October 2025 Risk Journal

In this issue, we continue our property risk management series with a guest article by a member county emergency manager. It covers the crisis response and risk aftermath of the March 2025 ice storm that caused massive damage and disruption across 12 counties in Michigan. It also provides an overview of the state’s emergency management framework and guidance on how to prepare for the inevitable:

“Preparedness does not guarantee that we can avoid disasters. But it can promote faster recovery, reduce losses, and—most importantly—help protect life. For Michigan communities,  the time to act is now: plan, prepare, and mitigate before the next storm, wildfire, or other disaster threatens our residents.”

Plus: highlights from the training sessions at the August 2025 Annual Meeting. Four dynamic speakers — Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, Robin Shear, Jeff Kortes, and Dr. Shawne Duperon — each offered a unique perspective on how human connection drives joy, engagement, and resilience.