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This year marks the 21st annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages every American to take steps to “Secure Our World.”
In this episode, host Scott Houston – and the Risk Pool’s Cyber Squad – discuss ways to help you avoid being the victim of a cyberattack. The squad consists of Cyber Risk Services Manager Ryan Burns and Senior Cybersecurity Advisor Mike Bell. Ryan and Mike are an experienced team that offers Pool Members no-cost preventative services like: (1) cybersecurity best practices; (2) information security policy review/development; (3) incident response plan review; and much more.
The Cyber Squad’s YouTube Video Log provides up-to-date information you need to know. We’ll drop a new vlog each week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, starting with “The Current Cybersecurity Threat Landscape” on October 1.
Is your world secure? Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today through your Risk Management Advisor, by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing [email protected].
Further Information
TML Risk Pool’s Cyber Squad YouTube Channel (Video Logs)CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month WebpageTML Risk Pool’s Cyber Liability WebpageTML Risk Pool’s Cyber Squad Information Sheet -
In this episode, host Scott Houston – and guest TML General Counsel Bill Longley – explain H.B. 471 (effective September 1, 2023) and TML Risk Pool coverage designed to assist Members with compliance costs. The bill enacted a new state law (Local Government Code Chapter 177A) that requires a city (and any other political subdivision) to provide a firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical services employee a leave of absence for an illness or injury related to their line of duty. The leave is with “full pay” for a period “commensurate with the nature of the line of duty illness or injury,” up to at least one year. The complex bill also requires a city to provide additional benefits, including a light-duty return to work option.
The benefit required by the bill appears to be offset by indemnity benefits provided by the city’s workers’ compensation benefits. In other words, the bill doesn’t seem to require a city to pay a first responder’s full salary in addition to workers’ compensation income benefits. It presumably requires only that the city make up the differential or “gap” between workers’ compensation benefits and the first responders’ “full pay.”
Beginning October 1, 2024, the TML Risk Pool will provide a line of coverage that can assist Members with some of the costs to offset the pay gap. More specifically, a Pool Member with Workers’ Compensation and General Liability Coverage can elect to purchase the “Reimbursement of First Responder Injury/Illness Leave Supplemental Income Gap Expenses” Endorsement.
The Endorsement is designed to help a Member offset some of the “gap” using a pre-set formula based on workers’ compensation benefit calculations. To emphasize, the payment is to the Member entity, not the individual first responder. Depending on a first responder’s pay, how a city implements H.B. 471, and other factors, the endorsement may not fully cover the “gap” between a first responder’s workers’ compensation benefit and their “full pay.”
Further Information
TML Risk Pool’s H.B. 471 FAQTexas Local Government Code Chapter 177A: Illness or Injury Leave of Absence for Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel of Political SubdivisionHouse Bill 471 (2023) -
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On January 11, 2020, in Lubbock, a driver from the opposing lane of travel crossed the median while emergency crews were working the scene of an accident. Firefighter Lieutenant Eric Hill and Police Officer Nicholas Reyna were killed. Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Dawson suffered many broken bones across his legs, arms, and torso, a cracked skull along with multiple orbital fractures, and a traumatic brain injury. After working tirelessly to recover, Dawson also ultimately passed away in 2024.
In this episode, Scott visits with Lubbock Firefighter Brady Robinette about the use of specialized helmets by first responders working roadway incidents. “If those involved were wearing helmets constructed according to standards designed to protect their heads against the impacts they experienced, would the results have been different? Would the head injuries have been less serious?” Those questions have led Robinette to make it his mission to educate local officials on the issue.
Interested Members are encouraged to reach out to him at [email protected] for more information.
Further Information
Roadway Incident Operations: What Is the Right Helmet for the Job? – Brady RobinetteWhat’s Your Head Worth PowerPoint Presentation ASTM Helmet StandardASTM Standard Specification for Protective Helmets Worn by Pedestrian Roadway WorkersResponderSafety – Roadway Helmet Press Release for the above ASTM standardResponderSafety – Helmets and Head Protection (This page stays up-to-date on all of the latest news about roadway helmets.) -
In this episode, Scott first speaks with Arkansas Municipal League Executive Director Mark Hayes. Mark lost his son Wells in 2020 to a drug overdose. Mark and his wife Allison decided to share Wells’ story as publicly as they can in the hopes that doing so helps others avoid such a tragedy. Mark is also a co-founder of the Arkansas Opioids Recovery Partnership, which uses millions in drug company settlement funds to fight the opioid epidemic in Arkansas.
Scott then explains the TML Risk Pool’s Partnership Award, which was given to the City of Laredo for its outstanding efforts to fight overdoses locally. The city’s efforts run the gamut from prevention campaigns and treatment centers to overdose response and law enforcement operations. Scott interviews Laredo Police Chief Miguel A. Rodriguez, Jr., who highlights the city’s efforts.
