Risk management for county governments is essentially the same as it is for business or industry, even though the risks may be different.  The purpose of risk management can be simply stated:  Planning for the negative consequences of any decision, process or action.  An effective risk management program is based on this simple concept.  A shorthand way of thinking of these negative consequences is to think of them as losses.  Preventing losses should be the concern of everyone in county government, from the highest elected official to every worker earning an hourly wage.