Educating members through discussions about key legal issues and Pool services.

First responders operate in a difficult environment. In fact, most civilians have no idea the stressors of their daily work. One thing has become clear: These important jobs can quickly take a toll on the mental health of a city’s police, fire, EMS, animal control, and code enforcement personnel.

How can city officials ensure that first responders have the resources they need to stay healthy? The first step is to understand what they go through. The next is to provide them with tools to deal with it.

The Texas Police Chiefs Association's Officer Safety Committee and the TML Risk Pool created two such tools, which are our Resilience Strategies for First Responders and Moving Right of Bang: Critical Incident Early Intervention Strategies Workshops. Both are provided under the banner of TPCA’s VINCIBLE training program.

Rick Randall is the primary trainer for the workshops, which emphasize survival strategies for a healthy public safety career and a long and enjoyable retirement. Rick, a retired Austin senior police chaplain and trainer who became an expert over the course of his career, is CEO of the Randall Group 911.

In this episode, host Scott Houston visits with Rick about the specifics of first responder mental health and ways city management can support them.

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.”

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 brady.d.robinette@gmail.com for more information.

In this episode, Scott 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, and 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.

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.

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. Board Member comments were then incorporated into a summary of actions, which serves as a roadmap for the Pool’s loss prevention and other efforts. (Both documents are linked below.) 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 chase.stapp@tmlirp.org or 512-491-2440 for a no-cost consultation designed to promote excellence in law enforcement.

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.

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.

In this episode, Scott explains some of the practical and legal issues related to hiring remote employees, whether in Texas or out-of-state, and interviews several Risk Pool employees with expertise in the subject.

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.

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 scott.houston@tmlirp.org with questions or comments!

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.

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. 

In this special episode, Scott interviews Pool Deputy Director and C.O.O. Lindsey Fields about reinsurance — what it is, why the Pool has it, and how the Pool uses it.

In this special episode, Scott interviews Pool Executive Director Jeff Thompson about the major rate drivers and their effect on your 2023 rerates, the state of the Pool, and more. 

In this episode, Scott interviews Mike Rains. Mike is retiring after 37 years of service to the Pool and its Members. Listen to Mike’s insights about the Pool’s growth over his almost four-decade tenure.

Explains: (1) that the Texas Municipal League prepares an outstanding edition of Texas Town and City Magazine in January of legislative years called “How Cities Work;” and (2) reviews ways a city official can use the magazine to educate legislators and others.

In this episode, you’ll get to know City of Live Oak Mayor Mary M. Dennis, who was recently chosen to lead to Pool’s Board of Trustees. Scott and/or Mary would love to come speak at your event about the benefits of Pool Membership.

Explains: (1) several criminal offenses for which a local official can be indicted; (2) criminal offenses that can be perpetrated against a local government; and (3) various crime coverages offered by the Pool.

In this episode, special guest host Tamara Chafin, the Risk Pool’s Communications Officer, explains: (1) the role a Member Services Manager (MSM), plays at the Pool; and (2) interviews 2 of our MSMs: Linda Morvant and Marc Rodriguez.

In this episode, Scott: (1) explains the basics of the Public Information Act; and (2) interviews three city secretaries and an open government analyst for practical tips and advice.

Explains: (1) that work-related local government information held on private devices or in private accounts is public information; and (2) that a local government official or employee is a “temporary custodian” responsible for maintaining that information according to certain procedures.

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!

Explains preliminary forecasts, lessons from Florida’s Hurricane Ian last year, SynergyNDS (one of the Pool’s turnkey recovery partners), and more.

Explains: (1) the most important aspect of preparing for and recovering from damage caused by a hurricane; and (2) links below to a video of a comprehensive workshop presentation on the subject.

In this episode, Scott interviews Jeff Thompson (Risk Pool Executive Director) to get Jeff’s thoughts on the state of the Pool, rerates, and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: (1) about the STP Series and how it can help elected officials and other local officials and employees keep their citizens, employees, volunteers, and property safe, all while saving public dollars; (2) from a podcast fan and the Pool’s Executive Director about the benefits of the series; and (3) segments from three special episodes.

Explains: (1) the importance of shifting risk to the appropriate parties to a contract; and (2) the essential provisions that should be included in any major or high-exposure contract.

Explains: (1) the three most common human resources challenges and opportunities for local government employees; (2) training provided by the Pool to address behaviors that cause unhealthy conflict in the workplace.