This episode is so compelling it goes longer than a typical 15-minute STP episode. Every city official will want to listen to and learn from Wells’ story and Mark’s efforts, as well as those of the City of Laredo.
The Arkansas Opioid Recovery PartnershipCity of Laredo Opioid Response PowerPoint PresentationLaredo/Webb County Drug and Alcohol CommissionROOTS Recovery CenterPILLAR Treatment CenterNLC Cities Speak Podcast: Fighting the Opioid Crisis with Mark & Alison HayesTexas Opioid Abatement Fund Council
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Cybersecurity threats are changing, emerging, and growing every day to include city funds, government websites, and water systems and other infrastructure. Local officials should stay aware of the changing cybersecurity landscape and evolving hacker tactics. In this episode, Scott interviews Dr. Michael Ramage, Director of Cyber Education and Research Center at Murray State University, to learn about the most important issues to know. Dr. Ramage will also present a more in-depth version of this discussion at the 2024 TML Annual Conference and Exhibition in October. Don’t miss this episode or the presentation, both of which provide an overview of the dangers facing your communities, while highlighting steps and governance necessary to protect your network, data, and, ultimately, your people.
Murray State University Cyber Program Home PageMurray State Cyber Center YouTube Channel (Including 10 @ 10)2024 TML Annual Conference Cyber Presentation – Friday Agenda (see 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.)TML Risk Pool’s Cyber Bytes #3: Preventing Fraudulent InstructionTML Risk Pool’s Cyber Liability Home Page
Further Information: -
In this episode, Scott explains the predictions for the 2024 hurricane season and visits with a special guest – Matthew Rosencrans, the Climate Testbed Director at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – to get his top three things a local official should know about this season. Unsurprisingly, being prepared is one thing. Local officials from almost every part of the state should tune in to learn about one you might not know!
Further information:
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Preparedness Website and 2024 Season Predictions
Colorado State University Climate Prediction Center 2024 forecast
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hurricane Preparedness and Evacuation Planning Website
Texas Department of Emergency Management’s Preparedness Website
TML Risk Pool’s Hurricane Resources Web Page
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In this episode, Scott visits with a public relations/communications expert about what a city or other local government official should know about communicating with the public and media during a crisis. Be it severe weather, an act of violence, or any other catastrophic event, elected officials, city managers, and city attorneys need to know the basics. This episode also mentions the Pool’s new qualifying crisis incident coverage, which can provide the services of a crisis management firm to assist Risk Pool Members during a qualifying crisis that leads to intense media scrutiny.
League of Minnesota Cities: Guide for Communicating During a City CrisisPublic Entity Engagement Roundtable LMC Presentation: Why Crisis Comms Support Matters to Our MembersPLUS Communications: John Wittman Contact Information
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In this episode, Scott explains the Pool’s internal efforts to ensure appropriate resources are provided to the approximately 800 law enforcement departments covered by the Pool. The efforts began with a July 2023 preliminary report that was presented to the Board of Trustees for their consideration. The Board's comments were then incorporated into a summary of actions, which serves as a roadmap for the Pool’s loss prevention and other efforts. After explaining the summary, Scott interviews Charles “Chase” Stapp, the Pool’s Law Enforcement Consultant, about how he can assist departments with risk management efforts that save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property. Members are encouraged to reach out to Chase at [email protected] or 512-491-2440 for a no-cost consultation designed to promote excellence in law enforcement.
Further Information
The Pool’s Role in Supporting Excellence in Law Enforcement – A Preliminary Report for Board of Trustees ConsiderationTML Risk Pool’s Support for Excellence in Law Enforcement – Summary of Actions -
In this special report, you’ll hear from Jeff Thompson (Executive Director) and Aaron Hardiman (Risk Services Manager) as they explain the state of the Pool, the major rate drivers, and their effect on your 2024–2025 rerates.
Further Information
TML Risk Pool Board of Trustees Adopts 2024-2025 RatesTML Risk Pool Board of Trustees Adopts 2024-2025 Rates (Housing Authority Edition) -
Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191 mandates cybersecurity training for local government employees, elected officials, and appointed officials who have access to a local government computer system or database and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties. The training must be certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) – both this podcast and the YouTube video linked to the left are DIR-approved.
This episode isn’t some boring episode. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy – Ryan Burns – and his buddy – Hacker Hank – as they discuss ways that “Hank Hacks” trick local government employees into sending money, downloading ransomware, and more!
A local government has two ways to track and report completion of the training: (1) a local government can keep track of participants internally and certify its compliance by August 31, 2024, using the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments form; or (2) DIR has developed an optional tool, Texas by Texas (TxT), for a local government to track compliance of participant’s training compliance.
