Staff have leaped into spring with presentations, training, and attendance at events throughout Virginia. Read more about the activities of our staff below!
Staunton City Council Retreat
Local Government Specialist Peter Stephenson again teamed up with Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock to facilitate a retreat for members of the Staunton City Council. During the retreat, the group discussed the importance of civility, the city’s vision and values, planning for success, and the report and recommendation of the city’s DEI Commission Final Report.
“Retreats are important because they give city council and staff a chance to connect and reflect on important issues facing our community in a relaxed and informal setting,” said Staunton City Manager Leslie Beauregard. “They are a different way of making forward movement in our important work with some teambuilding on top.”
Albemarle County Service Authority
Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig provided training on trenching to staff with the Albemarle County Service Authority. 38 maintenance and engineering employees attended the training which focused on trench and excavation safety, along with OSHA requirements.
VML/VACo/VAPDC Local Government Legislative Day
Local Government Specialist Peter Stephenson attended the VML/VACo/VAPDC Local Government Legislative Day in Richmond, along with other VRSA members such as City of Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, pictured. Can you spot Peter in this photo? Hint: Look left.
Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA)
Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon has been providing Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training to the supervisory staff of the RBHA. The course allows attendees to build strategies and develop preparedness for potential active shooter events. After training supervisors, Dillon plans to transition to training all staff over the summer.
2024 Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute (VWMLI)
There in spirit! While staff are not in attendance at the third year of the VWMLI, VRSA is there as a sponsor! This year, 25 women from 25 towns, cities, and counties throughout the Commonwealth are attending the institute, gaining leadership skills and strengthening their confidence. To-date, VRSA has provided 11 scholarships for members to attend the VWMLI, including Megan Pittman, director of administration for the Bedford Regional Water Authority, featured here.
City of Waynesboro
Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon and Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock provided Emergency Vehicle Operations and Liability (EVOLve) training in the City of Waynesboro to raise awareness of the criminal and civil implications associated with the operation of emergency vehicles.
Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy (PRCJTA)
Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon presented Below 100 training to the PRCJTA Field Training Officer School. Below 100 training was created to eliminate preventable line-of-duty deaths among police officers by focusing on areas such as wearing vests, wearing seatbelts, watching speed, and more.
Town of Bedford
Local Government Specialist Peter Stephenson facilitated a retreat for the Bedford Town Council and management. During the retreat, the group discussed the town’s strengths, challenges and opportunities, mission and values, priorities, goals, and more.
In the Line of Fire With Gary Dillon
Have you been listening to VRSA Public Safety Specialist and podcast star Gary Dillon? With 21 episodes, the most recent featuring Chief Amanda Behan with the City of Winchester Police Department, Dillon has interviewed former FBI agents, police chiefs, the creator of We Back Blue, and more.
Episodes drop each week and can be found on Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms.
Forklift Safety
Safety Specialist Edward Shelton provided forklift training to City of Salem employees. The safety course was created inside the Salem Civic Center.
Blue Ridge Association of Chiefs of Police (BRACP)
Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon was invited by Town of Bedford Police Chief Ronnie Lewis to attend the BRACP held in Salem, Virginia. At the meeting, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Marcus Anderson provided information about Virginia’s efforts to address the fentanyl crisis.
Virginia Public Risk Management Association (VA PRIMA)
Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock presented at the inaugural “Cold” topic program at the VA PRIMA Winter Cold Topic session in January. Bullock provided information on Behavior-Based Safety, discussing how safe attitudes statistically result in accident prevention. City of Charlottesville Risk Manager Philip Spence, who serves in the secretary/communications role for the organization, coordinated the event which was hosted in the City of Charlottesville.
Training Trifecta
Safety Consultant Christine Gillison presented a “Training Trifecta” training for employees of the Town of Herndon. This program is designed to address an organization’s top three training needs in one eight-hour day. On this day, Gillison provided instruction on electrical hazards, confined space entry, and lockout/tagout.
