Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility Drive City Fleet
The City of Fort Wayne's Fleet Department made the 100 Best Fleets and Best Green Fleets lists to be published in Government Fleet magazine. More noteworthy, Fort Wayne's Fleet is in the only one in the country to make the top 10 on both lists. Fort Wayne finished 6th and 4th respectively.
“It's the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same year. It's difficult to do and a remarkable feat that Fort Wayne is able to manage both priorities and make the 100 Best Fleets and the Best Green Fleets list at the same time. Not only that, but Fort Wayne was in the top 10 at the same time. That just doesn't happen,” said 100 Best Fleets author, Tom Johnson
Fort Wayne's Fleet also received a third national honor by making Green Fleet Magazine's Top 100 Alt-Fuel Fleets. The award goes to both commercial and public sector fleets that are increasing the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Fort Wayne is 80th on the Alt-Fuel list competing against private sector companies like UPS, Fed Ex, Pepsi, and State Farm.
“These awards recognize the City of Fort Wayne's Fleet Department is a leader in management practices and green initiatives for government vehicles,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “The department has implemented innovative ideas that save money year after year for Fort Wayne taxpayers while earning a national reputation as a model for fleet management.”
“The awards let us know where we stack up with the rest of the country but they also let us know where we can still improve. We think we can do even better and we'll continue to strive for efficiency and to become the community leader in environmental issues concerning fleet operations,” said Larry Campbell, Fleet Operations Manager.
Criteria for the 100 Best Fleets Award, includes the use of technology, performance, collaboration, service turnaround time and accountability. The Best Green Fleets award honors government fleet operators dealing with the daily challenges facing government fleet managers. It recognizes government fleets in green fleet planning and methodology, things like fleet make-ups that include hybrids, electric, propane and bio fuel vehicles, as well as the disposal and treatment of oil and chemicals.
“More than 700 fleets vie for the honor of being in the top 100. Fort Wayne's placing near the top in both categories is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of our staff, Mayor Henry and our city council, which allows us to explore new and better alternatives,” said Bob Kennedy, Director of Public Works.
The efforts of the fleet operations are credited for saving the City money too. Alternative fuels and new technologies have cut fuel expenses and allowed the City to keep those expenses flat as it grew geographically by more than 35%. Initiatives such as the anti idling program where trucks shut off after ten minutes, hybrid and electric vehicles, and other day to day operation changes are making a difference in emissions.
“When you look at the medical and environmental challenges of today it seems clear that many of them were created by humans, allowing things like emissions to creep into our air or oil to seep into our streams. The biggest thing I think of is future generations and that should drive all of us to explore better options,” said Campbell.
First Vehicle Services operates the fleet maintenance services and will continue exploring new options for using alternative fuels in the coming years.
The 100 Best Fleets and Best Green Fleets will be itemized in the November/December issue of Government Fleet magazine.