Enhance Safety with NCLM Grant Opportunities

The League understands the importance of helping local governments manage risks and enhance their operations. That’s why each insurance pool administered by the League offers grant programs designed to support insurance pool members in improving safety, reducing liability and investing in essential risk management practices. These funding opportunities are a valuable resource for municipalities working to strengthen their communities and ensure the safety of their employees and residents.

SAFETY GRANTS
Available to both members of the Property and Casualty Trust and the Workers’ Compensation Trust, Safety Grants are designed to support projects that reduce risk and prevent workplace injuries for city employees. 

Each insurance pool provides $150,000 in available grant funding, with each eligible member able to receive up to $5,000 in matching funds from each pool. In 2024, 126 members, from both insurance pools, accessed Safety Grants.

Safety Grants support a variety of purchases aimed at improving workplace safety across municipal operations. Some eligible items include eye wash stations, ergonomics-focused gear for law enforcement and various lifting tools. Portable multi-gas meters and light towers for work-zone illumination are eligible, with specific requirements for height and light output.

General safety equipment, including cabinets for flammable liquids, spill containment systems and safety tools are also covered. Other eligible purchases include specialized video cameras for sewer pipeline inspections, surveillance systems and other facility upgrades identified by the League’s risk control team.

For certain items like drones and police body cameras, additional approvals and documentation are required. Drones need prior approval from a League risk control consultant, and police body cameras must meet several conditions, such as the department completing the League’s Law Enforcement Risk Review process and having a clear policy for data management.

Morehead City recently received a Safety Grant from the Property and Casualty Trust to purchase modular vehicle barriers. These barriers were specifically acquired to enhance safety during events like the popular Big Rock Fishing Tournament, held annually at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City. With thousands of tourists and residents attending, the barriers are set up to close off roads, creating pedestrian-only zones. The barriers are designed to stop vehicles on impact. They serve as an additional layer of protection, ensuring that if a vehicle loses control and cannot stop, pedestrians will be safeguarded from potential injury. 

“We are very appreciative to the North Carolina League of Municipalities and their grant funding for this safety feature that is provided. It is going to be a vital tool going forward with this community. It is going to help not only the citizen, but it’ll help the public safety and the street department,” said Morehead City Police Department Captain Tim Guthrie in a video that demonstrates the barriers’ functionality. 

SOFT BODY ARMOR GRANTS
Law enforcement agencies within the Workers’ Compensation Trust can apply for Soft Body Armor Grants. This grant covers $250 per protective body armor that is purchased by police departments for their officers. This grant opportunity ensures police departments are equipped with the necessary gear to carry out their duties safely. In 2024, 103 police agencies benefited from this funding, improving their officers’ safety on the job.

“Our grant programs provide a valuable resource for members by helping offset costs. These grants enable agencies to acquire essential equipment that may otherwise be unattainable, ultimately supporting efforts to mitigate risk while protecting their employees and their communities. If you are an eligible member who has not taken advantage of these grants, we encourage you to contact us. We are committed to assisting you in promoting safer workplaces and communities,” said Joseph Graziano, NCLM senior public safety risk management consultant. 

Whether through investing in critical safety equipment, or enhancing law enforcement safety, for municipal staff, the insurance pool grants play a vital role in supporting local governments. 

A WORD OF CAUTION
It’s important for members to be cautious of potential scams or unauthorized marketing campaigns that may falsely claim to work with the League and offer services or products that may not meet the program’s eligibility requirements. To ensure that you’re engaging with legitimate partners and following the correct application process, always verify the authenticity of any vendor or service that claims to be affiliated with the League. Your risk consultant can confirm partnerships, likewise, all League-endorsed partners are listed on our website. Taking this extra step will help safeguard your grant application.

To apply, eligible municipalities simply need to follow the application guidelines which can be found at www.nclm.org/insurance-risk-management/grant-funding-opportunities/.

The League’s risk consultants are always available to guide members through the application process and help them make the most of these funding opportunities.