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SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund Expands Stryker Grant Program for 2018

For 8 years the SDML Workers’Compensation Fund has offered two grant programs to its members. Because these grant programs promote safety for our members, the SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund Board of Trustees approved both grant programs for the 2018 year on a first come first serve basis until the grant funds are exhausted. In 2017, the Stryker EMS grant was expanded to include the Stryker Power-LOAD™ system to allow more members the opportunity to apply for the grant. The Stryker EMS grant program includes a 60/40 matching grant to assist our membership in purchasing a Stryker Power-PRO™ ambulance cot or a Stryker StairPRO® stair chair. The Stryker Power-LOAD™ system is also available and set up to pay 33% of the list price.

The intent of this grant program is to provide a safer workplace for the EMT’s, firefighters, police officers, and alllocalgovernmentemployeesthatassisttheirambulance services to provide emergency transfer of patients. Over the past 8 years the SDML WC Fund has awarded 70 grants to our members that total over $168,000. Congratulations to the 11 grant recipients in 2017 listed below:

•WhiteAmbulance Service/City ofWhite • Lemmon-LEMTA/Perkins County • BurkeAmbulance Service/City of Burke • HurleyAmbulance/HurleyVolunteer Fire Dept. •Aberdeen Fire & Rescue/City ofAberdeen • Elkton CommunityAmbulance Svc/City of Elkton • EstellineAmbulance Service/City of Estelline • Deuel CountyAmbulance Service • Moody CountyAmbulance Service • FaithAmbulance Service/City of Faith • MissouriValleyAmbulance District

The second grant is in partnership with Stan Houston EquipmenttoassistmemberswiththepurchaseofanICS® SawPackage.TheICS®sawisverybeneficialinreducing

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-four grants that total over $39,000havebeenawardedtoourmembers.Congratulation tothe34grantrecipientslistedbelow:

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

Eligibilityforthesegrantsisverysimple. Theapplicantmust 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 selectioncriteriaisoutlinedintheapplication.

The SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund has always stressed the importance of using safety equipment and followingsafetyprocedures. Therearemanycomponentsto a successful safety program, beginning with leadership directionandsupport,whichthenflowstothesupervisorsand employees. We look forward to more participation in these programsandthereductionofinjuriestoyouremployees.

Thesegrantprogramscontinuetobeverypopular.The2017 grant funds were awarded in record time, so if you are considering applying for a grant, we encourage you to send your application before the grant funds are exhausted. The 2018grantperiodwillopenandapplicationswillbeaccepted beginningJanuary1,2018.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwouldlikeanapplication,please contact Brad Wilson, Ladene Bachtell or Gary Drewes at Insurance Benefits, Inc. Email: info@sdmlwcfund.com or Phone: 800-233-9073. The 2018 application will also available on our website at www.sdmlwcfund.com on December1,2017.

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