1st Place:
Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA)
Facilitation of a Law Enforcement De-escalation Simulator Training used to reduce the use of force in dangerous arrest and control situations.
The problem:
The Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) is the state’s leading municipal risk financing and risk management services provider for public entities. Member police departments frequently encounter challenging arrest and control situations that can result in officer injuries. While de-escalation training is critical, unfunded state training mandates created gaps in their programs.
The solution:
CIRMA facilitated its Law Enforcement De-escalation Simulator Training Program using VirTra V-100 portable simulators to provide training for patrol officers, command staff, school resource officers, and armed school security personnel. This proactive and cost-effective simulator-based training helps mitigate dangerous incidents that might require increased use of force. Since implementation, the program has significantly improved officer safety, reducing claims costs by 16%.
2nd Place:
Palmetto Hospital Trust
Development of a dedicated de-escalation response team and simulation-based training to mitigate workplace violence incidents.
The problem:
Founded in 1977 by South Carolina healthcare leaders, Palmetto Hospital Trust is a group self-insurance trust that provides cost-effective workers’ compensation coverage to hospitals, continuing care communities, organizations serving individuals with special needs, and other healthcare providers. Healthcare professionals in their emergency departments have faced rising incidents of workplace violence, most often caused by patients and visitors. Beyond physical harm, these incidents have contributed to staff burnout, absenteeism, and turnover.
The solution:
Palmetto Hospital Trust will establish a dedicated de-escalation response team and implement simulation-based training to strengthen healthcare staff skills in workplace violence prevention and crisis intervention. Real-time analytics from virtual reality scenarios will support targeted follow-ups and continuous improvement, shifting responses from reactive to proactive skill-building and hazard mitigation. These initiatives are expected to reduce training time by 30–50% and prevent up to 80 injuries per year.
3rd Place:
Lam Research
Implementation of smart wearable technology designed to monitor posture and movement patterns, detect improper positioning, and provide corrective guidance.
The problem:
Lam Research is a global company that designs and supplies wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry, enabling customers to produce smaller and more powerful chips. Repetitive motions, awkward postures, and manual handling tasks in manufacturing and logistics have contributed to musculoskeletal disorders among employees, negatively affecting productivity and increasing injury rates. Strains and sprains occur most frequently, followed by contusions and bruises.
The solution:
To reduce musculoskeletal disorders and enhance employee well-being, Lam Research will implement smart wearable technology designed to monitor posture and movement patterns, detect improper positioning, and provide corrective guidance. The company will prioritize high-risk roles to maximize the program’s impact. With estimated first-year savings of $1,241,000, the initiative presents substantial potential for long-term, companywide benefits.