By Chad Engle, Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
Happy New Year to all our NIRMA member friends! As we close the books on 2025 and look ahead to the opportunities of 2026, it’s the perfect time to give your safety efforts a fresh boost—starting with the Money for Minutes program.
Each year, this program rewards safety committees that stay engaged, stay consistent, and stay committed to reducing risk in their county or agency. In 2025, participating committees could receive part of $7,000 in total to be awarded, including:
- Nine (9) $500 awards drawn from qualifying committees
- One $2,500 Super Award recognizing the committee that demonstrates exceptional dedication to safety and loss prevention—especially through the use of NIRMA’s Best Safety Practices for Members
To qualify, your safety committee simply needs to:
- Meet once each quarter
- Review all incidents and events from the previous quarter
- Identify practical ways to prevent similar events in the future
- Submit your committee minutes with those recommendations
The deadline to submit 2025 meeting minutes is January 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central.
You can email them directly to me at chad@nirma.info.
Get Those 2026 Meetings on the Calendar Now
One of the best ways to ensure all four quarterly meetings happen is to schedule them at the start of the year rather than trying to squeeze them in later. Committees that plan ahead rarely miss meetings—and more importantly, are the ones that make meaningful progress in reducing risk.
While I expect the Money for Minutes program to return in 2026, it is still subject to final budget approval. Even so, please continue to hold and document your meetings so your committee remains eligible the moment the continuation of the program is confirmed.
Dig Into the “Why,” Not Just the “What”
When reviewing incidents, remember:
Our goal isn’t just reporting what happened—that’s already part of the claims process.
Safety committees add value by exploring why the event occurred and what actionable steps can prevent a repeat.
Try to move beyond recommendations like “be more careful” or “be aware of your surroundings.”
These don’t help the next employee doing the same task. Instead, focus on specific, risk-focused guidance such as:
- Adjusting workflows
- Improving equipment use
- Clarifying procedures
- Enhancing communication or signage
- Specific training
- Performance management
- Employee Development/mentoring
Clear, practical insights make a real difference.
A Small Resolution With a Big Impact
As you step into the new year, I encourage every committee to increase its risk management and loss prevention efforts by just 10%. It’s a small, achievable step that can significantly impact your county or agency’s safety performance.
If you’d like help with committee development, meeting planning, or incident analysis, I’m here to assist. Reach out anytime at chad@nirma.info or 1.800.642.6671.
Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting Nebraska’s counties and their employees. Wishing you a safe, successful, and prosperous 2026!