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In this episode, Scott talks about Robert Greenleaf’s seminal essay “The Servant as Leader.” Servant leadership is not about a personal quest for power, prestige, or material rewards. Instead, from this perspective, leadership begins with a true motivation to serve others. Scott is joined by a special guest – his Dad (hey, the price was right) – who speaks about one man’s experience practicing the philosophy over 50 years in business.
Further Information
The Servant as Leader Download (Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership - $4.99)
Ten Principles of Servant Leadership from Indeed
Business Insurance New Names TML Risk Pool to 2020 “Best Places to Work” List
TDIndustries “What Does Servant Leadership Mean?”
Strategic Government Resources
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In this eye-opening episode, Scott interviews City of Tomball Assistant City Manager Jessica Rogers. Cyber-criminals hacked Tomball at the end of 2022, and the city is still – one year later – dealing with the aftermath. In this episode – which should be required listening for every city manager in Texas (and beyond) – Jessica explains exactly what it’s like to have essentially every computer system go down, including 9-1-1 dispatch, utility metering and billing, permitting, and everything in between. She’ll also describe the long road to getting everything up-and-running. Don’t miss this chill-inducing story.
Further Information:
Texas City Management Association’s “TCMA Messenger” Newsletter article: “There and Back Again, An ACM’s Journey”Center for Internet Security’s 2022 Nationwide Cybersecurity ReviewTML Risk Pool’s Cyber Liability Home Page -
The year 2023 has seen multiple city employee struck by fatalities on Texas roadways. The TML Risk Pool’s goal is to reduce that to zero in 2024, and we’ve developed a program to do just that. R.O.A.D. Ready is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising member awareness of dangers on and near roadways, and January is R.O.A.D. Ready month. Listen in to learn how you can participate and stop one of your employees from being a statistic.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
R.O.A.D. Ready Web Page
Find You Safety and Loss Control Consultant
Safety @ Your Fingertips Sign Up
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In this episode, Scott interviews Dripping Springs City Attorney and Texas City Attorneys Association Board Member Laura Mueller. In it, Laura explains how the law limits the circumstances in which a city or other local government can drug test its employees. Lots of entities are improperly drug testing employees, and this short interview can help set them straight. Check out the podcast as usual or watch the interview by clicking on the video to the left of this episode.
Further Information:“Weeding Out Bad Employees: Random Drugs Testing and Cities 2023 Update” prepared by Laura Mueller and recently presented to the Texas City Attorneys Association.
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In this special, abbreviated episode, Scott welcomes you back from the TML Annual Conference and Exhibition and explains more about the TML Risk Pool and what we offer our Members. He describes a few of the Pool’s most important Member benefits and encourages elected officials to learn more by reviewing the 50th Anniversary Pamphlet. In it, you’ll learn about why TML created the Pool, why we’re the best value proposition for cities, and our coverages and loss prevention services. Reach out to Scott at [email protected] with questions or comments!
Further Information:
TML Risk Pool’s 50th Anniversary Pamphlet
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In this episode, Scott introduces the second of several short cyber security training videos. This isn’t some boring webinar. No way. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy, Ryan Burns, and his buddy Hacker Hank as they continue to educate you about all sorts of cyber perils. These videos are hilarious! You can listen in traditional podcast format, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t watch the nine-minute YouTube video version linked here! If you can identify which pool employee plays Hacker Hank, email Scott at [email protected] for the chance to win a prize!
Further Information:
DIR Cyber Incident Reporting Requirement -
In this episode, Scott explains State of Texas code enforcement officer certification and training and he interviews City of Irving Assistant City Manager Teresa Adrian, Code Enforcement Director Shain Diller, and Deputy City Attorney Janet Spugnardi about practical and legal challenges related to code enforcement.
Further Information:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation New Code Enforcement Officer in Training Registration.Texas Department of State Health Services Code Enforcement Certification and Training Website.Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Basic Code Enforcement Officer Training. -
Únase al anfitrión invitado especial Víctor Flores, abogado de la ciudad de Mission y miembro de la Junta de Síndicos del Grupo de Riesgos de TML, mientras explica en español: (1) que el Grupo de Riesgos de TML proporciona propiedad, responsabilidad civil, compensación laboral y cobertura cibernética; (2) que el departamento de prevención de pérdidas del Pool puede proporcionar capacitaciones para mantener seguros a los empleados mientras trabajan.
Join special guest host Victor Flores, Mission City Attorney and TML Risk Pool Board of Trustees member, as he explains (in Spanish): (1) that the TML Risk Pool provides property, liability, workers’ compensation, and cyber coverage; (2) that the Pool’s loss prevention department can provide resources to keep employees safe while at work.
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