Easton Given MIIA Risk Management Award for Coronavirus Response

EASTON, MA — The Town of Easton has been presented with a Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) Risk Management Award for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said a press release from the Easton Fire Department.

MIAA, Easton's insurance provider, chose the town for the award based on its approach to community outreach and employee safety training. It was presented at MIIA's annual business meeting at the Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Conference, held virtually on Jan. 22.

“From the outset we recognized that this would be a time of great volatility and uncertainty for municipal operations and service delivery to our community, and so we made sure to prioritize direct communication not only across the town government but directly with our residents and businesses who have been so hard hit by this crisis,” said Town Administrator Connor Read.

“I can’t thank the Town’s staff and elected leadership enough for their team effort, and I thank the public for their continued resilience and grace during this dark time, which inspires their local leadership to do the best we can to serve them every day," he continued.

Th Risk Management team at MIAA recognized town leaders for working together at the beginning of the pandemic to stay in touch with residents while staying socially distanced, launching a COVID-19 website, phone line, and email to answer questions, publishing community-level case data as an informational tool, and providing training and safety protocols for essential employees and first responders.

“Our personnel have been here from the get go, and they will be here until we bring this to an end,” said Chief Kevin Partridge. “There is no charge I take more seriously than protecting our first responders with the proper training, protocols and equipment so that they can protect the community and help us all stay healthy, and I am proud that our work in this important area has been recognized as we keep up the fight against COVID-19.”