Risk-Sharing News

Risk-Sharing

SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund Expands Grant Program for the 2017 Year

For seven years the SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund has offered two grant programs to its members. Because these grant programs promote safety, the SDML WC Fund Board of Trustees decided to offer both grant programs for the 2017 year on a first come first serve basis until the grant funds are exhausted. The Board also decided to expand the Stryker EMS grant to include the Stryker Power-LOAD™ system. In previous years the Stryker EMS grant program included a 60/40 matching grant to assist our membership in purchasing a Stryker Power-PRO™ ambulance cot or a Stryker Stair-PRO® stair chair. That grant is still available. The expanded part of the grant which includes the Stryker Power-LOAD™ system and is set up to pay 33% of the list price. This will allow more members the opportunity to apply for the grant.

The intent of this grant program is to provide a safer workplace for the voluntary EMT’s, firefighters, police officers, and all local government employees that assist their ambulance services to provide emergency transfer of patients. Over the past seven years the SDML WC Fund has awarded 53 grants to our members that total over $130,000. Congratulations to the 2016 grant recipients listed below:

j Colome VFD/Tripp Co Amb/Tripp County j Kimball Ambulance District/City of Kimball j Burke Ambulance Service/City of Burke j Hill City Ambulance (Pennington Co Fire) j Wagner-Lake Andes Ambulance District j Custer Ambulance Service j Stickney Ambulance Service/City of Stickney j Newell Ambulance Svc/Butte Co Ambulance

The second grant is in partnership with Stan Houston Equipment to assist members with the purchase of an ICS® Saw Package. The ICS® saw is very beneficial in reducing the risk of injury during activities that require the use of a chop saw, particularly to cut and repair broken water pipes in a confined space. Thirty-three grants that total over $38,000 have been awarded to our members. Congratulation to the 33 grant recipients listed below:

j Beresford j Box Elder j Buffalo j Colman j Custer j Deadwood j Dell Rapids j Edgemont j Elk Point j Faulkton j Flandreau j Gregory j Groton j Huron j Lead j Marion j Mission j Mitchell j New Underwood j Onida j Parker j Parkston j Philip j Pierre j Redfield j Rosholt j Sturgis j Wagner j Watertown j Webster j Woonsocket j Winner j Yankton

Eligibility for these grants is very simple. The applicant must be a member of the SDML WC Fund as of the date of the grant application and in the year the grant is awarded. Also, the member must meet several selection criteria, including compliance with loss control safety recommendations for every department of the member. The complete list of selection criteria is outlined in the application.

The SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund has always stressed the importance of using safety equipment and following safety procedures. There are many components to a successful safety program, beginning with leadership direction and support, which then flows to the supervisors and employees. We look forward to more participation in these programs and the reduction of injuries to your employees.

These grant programs continue to be very popular so if you are considering applying for a grant, we encourage you to send your application before the grant funds are exhausted. The 2017 grant period will open on January 1, 2017.

If you have any questions or would like an application, contact Brad Wilson, Ladene Bachtell or Gary Drewes at Insurance Benefits, Inc. Email: info@sdmlwcfund.com or Phone: 800-233-9073. The application is also available at www.sdmlwcfund.com.

Brad Wilson, Administrator, CIC, AIC, SDWCS SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund Phone: 800-233-9073, Fax: 605-275-6193 info@sdmlwcfund.com www.sdmlwcfund.com