Service First - Modes

Service First has a spectrum of opportunities. Partnerships and collaborations can range from the more simple end of the spectrum such as agencies sharing one position or a piece of equipment. The spectrum runs increasingly complex such as sharing an administrative officer or other business functions to staff locating in the same building together to issuing joint planning products to complete integration of staffs. The Service First authority is very flexible and allows for many variety of collaborations. The question to ask is what is the need or resource you are trying to meet? What makes sense for your situation?

Collocation: At the simplest level, both agencies have their own separate space within the same building. They may share parking, restrooms, conference rooms or facilities. The benefits of collocation include the savings in rent and building costs, and improved communications.

Co-mingling: When two or more staff units are co-mingled, like functions sit side-by-side. For example, the BLM recreation staff works next to the Forest Service staff performing the same function. The primary benefits of co-mingling are greatly increased communications that come from working within eyesight of each other, opportunities for learning, understanding each other's challenges, and the possibility of some joint operations.

Integration: When staff from two or more agencies integrate operations, the like units work as one. For example, two fleet units work together in the same space and visitor/users cannot differentiate who works for which agency.

Implementing Service First Slide Show (1.92 MB MS PowerPoint) (1.19 MB PDF)

Service First 101 Webinar, May 15, 2012

Service First Locations