Presentation: Risk Assessment and Fire Exposure
This presentation will cover risk assessment by coupling traditional assessment methods with human factors. Since an accident is an unplanned or unintentional event, we need to assess the likelihood of it occurring. Once we understand this, we can address each potential adverse outcome with appropriate resources. We certainly will not invest as much to the prevention of a paper cut as we would to the prevention of an amputation, for example. Yet if the probability and expected frequency of a paper cut is very high and the environment is not clean, there is a greater potential for a staph infection, which in some cases has proven fatal. According to the The Telegraph 12-23-2008, “Man killed by flesh-eating disease after getting small cut on arm”. (1) One person might rush to cleanse and bandage the wound and another might ignore it. The individual behavior certainly affects the outcome. We need to not only understand the probability of an accident but the risk appetite or tolerance of the individual, the culture of risk of the organization and the risk awareness.
PRESENTER: Victor J. Sordillo, P.E. (Senior Vice President – Sompo International)
Mr. Sordillo has over 35 years of experience providing risk engineering services and has served on the Town Council and as Mayor of Warren Township NJ for 17 years. He has held senior global leadership positions at two major international insurance organizations, as well as experience with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is currently a senior vice president leading the loss control operation for Sompo International.
Mr. Sordillo is a Tufts University graduate where he studied structural engineering. He is a registered professional civil as well as a fire protection engineer. In addition, he is a Certified Safety Professional and has a master’s in business administration.
Mr. Sordillo has been a guest speaker on the topic of risk analysis at many different venues including AICPA CFO’s annual meeting in 2017 and the ASSE seminar program. His topics cover innovative approaches in safety and security. Recent publications included the cover story, “What are the Odds” for Risk Management Insights and “Supply Chain Risks” for QBE.
He has held board level positions on charitable organizations such as United Way and the Red Cross, and is currently on the advisory board of the fire science program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, on the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Foundation and a trustee of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program.
