MAFMA is an organization of and for state facilities personnel through which best practices in facilities management are shared and solutions to challenges are discussed, recommended, and implemented. MAFMA also promotes the professionalism of the state facility managers through training and idea exchange.
MAFMA has elevated the issue of facilities operations and maintenance to a higher level in state government, thereby encouraging facilities staff to share information and leading to an improvement in the capabilities and morale of facilities personnel. It has generated efficiencies through sharing resources between facilities. Furthermore, it has also led to greater appreciation and understanding at higher levels in government of the challenges of facility management and the need to support adequate maintenance funding.
MAFMA addresses a critical gap in information sharing and technology transfer among state facility managers so they can operate and maintain their buildings more efficiently and cost-effectively. Through MAFMA, facilities managers can find and share creative ways to perform adequate facilities maintenance with a level or reduced budget. By getting facility managers together periodically, ideas for improved operational efficiency are stimulated and broadcast.
MAFMA has several active committees, including a Compliance Committee created in response to agency needs to comment on the impact of proposed regulations and seeking ideas on how to be in code compliance. They established a committee that deals strictly with operations and maintenance issues connected with secure (aka detention) facilities. Other committees include:
- Building Commissioning, CAMIS (Capital Asset Management Information System -- the state's facilities condition assessment database and maintenance management software)
- Education
- Human Resources
- Standards/Funding
- Tool Barn.
The cost savings and efficiencies generated by the program involve the extension of the useful life of state buildings. The immediate benefit is the establishment of a forum for facilities staff to express concerns and to share suggestions and other support. For example, when one correctional facility replaced its controls systems, it offered the older system's parts to other facilities with the same older system, resulting in significant cost savings.
