Best Practices Call Out
At the 2008 NIOA conference in Reno we introduced a “Best Practices” session. This was a well received addition to the conference. We would like to carry it on to Nashville in August 2009.
In these best practice sessions we will highlight four case studies from our members that feature unique and successful ways NIOA members dealt with a particular issue that is relevant for first-responder PIOs. Each case study is 45 minutes in length, with a short Q&A.
If you would like to be considered as a presenter, please send a one-page (maximum) synopsis of your case scenario to me at rpalmer@washingtontwp.org by March 6. The Board will choose a cross-section of cases and four people will be asked to present at Nashville.
Please use the following headings in your synopsis:
Organization name & presenter:
Incident type & date:
Type of organization:
Synopsis/overview of case/event/incident:
Challenges/Issues:
Solution/How you dealt with it:
Outcomes & Results:
Lessons Learned:
It is always a great opportunity to learn from one’s colleagues. On behalf of the entire board, I look forward to your submissions!
Number of Officers Killed Falls Sharply
I thought this would be of interest to many of you. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has just put out a release and newsletter announcing that the number of officers killed in the line of duty dropped by 23% in 2008. In fact, the number who were killed by gunfire, according to the NLEOMF fell to a 50 year low.
However, while this is an improvement, of particular concern to your Secretary here, as I work in the Highway Safety business, is the fact that for the 11th year in a row NLEOMF says that more law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents than from any other single cause. This too is in spite of the fact that deaths related to traffic incidents dropped by 14% compared to 2007.
So as I post this on New Year’s Eve…a very dangerous night on the roads, my 2009 wish for all of you who are first responders is to be especially careful on the roads. Please buckle up, drive defensively, remember to set a good example behind the wheel for the rest of the public, and be ever vigilant when making traffic stops (or responding to roadside crashes or medical emergencies) of other vehicles who may not have the good sense to Move Over and out of the way for you…no matter what your state law says.
And keep the families of those who have fallen in the line of duty over the years in your hearts and prayers. If you want to see the report click on the link below. And have a safe and happy New Year!