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. 

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.  The Pool will provide participating Members with: (1) specifically designed resources and training to mitigate roadway risks; and (2) promotional materials to show they are R.O.A.D. Ready.
 
The Pool launched the program in January 2022 and has designated each successive January as R.O.A.D. Ready month. To participate, a Member should: (1) make a commitment to becoming R.O.A.D. Ready by providing internal roadway safety training or using the Pool’s resources to do so; and (2) participating in national roadway, vehicle, or work zone programs.
 
In this episode, you’ll hear more about why this initiative came about and why it’s so important.

Mentions a recent Texas Observer assertion that the Pool mistreated three first responders and explains that: (1) the Pool never tries to claw back benefits already received in a benefits determination appeal; (2) the workers’ compensation beneficiary determination process can seem calloused; and (3) appeal lawsuits are about determining who is the appropriate beneficiary.

Listen to "Workers' Compensation: First Responder Disease Presumption," the second part of the tenth episode in the TML Risk Pool’s STP Series. 
 
The TML Risk Pool provides workers’ compensation coverage for thousands of first responders. State law provides a special workers’ comp benefit to those employees, known as the disease presumption law. Simply put, the law “presumes” that first responders contracted certain diseases on the job for purposes of workers’ comp benefits. In this episode, you’ll hear about the presumption, how it’s administered, and how the Pool partners with Members to help guide them through the complex process.

The TML Risk Pool provides workers’ compensation coverage for more than 200,000 local government employees, and receives around 10,000 claims per year. The Workers’ Compensation Department is the largest of all the Pool’s departments, largely because the workers compensation process is highly-regulated by the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Texas Department of Insurance. In this episode, you’ll hear from key Pool staff about the process and how it’s administered, most importantly how we partner with Members to help guide them through the complex process.

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 cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

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. 

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.

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 our chance to learn from this chill-inducing story.

In this episode, Scott introduces the second of several short cybersecurity 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 next to this episode! If you can identify which pool employee plays Hacker Hank, email Scott at scott.houston@tmlirp.org for the chance to win a prize!

In this episode, Scott introduces the first 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 discuss “Hank’s Hacks,” which are the most common ways a hacker tricks local government employees into sending money, downloading ransomware, and more. This video is 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 next to this episode! If you can identify which pool employee plays Hacker Hank, email Scott at scott.houston@tmlirp.org for the chance to win a prize!

Local governments, in addition to the nuts-and-bolts services they provide, are actually just as much in the business of providing and maintaining information, and local officials should recognize that they should work at it just as hard at protecting that information as they do providing law enforcement and maintaining streets and water lines.

You’ve got to think of cybersecurity as part of your daily work serving and protecting your residents.  In today’s world, you just can’t afford to be unprepared – that’s true whether your population is 250,000 or 250.

In this episode, you’ll hear why local governments are frequently targeted by cyber-criminals, how the Risk Pool can help you avoid trouble on the front end, and that we’ve got your back should you get hacked.

Provides COVID-19 statistics and the story of Roger Dean – as told by his surviving family.  Roger was  a healthy 31-year-old Seguin firefighter who passed away after a months-long battle with COVID.

Explains: (1) that you may be liable for improper employment actions; and (2) the availability to speak with one of the Pool’s attorneys prior to taking action.

Explains: (1) the legalities of purchasing and rebuilding requirements after a hurricane or other disaster; and (2) how the Pool uses Synergy to assist Member recovery.

Explains the officer safety and risk management benefits when a Member’s law enforcement agency used the Vincible Training Program.

Explains how the Pool uses the BEST Roofing Program (Scott Franklin and 4T Partnership) to assist Member recovery.

Explains: (1) the law related to a local government’s liability for raw sewage backups into customers’ homes or businesses; and (2) the Pool’s opt-out and supplemental sewage backup coverage. 

The information in this episode becomes effective on September 1, 2021. In this episode, we talk about whether local governments can prohibit — or allow — employees to actually carry a gun while at work, and how that can affect your workplace and your risk of a lawsuit.

The information in this episode becomes effective on September 1, 2021. Explains the authority of a local government to prohibit or allow employees with a license to carry a handgun at work, the potential liability for doing so, and basics of the Pool’s coverage.

Explains: (1) why the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool was started and the services it provides; and (2) the STP Series and how it can help elected officials keep their citizens, employees, volunteers, and property safe, all while saving public dollars.