JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – The City of Jacksonville Fleet Maintenance division, part of the Finance Department, was recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for meeting all requirements to become ASE Blue Seal Certified.

This achievement was accomplished with the continuous support of the Mayor, City Council, city manager, and finance director. These individuals made the necessary resources available to fleet maintenance to ensure technicians were able to get the best and most up-to-date technical training.

This technical training allows the technicians to repair and maintain even the most complicated of city equipment. The City has become only the sixth government/civil service fleet facility and only the third City in the state of North Carolina to achieve the ASE Blue Seal certification.

The Fleet Maintenance division consists of five technicians, one shop supervisor, one parts/inventory clerk, one administrative assistant and the fleet maintenance supervisor. During the last three years, fleet maintenance has gone from only two certifications to 34, including one automotive advanced engine and three master certifications.

The technicians support 416 pieces of equipment in 24 separate divisions and the equipment includes everything from ground maintenance equipment, police vehicle to refuse trucks, and everything in between.

Fleet maintenance has maintained a 97.5-percent availability rate during the first 11 months of FY-2008. This availability rate is directly related to the technical knowledge and proficiency of the technicians that work for the fleet maintenance.