Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Public Safety Divisions Share Resources, Saves Taxpayer Dollars
JEFFERSON CITY–The Department of Public Safety continues fulfilling Gov. Matt Blunt’s direction to improve efficiency in their organization, operation and expenditures.
Col. Rad Talburt, commissioner of the Water Patrol, and Randy Cole, state fire marshal, who already share administrative space, implemented cost-saving measures between their two divisions.
"I commend the innovative efforts of the Department of Public Safety to keep rising costs down without decreasing the level of service Missourians expect and deserve," Blunt said.
Together the agencies estimate they will save $18,000 in fuel alone this year. The cost-saving is possible because the Water Patrol owns bulk refueling stations around the state. This year, the Water Patrol added more stations and has allowed, Fire Safety to also fuel up at the locations. Bought in bulk, the fuel costs an average of 22 to 25 cents less per gallon than fueling up at a commercial gas station.
The Water Patrol and Fire Safety also entered into a joint contract for building cleaning services saving approximately $300 per year. Previously, the two divisions had separate cleaning contracts even though they share the same office space.
Within its own division, Fire Safety made a change that saves both time and money. Fire inspectors conduct annual fire safety inspections in locations licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) as daycare providers. DHSS was asked to provide Fire Safety with a comprehensive list of daycare providers by region along with inspection renewal dates. Now inspectors have an avenue to readily identify upcoming inspections so that when they are in specific regions those inspections can be conducted at that time allowing the inspector to better manage their time and travel.
Other cost-savings are accounted for because of sharing between the divisions within the Department of Public Safety. For example, Missouri Capitol Police, the Water Patrol and the Highway Patrol often exchange inter-agency training with each other at no cost. This allows what would normally cost thousands of dollars to be traded for some other service of equal value. Also, the Division of Fire Safety has begun utilizing the accommodations of the Missouri National Guard when necessary to bring in field staff for training or meetings. At just $17 per person, the accommodations are three times less expensive than purchasing hotel rooms.
"I cannot stress enough the fact that Public Safety is one entity," said Director of Public Safety Mark James. "We are not separate divisions operating for our own good, rather we are one department comprised of public safety divisions working together to ensure a secure state. The inter-departmental sharing of resources should be a norm, not a rare commodity."
For more information on the cost-saving measures taken by the Department of Public Safety contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.
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