“This grant will help us provide 16 emergency driving classes across the Commonwealth in 2021,” KACo Law Enforcement Specialist Phil Crumpton said.
“In law enforcement, when you look at causes of injury and death, it’s either use of force or driving,” Crumpton added. “It will definitely reduce risk and injuries to our law enforcement partners across the state. I would go as far as to even saying it will save lives.”
KACo’s entry in the grant process explained how, in the last five years, workers’ compensation has received more than 143 claims related to law enforcement collisions, with a total incurred cost of $1,494,609.
Collaborating with The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice, KACo is developing an eight-hour Emergency and Pursuit Driving Curriculum with half of the project already complete.
Once finalized, KACo will contract expert instructors to deliver the class regionally across the state to approximately 500 officers annually.
One-third of these officers are covered by KACo’s workers’ compensation fund. While this program’s cost could reach up to $20,000 annually, KACo anticipates a 25 percent reduction in claims the next five years, saving more than $373,652.
A first place $10,000 matching grant was awarded to Nebraska Medicine to apply an automated ticketing system with their existing environmental, health and safety rounding program.
Virginia Auto Dealers Group Self-Insurance Association received a second place $5,000 matching grant for tire handling devices for their auto dealer insureds.
The Safety First Grant Program is available to any Safety National workers’ compensation insurance policyholder with a risk control solution that aligns with Safety National’s lines of coverage. The next grant application period will open in June 2021.
