2021 Risk Management Grant and Recognition Winners Announced
Ingenuity, observational skills and a commitment to safety culture were winning combinations for 14 PDRMA members, all recipients of Risk Management Grant and Recognition cash awards for 2021 (with some agencies earning multiple grants!).
The annual program has up to $15,000 to award for innovative solutions to safety challenges. “Some of the problems described in the entries are likely familiar to other PDRMA members,” says Tim Lenac, Risk Management Services Supervisor. “This year’s winners managed to take a second look at some issues and propose innovative solutions, scoring cash grants of up to $2,500.”
Remember that it’s never too early to apply for a 2022 grant, either. You have to submit your applications — a maximum of two per agency — by Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, to RMGrant@pdrma.org.
 Buffalo Grove Park District — $500
Garbage Truck with Holder Attachment
The agency’s new hydraulic lift for its garbage truck allows staffers to place bags in a receptacle that then unloads them into the dumpster with no lifting, twisting or risking employee injury.
 Forest Preserve District of Kane County — $2,500
Police Patrol E-bike
Now that the forest preserve allows E-bikes on linear trails, the purchase of a police patrol e-bike will allow police to patrol areas more quickly and demonstrate safe E-bike use to patrons.
 Frankfort Square Park District — $750
Broomball Shoes
The new Broomball Shoes feature gummy, rubber soles and suction cups that grip ice well and provide solid traction, reducing the risk of employee slip, trip and fall incidents in winter.
 Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) — $500
Long Haul Back Safety
NEDSRA is purchasing push carts and wagons to help transport program supplies and equipment throughout its facility thus reducing employee injury from lifting and carrying items.
 Oak Brook Park District — $500
Emergency Trail Markers
The agency’s largest park — Central Park with 105 acres and 2.3 miles of trails — will have improved search and rescue response time with seven wayfinding signage posts, each with water-resistant, reflective numbered emergency trail marker stickers. Local police, fire and dispatch all know the locations of the seven stickers. The signs will also carry QR codes, so smartphones can download more map information, park safety rules and information/directions on using the emergency trail markers when calling 911.
 Park District of Highland Park — $1,000
Anti-choking Trainer
The agency will purchase between four and eight Anti-Choking Trainers for first-aid training for all employees, including lifeguards, to increase confidence in performing the Heimlich maneuver.
 Park District of Oak Park — $500
Street Crossing Safety Gear
The agency will purchase safety vests and hand-held signs for use when employees and program/camp participants cross busy intersections and to increase driver awareness of the groups when crossing the street.
 Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria — $1,000
Forestry Chainsaw and Equipment Packs
The agency’s forestry department will now have a more ergonomic way — backpacks — for staffers to carry necessary chainsaw equipment and personal protective equipment to trails and parks where a truck cannot go.
 Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC) — $1,500
So Grown Up Lifting Assistance
SRACLC will purchase a portable participant lift system along with full-body slings to reduce the risk of employee injuries as well as the number of people needed for a participant transfer for personal care, swimming and other activities.
 Sterling Park District — $1,500
Safety Soccer Goals
Sterling Park District’s sandbags were insufficient counterweights for its indoor soccer goals, with the risk of tipping over and causing injury. The agency will purchase a product that attaches to the goals as a counterweight and allows staff to roll the goals to various indoor locations.
 Vernon Hills Park District — $750
Portable Roll Up Barrier Fencing
This portable roll up barrier is a fast, easy way to set up a temporary barrier fence for safety or warning.
 Vernon Hills Park District — $1,000
Portable Snow Fence Roller
The portable fence roller is a more ergonomic way to roll up a snow fence after special events or construction projects.
 Waukegan Park District — $1,000
Drinking Fountain Covers
These easy-to-install covers clearly indicate the water fountains are out of service, so building supervisors can respond promptly to a changing water situation.
 Waukegan Park District — $500
Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus PPE
Purchasing bell covers, filters, magnetic door screens and musicians/singers’ masks helped the agency provide a safer environment for the orchestra and chorus to practice and perform.
 Wheaton Park District — $1,000
Weed Whip Safety
The Ballard Darwin grips for the weed whips the agency already owns reduce employee fatigue, back and neck strain.
 Wilmette Park District — $500
Grass Is Always Greener
The agency has reinvented how it stores and organizes blades for mowers; it now tapes and labels them for easy reference and corrals them in bolted-together PVC piping segments to prevent them from falling and injuring workers.
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