Schaumburg Public Works Receives APWA Accreditation
The Village of Schaumburg's Engineering & Public Works Department announced it has been recently awarded a fourth consecutive American Public Works Association (APWA) Re-Accreditation.
The APWA Accreditation program recognizes governmental agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry. Schaumburg is one of the first accredited agencies in North America to receive accreditation and the first in the State of Illinois, followed by Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Libertyville, Naperville and Skokie. The award also represents the most times an agency has been re-accredited.
"Schaumburg's Engineering & Public Works team is highly dedicated to our mission of providing essential and vital services that affect the daily lives of everyone who lives here," Engineering & Public Works Director David Lawry said. "This recognition is a testament to the quality services that our employees perform every day."
On a daily basis, accredited agencies meet or exceed standards of performance in areas such as road and bridge repair and maintenance, engineering and construction services, building and grounds maintenance, utility coordination and vehicle maintenance. Schaumburg's accreditation indicates it is maintaining accreditation documentation and practices and that village staff is dedicated to continuous improvement and in-depth self-assessment of department policies, procedures and practices.
After a thorough evaluation of operations during an October 2014 visit, Schaumburg was found 100 percent compliant with the APWA accreditation program. As part of the review process, the department's Emergency Procedures and Operations Training was identified as a "model" practice, which represents something innovative and extraordinary when compared with other public works operations.
"This recognition of Schaumburg's Engineering & Public Works Department further exemplifies the village's commitment to providing high-quality, professional services to our residents," Village President Al Larson said. "I extend my congratulations to everyone in the department who go above and beyond to perform their jobs so that Schaumburg remains a model community."
The Engineering & Public Works Department's mission and primary function is to provide the high-quality, cost-effective municipal services to its customers and successfully manage village-owned infrastructure, facilities and equipment. Operating function responsibilities are assigned to three groups including Field Services, such as Landscape Division, Streets & Signs Division, Electrical/Customer Service Division; Utility Services, such as Storm Sewer Division, Sanitary Sewer Division, and Water Division; as well as Support Services, such as Building Maintenance Division and Fleet Services Division.
Key services include preparing detailed plans and specifications for public improvements, infrastructure and rehabilitation projects. The department oversees the construction of streets, street lights, sidewalks, bike paths, sewers, water mains, grading and parking lots. Snow removal and landscape maintenance is also a significant responsibility of the department.
For more information about APWA Accreditation, visit www.apwa.net/credentialing/accreditation or contact APWA Director of Accreditation, Ann Daniels at adaniels@apwa.net.
About The Village of Schaumburg
Schaumburg is the largest center of economic development in the State of Illinois, outside the City of Chicago, but it is also very much a community of neighbors and neighborhoods. Quality of life is important to us and we are constantly working to enhance it. Visit www.villageofschaumburg.com for more information.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America.
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