incentive Program focuses on lowering the risks associated with municipal operations — primarily in preventing accidents causing injury to municipal employees or members of the public.
More importantly, municipal employees reap the benefits of a safer work environment, the release continued.
The Safety Incentive Program rewards each member municipality based upon their support and dedication to promoting employee awareness of the JIF safety policies, meeting safety criteria such as holding regular safety committee meetings, completing monthly safety inspection check lists, attending safety training seminars, completing thorough accident investigations, and viewing safety training videos with employees.
The response to the breakfast was overwhelmingly positive, according to JIF Executive Director Paul Miola. “All of the JIF program participants walked away as winners this year because they are taking active steps to prevent workplace injuries and save tax dollars in the process,” Miola said.
The JIF created the Qualifier, Bronze, Silver, and Gold award categories within the five size categories (Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large) of the member municipalities. Members qualify by meeting at least 75 percent of the JIF safety criteria and receive corresponding monetary awards for their level of participation and size. Individual exemplary municipal employees receive rewards as well. The awards are to be used for the purchase of safety equipment, safety training, or for the recognition of employee safety efforts.
Cape May County members receiving awards were:
Basic Qualifiers who achieved 75 percent of JIF Safety Criteria:
Wildwood, $2,200, Dennis Township, $1,300.
Bronze Award Winners who achieved 85 percent of JIF Safety Criteria:
Cape May Point, $1,200, Sea Isle City, $2,200, Stone Harbor, $1,900Upper Township– $1,900, West Cape May, $1,200, Cape May City, $1,900, Wildwood Crest, $1,900.
Silver Award Winners who achieved 90 percent of JIF Safety Criteria:
North Wildwood, $2,600, Middle Township, $2,600, West Wildwood, $1,400, Avalon, $2,200, Ocean City, $3,000.
Gold Award Winners for achieving 95 percent of JIF Safety Criteria:
Lower Township, $3,050.
Special Recognition Awards:
Doug Ford and the Buildings and Grounds Department of Borough of North Wildwood were recognized for implementing the daily inspection program and keeping a log of repairs and general maintenance which has resulted in the successful defense of boardwalk liability claims.
Bob Ogourec and Charlie Bowman from the City of Ocean City were also commended for pulling together speakers, format, and agenda for the Lifeguard Symposium and extensive help to the JIF in preparing for the seasonal orientation video: “101 Days of Summer”.
Honorable mention for the special recognition awards went to Constance Mahon from Cape May Point for the development of a Seasonal Employee Handbook and Orientation; to Patricia Allen from the Sea Isle City Beach Department for her “TLC” and Keeping Beach Badge Checkers Safe; and to the Public Works Department of West Cape May for their extraordinary safety efforts.
Each honoree for the Special Recognition Awards received a plaque and will be treated to a luncheon with their co-workers.
Joint Insurance Funds allow New Jersey municipalities to collectively pool money for insurance coverage. The JIF manages its expenses while using extensive loss prevention and claims management programs to reduce amounts paid out for accidents and injuries. The result is lower insurance costs and return of 100% of the JIF profits. ACMJIF members received $1,856,848 in dividends last year and have collected $20,322,986 since the inception of the Fund.