OMAG All Access

Latest Episodes:

Episode 93 - When the Sewer Backs Up Responding to Sanitary Sewer Overflows Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

When a sanitary sewer overflow happens, the actions taken in the first few hours matter. A quick, consistent response can help limit property damage, preserve important evidence and make the claims process easier to navigate.

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host William Sheppard, OMAG Director of Risk Management, is joined by Associate General Counsel Sean McKelvey, Director of Claims David Dalton and Risk Management Specialist Hunter Askew to discuss sanitary sewer overflow response from the legal, claims and risk management perspectives.

The conversation covers what utility personnel should do when an overflow is reported, what crews need to document, the importance of CCTV inspections and how to communicate with affected residents without making assumptions or prematurely admitting liability.

The group also discusses the importance of preventative maintenance, notifying OMAG as quickly as possible and having a formal response plan in place before an incident occurs.

In this episode:

First steps after receiving a sanitary sewer overflow report
Documentation, photographs, video and CCTV inspections
Common response mistakes that can create problems later
What field personnel should and shouldn’t say to residents
Communication and empathy during a difficult situation
When to notify OMAG of an overflow or potential claim
How planning and preventative maintenance can help reduce risk

The takeaway is simple: have a plan, follow it every time and think before you speak.

Plan. Respond. Recover. Preparing Municipalities for Disaster Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

When disaster strikes, the decisions made in the first hours can have a major impact on the extent of the damage and the recovery process.

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host William Shepherd, OMAG Director of Risk Management, sits down with Jay Baker and Ryan Allen of ServiceMaster to discuss disaster response and restoration for Oklahoma cities and towns.

From water and fire damage to tornadoes, flooding and mold, the conversation covers what happens after a loss, why a quick response matters and what municipalities can do before disaster strikes. Jay and Ryan also share lessons from decades of restoration experience, common mistakes that can lead to additional damage and what municipalities should consider when choosing a restoration partner.

In this episode:

Why restoration professionals should be contacted as quickly as possible after a loss
How delayed response can lead to secondary damage
Steps municipalities can take before a disaster occurs
What city staff can safely do while waiting for help to arrive
Common mistakes during the restoration process
What to look for when selecting a restoration partner
Lessons learned from major floods, tornadoes and other challenging losses

Preparation can make all the difference when the unexpected happens. Listen in for practical information that can help your municipality build a stronger disaster response plan.

Building Public Trust Through Better Communication (ft. Matt LaFee) Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host William Shepherd, OMAG's Director of Risk Management, sits down with Matt LaFee, City Manager for the City of Walters, to discuss how small municipalities can use social media and artificial intelligence to strengthen communication, build public trust, and showcase the work happening behind the scenes.

Matt shares how Walters has transformed its communication strategy by highlighting infrastructure projects, grant-funded improvements, employee recognition, and community successes in ways that residents can easily understand. From documenting splash pad construction and sewer equipment purchases to explaining complex funding in plain language, he offers practical ideas any municipality can implement.

The conversation also explores how AI is helping small communities save time, create engaging content, and improve transparency without requiring a dedicated communications team.

Whether you're a city manager, clerk, public works director, or municipal leader looking to better connect with your community, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can start using today.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why every municipality needs to tell its own story
How social media builds transparency and public trust
Ways to explain grants and infrastructure projects in plain language
Practical uses for AI in municipal communications
Tips for creating engaging content with limited staff and resources
How consistent communication leads to stronger community engagement

Listen now and discover how even the smallest communities can create a big impact through better communication.

Water Loss Audits (ft. Brandon Bowman) Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Water loss is more than a utility challenge - it can have a direct impact on budgets, infrastructure planning, and the cost of service for residents. In this episode of OMAG All Access, host William Shepherd sits down with Brandon Bowman, State Programs Director for the Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA), to discuss how water loss audits help municipalities and rural water systems identify hidden leaks, improve meter accuracy, and recover lost revenue.

Brandon explains the difference between real loss and apparent loss, shares statewide data on the financial impact of water loss, and highlights how ORWA’s no-cost technical assistance program is helping Oklahoma utilities save water, strengthen operations, and better serve their communities.

Whether you're a city manager, utility director, public works professional, or elected official, this episode offers practical insights into protecting one of your community’s most valuable resources.

Listen now to learn how water loss audits can help your utility improve efficiency, reduce costs, and build a more sustainable future.

For more information, visit OMAG.org or ORWA.org.

Understanding OWRB Loan Forgiveness for FY2027 (ft. Ariel LaMontagne & Brian Green) May 14, 2026

Show notes

What does Oklahoma’s FY2027 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan forgiveness program mean for your municipality?

