The Knox County Fleet Service Center earned its second Blue Seal of Service Recognition from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence for 2011-2012.  The ASE Blue Seal is awarded to private businesses and public sector fleet maintenance departments that meet certain standards and qualifications.

 “The Knox County Fleet Service Department staff does a great job of keeping county vehicles running well,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said.  “By maintaining county vehicles efficiently, we’re able to save taxpayer money.  The fleet Service Department works hard to keep maintenance costs low, while also ensuring that our vehicles continue to provide great service to our citizens.”

Interim Senior Director of Engineering and Public Works Dwight Van de Vate believes the Knox County Fleet Service Department makes a difference in the community.

“I’m excited for those employees and very proud of them,” Van de Vate said.  “The ASE Blue Seal Award tells everyone that these are people who work hard, care about what they do and take pride in public service.”

The Knox County Fleet Maintenance facility maintains  many vehicles and pieces of equipment, ranging from lawn mowers to dump trucks, from many different Knox County departments, and is able to keep 97 percent of the entire fleet operating and ready for use at all times.   In most cases, the Knox County Fleet Service Center is able to have work completed within 24 hours of a vehicle or piece of equipment arriving for maintenance or repair.

The ASE Blue Seal certification standards and qualifications are:  75 percent of technicians must be ASE-certified in performing diagnosis and repairs, there is at least one ASE Master Technician in sedan and light truck repair and there should be at least one ASE Master Technician in heavy-duty truck repair.