By Abraham Han, Management Analyst
This year’s virtual Risk Management Educational Forum, Resilient Together, featured a video tribute to the California Joint Powers Authority’s (California JPIA) members. The tribute video highlighted the many different challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and also inspired attendees through sharing stories of resilience and overcoming obstacles in these unprecedented times.
The Authority received an overwhelming response to requests for submissions. Several members expressed the challenges of finances and staffing being impacted by the pandemic. Others mentioned the difficulty in continuing to provide a high level of service to the community through solutions such as remote work and proper distancing procedures. Others faced the additional hardship of a natural disaster during the pandemic, such as the fires in the City of Malibu.
Although a wide range of obstacles continue, the Authority’s members have adapted to the changing times. The City of Calabasas extended a grant program for businesses that was impacted by the pandemic, and the city also offered online community programs. The City of Lakewood carried out a community event through a socially distanced drive-through. The City of Norwalk set up new cleaning and distancing procedures for its public transportation, which also serves surrounding communities that need the system for work and travel. These are just a few of the amazing efforts that were highlighted during Resilient Together.
Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 40 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 120 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive risk management training and loss control services.
