LEAN OSWEGO
Continuous Process Improvements from Departments
The new ITSupport phone number rings on all “tech” desks, speeding up support to employees who call that number when compared to calling a specific tech who might not be at their desk.
Planning and Building Services- Created a Conditions of Approval (COA) Matrix to streamline permit sign-offs among all departments – Leslie Hamilton [implementing a LOONI Award idea -ed.]
- Shortened Web Addresses for Community Development Code and LOMaps, tools frequently used by the public – Ellen Davis
- Created a Neighborhood Meeting Flowchart, replacing code text in handouts for applicants – Leslie Hamilton
Library
From Jane Carr - The adult services and reference departments have been busily responding to increased demands for seating within the library – for both tutors and for people coming to the library for quiet reading and reflection. We have been working with Facilities to repurpose and reuse discarded city furniture while we experiment with various configurations. Thus far the response has been very positive.
From Andrea Milano - I think that our Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt is a great example of “Lean Oswego.” Rather than hand out 400+ pieces of paper which are used, written on and then recycled. We make 10 laminated copies. Kids use these with a dry-erase pen, find the images around the Library and then return the laminated copy to the Children’s Desk where it is cleaned and ready to be used again.
Fire
In November the fire department changed its training platform to a new outside vendor, Target solutions, a California based multi-disciplined training program. The program is being used by many local fire departments--including the city of Portland, TVF&R, and Clackamas County Fire District 1--allowing all agencies the ability to share training material.
Different types of material and videos can easily be downloaded for various assignments for employees. The program streamlines required training, allowing engine companies to remain in their respective districts, saving time and fuel while remaining available for emergency calls. It allows users to work at their own pace to get required OSHA mandated hours and has a tracking component for certifications like EMT and Paramedic licenses where each firefighter can track their own status in “real” time. The program also allows administrators the ability to have employees “e-sign” verification that they have seen or acknowledgment of changes in standard operation guides or Operations changes.
Different types of material and videos can easily be downloaded for various assignments for employees. The program streamlines required training, allowing engine companies to remain in their respective districts, saving time and fuel while remaining available for emergency calls. It allows users to work at their own pace to get required OSHA mandated hours and has a tracking component for certifications like EMT and Paramedic licenses where each firefighter can track their own status in “real” time. The program also allows administrators the ability to have employees “e-sign” verification that they have seen or acknowledgment of changes in standard operation guides or Operations changes.
Public Works + Water Treatment Plant
Previously, if a utility worker were to splash a chemical in their eyes while out in the field, then a co-worker would likely rush them to the hospital and while waiting would need to call an office staff member who would need to look through one of a dozen thick binders to find the right chemical by its technical name so as to give this document to the doctor. It may have been prudent to have used an eye-wash kit, but without reading the MSDS sheet one cannot be certain that this is a good or a bad idea.
The new process will allow a water treatment plant operator or a utility worker to click a link on an iPhone, tablet, or laptop and get access to all of our data sheets with a click of a button and if we didn’t have the sheet they could easily search a database of millions of sheets by common words such as “Gorilla Glue.” The cost for this is only $2,700 per year for both departments. Patti Smith is currently leading the effort to set up the virtual binders for Public Works.
Parks & Recreation
The department is in the process of converting the daily close process (accounting for payments for rec classes, etc.) to a completely paperless process.
The new process will allow a water treatment plant operator or a utility worker to click a link on an iPhone, tablet, or laptop and get access to all of our data sheets with a click of a button and if we didn’t have the sheet they could easily search a database of millions of sheets by common words such as “Gorilla Glue.” The cost for this is only $2,700 per year for both departments. Patti Smith is currently leading the effort to set up the virtual binders for Public Works.
Parks & Recreation
The department is in the process of converting the daily close process (accounting for payments for rec classes, etc.) to a completely paperless process.
