On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019, the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) put its Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan to the test. And, it did so with the help of Tennessee-based BOLDplanning, which has assisted the organization with its emergency preparedness efforts since 2014. The days’ activities, led by company representative, Matt Eyer, PMP, CHS-V, CBCP, included a tabletop exercise based upon a winter/ice storm scenario (a very real possibility in the State of New York). There were over 20 people representing various departments from NYSIF’s Rochester and Buffalo offices in attendance.
The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), a self-supporting insurance carrier that competes with private insurers in the workers’ compensation and disability markets, was established in 1914 as part of the original enactment of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law. NYSIF’s mission is to guarantee the availability of workers’ compensation insurance at the lowest possible cost to New York employers and to provide timely, appropriate indemnity and medical payments to injured workers, while maintaining a solvent fund. Since inception, NYSIF has fulfilled the dual roles for which it was created: to compete with other carriers to ensure a fair marketplace, and to be a guaranteed source of coverage for employers who cannot secure coverage elsewhere.
“Last week’s COOP exercise was well attended and very well received,” said Eyer. “NYSIF is clearly committed to continuity, and is doing everything possible to ensure the organization’s ability to provide vital services to the community, no matter the circumstances.”