News
Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department Earns International Accreditation
September 11, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT CINDY HERMAN, (702) 267-2051
Henderson, Nev. – The city of Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department is the first jurisdiction to achieve an unconditional three-year accreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS), a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that has developed comprehensive criteria to evaluate building departments, both nationally and internationally.
"This is a great honor for our city and a real credit to the men and women of our Building and Fire Safety Department," said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson. "National accreditation is a difficult and arduous process, so it’s really an achievement to be recognized like this. I believe this is yet another way we’re demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical, legal and technical standards as well as unmatched levels of customer service for all our residents."
IAS was founded in 1975 for accreditation of private testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, and fabricators and is recognized worldwide. Last year IAS introduced an accreditation program for governmental building departments that operate under strict professional standards.
The city of Henderson is the second jurisdiction in the United States to be accredited by IAS. The city of Las Vegas received accreditation in May. Currently, building departments in 23 jurisdictions nationwide have applied for IAS accreditation.
"Accreditations, such as this one earned by the Building and Fire Safety Department, are a direct reflection of the high level of professionalism and technical competence of the staff serving the city of Henderson," said City Manager Phil Speight. "We now have four departments with independent, third-party verification of the quality service provided to our community."
In order to obtain accreditation, the Building and Fire Safety Department was first required to submit approximately 4,500 pages of supporting documentation detailing department operating procedures, policies, department budget and staffing. An IAS evaluator then conducted a two-day pre-evaluation and determined the department was ready for a complete assessment. An accreditation review team, consisting of five independent IAS evaluators, carried out the comprehensive on-site evaluation during a five-day period. The evaluation included an extensive review of Building and Fire Safety Department operations, interviews with elected officials and department customers, a "secret shopper" exercise to gauge the level of customer service provided by the department, and observation of plan check and field inspection services rendered by department personnel.
Building and Fire Safety Director Michael Bouse said, "The accreditation process took place over an eight-month time frame and addressed every aspect of our operations. This accomplishment is certainly shared with our customers, through the enhancements made to a few of our processes during this endeavor and with the validation by IAS of the level of service provided by the department." Bouse noted that other city departments were involved in the IAS accreditation process, making it "truly a team effort."
The department demonstrated compliance with all the IAS criteria, which is available at http://www.iasonline.org/PDF/AC/ac251.pdf and includes:
- Qualifications, licensure, certification and training of the building official, plan checkers, permit technicians, and inspectors
- Adoption of current state-of-the art codes
- Consensus service goals for timely plan check and inspection services
- Comprehensive plan review and inspection services
- Quality verification programs for permitting, plan review and inspection services
- Appropriate staffing and funding levels
- Customer service satisfaction rating
- Establishment of ethical standards
IAS President Chuck Ramani presented the Certificate of Accreditation at the September 5 Henderson City Council meeting. Ramani commended the employees of the Building and Fire Safety Department for their professionalism and commitment to the community, and he noted the accreditation should bring pride to the city as well as the state of Nevada for the accomplishment.
Reading from the accreditation report, Mr. Ramani said, "Observing the working atmosphere within the Building and Fire Safety Department itself, it appears that the department has been successful in building a well-trained team of individuals who respect and support one another, have a strong sense of pride in their department and its level of services, and exhibit a genuine commitment to high-quality, friendly public/customer service. These qualities are both recognized and commented on throughout city administration. The Mayor, elected officials, and the City Manager’s Office appear knowledgeable with regard to Building and Fire Safety goals and services, and share a sense of pride in their department’s accomplishments in serving the community."
Last year, more than 22,000 building and fire permits were issued by the Henderson Building and Fire Safety Department, representing a combined valuation in excess of $1 billion. In addition, more than 350,000 inspections were completed. The city of Henderson has also earned accreditation for the Police, Fire, and Parks and Recreation Departments.
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