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host William Shepherd is joined by Ariel LaMontagne and Brian Green from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to simplify the upcoming loan forgiveness cycle and explain what cities, towns, public works authorities, and eligible districts need to know before applying.

The discussion covers eligibility requirements, project types, affordability tiers, timelines, and recent program changes, including the new 75/25 funding structure and the impact of expiring Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

Whether your community is planning wastewater improvements, line replacements, stormwater projects, or other infrastructure upgrades, this episode provides practical insight to help municipal leaders prepare for the funding process.

Learn more and access additional resources at OMAG.org.

Special Event Coverage - What Municipalities Need to Know (ft. Jeff Bryant) Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

As Oklahoma communities gear up for a busy season of festivals, parades, and local gatherings, understanding special event coverage is more important than ever.

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host Chris Webb, Director of Underwriting, is joined by Jeff Bryant, Associate General Counsel and Director of Legal Services, to unpack the complexities of event-related liability. Together, they explore the differences between city-sponsored events and third-party events held on municipal property, outline insurance requirements, and share practical steps to reduce risk.

From vendor considerations to coverage timelines, this conversation offers clear, actionable guidance designed to help municipalities protect their people, property, and public trust.

As a member-owned organization dedicated to protecting public interest, OMAG is here to help you navigate these decisions with confidence—because when one community is prepared, we all benefit.

Learn more by visiting www.omag.org

Poolside Replay: Policies, Training, Trust — What’s Shaping Liability Now (ft. Jack Ryan) Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

OMAG is proud to share this replay of PoolSide, a podcast produced in partnership with Bechamps & Associates and GEM (Government Entities Mutual.)

In this episode, host Michelle Bechamps of Bechamps & Associates sits down with Jack Ryan, attorney and co director of the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute, to examine the evolving landscape of law enforcement liability and leadership.

Together, they discuss:

Trends driving higher claim frequency and larger verdicts
Pursuit related liability and policy considerations
Wrongful conviction risks and the importance of documentation and evidence handling
The growing role of training, supervision, and legal updates
Practical strategies to rebuild public trust and strengthen agencies from within

For Oklahoma municipalities, these insights reinforce an important truth. Proactive leadership, strong policy, and consistent training are essential to reducing preventable exposure and protecting the communities we serve.

As a member owned risk pool dedicated to protecting public interest, OMAG believes we are strongest when we learn and grow together. When one community strengthens its practices, the entire pool benefits.

Listen, share with a colleague, and visit OMAG.org to explore additional resources and training opportunities designed to equip and empower your team.

What Supervisors Say - and Don't say - Matters (ft. Monica Coleman) Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of OMAG All Access, host Lori Mueller is joined by Monica Coleman, OMAG General Counsel and Personnel Services Director, to examine the recent Tenth Circuit case Jenny v. L3Harris.

Together, they unpack how supervisors’ actions—and omissions—can expose municipalities to discrimination and retaliation claims. From seemingly small comments to undocumented reorganizations, this case highlights the critical importance of consistency, documentation, and timely intervention.

Learn what municipal leaders can do today to reduce risk and protect both employees and organizations. A downloadable documentation best practices guide is included with this episode.

Episode Resource: Download File

Cybersecurity For Municipalities - Expert Insights From CISA (ft Mark Kirby) Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Cybersecurity threats are growing - and municipalities across Oklahoma are not immune. In this episode of OMAG All Access, host Matt Jacobson sits down with Mark Kirby, CISA’s Cybersecurity Advisor for Oklahoma and Arkansas, to talk about real-world risks facing cities and towns, from phishing scams to ransomware attacks.

Mark shares practical, no-cost resources available through CISA, offers guidance on how to improve cybersecurity with limited budgets, and explains why regular training and layered defenses matter more than ever. If you serve in local government and want to better protect your community’s digital infrastructure, this episode is for you.
Contact informaiton for CISA staff:
Mark Kirby, CISSP, PMP & A|CISO
Supervisor Cybersecurity Advisor (Arkansas & Oklahoma)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Integrated Operations Division / Region 6
Office: 501-519-2680
E-Mail: mark.kirby@cisa.dhs.gov

Calvin Harley
Cybersecurity State Coordinator (Oklahoma)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Integrated Operations Division / Region 6
Office: 405-568-5843
Email: calvin.harley@cisa.dhs.gov

The Gift of Feedback (ft. Lori Mueller) Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 83 of OMAG All Access, Bill Tackett interviews OMAG's Professional Training & Development Analyst, Lori Mueller about the gift of feedback.
If you've ever felt nervous about giving someone feedback, you're not alone. Most people have some anxiety around it and have never been taught how to give feedback effectively. Though feedback is an important element of personal and professional success. In this podcast, learn the value of effective feedback and tools to help you organize your thoughts to provide genuine, honest feedback.
Learn more by visiting www.omag.org

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