Staff Spotlight: BBID Team Members Recognized with Training Certification, Safety Award (VIDEO)

Byron, CA (March 20, 2018) – Three members of the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) team were recognized this week for completing cutting-edge safety and professional development training.

Staff members Antonio Narez, Tony Papini, and Joe Resendes completed the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) Operations Specialty Program. They each attended 30 required classes to earn the certification. It is the first time that BBID staff members received completed an ACWA JPIA professional development program.

BBID staff Tony Papini (left), Antonio Narez, and Joe Resendes pose with GM Rick Gilmore.

BBID GM Rick Gilmore announced the recognition in an impromptu ceremony at District headquarters, celebrating the above-and-beyond dedication of our staff members.

Watch the video below!

Antonio, Tony, and Joe were also honored with ACWA JPIA’s H.R. LaBounty Safety Award for Spring 2018, commemorating their outstanding work on BBID’s Furtado Drain project, pictured below.

Local Irrigation Districts Attend BBID-Hosted Training Event

Byron, CA (October 31, 2017) – On Tuesday morning, staff from area irrigation districts received cutting-edge safety and professional development training at Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID).

A representative from the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA/JPIA) – which provides insurance coverage and a suite of related services to its member agencies – delivered a full day’s worth of training.


Staff members from BBID were joined by West Side Irrigation District (WSID) and Banta Carbona Irrigation District (BCID). Topics included trenching and excavation, field ergonomics, and respiratory protection. The training session, led by ACWA/JPIA’s Scott Wood, was focused around risk management and professional development, featuring multiple exercises and open dialogue.

“BBID consistently seeks opportunities to assist our employees, as well as staff from nearby agencies, with the latest and greatest in risk management training and professional development,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “We want to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our crews in the field. The tools and resources provided by ACWA/JPIA are an important part of that.”

Recently, ACWA/JPIA and multiple local agencies attended BBID’s first-ever Health, Wellness & Safety Day.