the 18 Edition of Governing for Results - Washington State Digital ...

Washington State Patrol
Licensing Vendors and Contractors
The State Fire Marshal’s office issues annual licenses to persons importing, selling,
manufacturing or displaying fireworks. It also issues licenses to those installing,
designing or maintaining fire sprinkler systems. As the number of individuals
requesting these licenses nearly tripled over nine years, the two licensing processes
became increasingly complex and time consuming. In addition, certain crosschecking
steps which ensured payment of some licensing fees had become nearly
impossible to execute.
After receiving a bid to improve the process, a team of Washington State Patrol Fire
Protection Bureau employees decided they could do it themselves. The decision was
made to consolidate and computerize the two programs, and to develop desk
manuals for use by new staff. From the previous staffing of two full-time and two
part-time employees, consolidation has allowed for one full-time employee to move to
new, high-demand duties. In the first year of the program’s new cross-checking
capabilities, 21 contractors who hadn’t paid the $1,500 fee were identified and funds
recovered. Quarterly reconciliation of the licensing program now takes several hours
instead of several days.
Results
! $30,000 in unpaid licensing fees were identified and collected with the new crosscheck
capability.
! One full-time staff position was reassigned to other duties within the bureau.
! The time to issue a fireworks stand license was reduced by 50%.
! New licensing staff will get up to speed more quickly with new desk manuals.
! The $15,000 contractor expense has been avoided.
Team Name: Fire License Consolidation Team
Team Members: Larry Glenn, Humberto Rodriguez, Cathy Nicholson,
Joanne Bracy
CONTACT: Larry Glenn, (360) 705-5770
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