Quarterly Board Meeting 11/2/09 - Wisconsin Fire Inspectors ...

WISCONSIN FIRE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
Monday 2, November 2009
The Plaza Hotel & Suites, Wausau, WI
Call to Order at 1601 hours
Roll Call
President Ron Omernick present
1 st Vice President Sue Phillips present
2 nd Vice President Tom Clark present
Exec. Sec. Treasurer Laurie Frey present
Recording Secretary Kevin T. Erdmann present
Past President Tod Doebler present
Parliamentarian Jeff Pollard present
Area 1
Vacant
Area 2 Scott R. Wagner present
Area 3
Vacant
Area 4 John Niederer absent
Area 5 Gordy Jepsen present
Area 6 Tom Wendt present
Area 7 Joe Gabe present
Area 8 Bill Becker absent
Area 9 Dale Garski present
Area 10 Tom Waydick present
Area 11
Vacant
Area 12 Josef Eklund present
Area 13 Dave Krupich present
Area 14
Vacant
Area 15 Arthur Gil de Lamadrid present
Area 16 Dave Neihaus present
Dept. of Commerce Joe Hertel 1730
Guests: Dave Lind, Matt Mertens, Steve Koback, Steve Peavey.
1

Ron Omernick introduced Steve Peavey From the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors
Association. He spoke for about an hour about their association and how they had gone
from not much to a business like association today. It was a lot of food for thought for our
association.
Ron then gave the floor to Steve Koback. He handed out a list of the donations that the
association have given to the Firefighters Memorial. Steve spoke on donations to the
memorial. He then questioned as to why the association had stopped in the last two years.
Tod Doebler stated that the reason the donations were stopped were because we (the
Association) were waiting for an audit statement from the memorial. Laurie Frey questioned
what the donations are used for at the memorial. Sue Phillips spoke on the issue that is are
we the only group donating to the memorial. Ron read the minutes from the February Board
meeting on the issue of the donations. Ron asked Steve if there are checks and balances.
Dave Lind thought that the paperwork given in Eau Claire was not a complete audit. Sue
stated that maybe things were not communicated very well and not enough people were at
the last meeting. Tod spoke on what has taken place from 2007 until the February meeting.
Tom Clark asked if there is a recent audit. Steve made a motion that the association to
reinstate the $500 donation and the $500 for last year. Discussion of an non board member
making a motion. Steve withdrew the motion. Ron Omernick made a motion for $500
donation for last year and this year. Dale Garski seconded. Discussion, Joe Gabe
questioned that should the monies go for the scholarship fund. Dave Lind questioned what
the revenues are and that registrations are down. Joe Gabe stated that his area had a
discussion on this subject. Laurie stated that registrations are down 25-35 for this year.
Dave Lind stated that the board should focus on what the association needs to do with the
money. Tod questioned on what is the difference for the memorial and burn camp. Sue
asked if we should bring it up to the membership. Tom Clark questioned if there was going
to be a raffle this year. Called for the question, the motion was defeated.
Ron amended the motion that we donate $500 for 2010, Scott Wegner Seconded, Motion
carried.
Matt Mertens spoke on the new web site. The web master has 125 hours in the rebuild
so far. He will still make changes as part of the original $2000. He then estimates that
he will spend apx. 40 hours a year and the host cost is $115 and the domain is $16.95.
Matt went over the web site and explained each area. Matt mentioned that there is
some software that needs to be purchased so that forms can be filled out on the web.
Laurie questioned, can there be a member only section on the web site. Sue asked if
the software purchased could be use by the web masters other clients. Matt will check
on that. The web master is still working on the changes. Ron stated the we paid him

$1000 and that he is looking for the other $1000. Matt stated that the site will be done
under the original $2000. Sue Phillips said that we should stop the project as is and
check with the membership to see what they might want. Ron made a motion that we
pay the second $1000 to the web master, Gordy Jepsen seconded. Tod asked if there
is anything he is working on now. There was some discussion on where to go now. The
motion carried.
Department of Commerce, Joe Hertel stated that there is no one in charge of the
department. He that explained what class at the conference will have CEU credits. Joe
had nothing else to report.
Treasures report, Laurie handed out copies of the audit. The audit is for 2008. She
stated that the books were handed over in mid July. Taxes are up to date. At this time
the association is not tax exempt at this time, the paper work was not turned in last year.
Laurie then explained the letter from the auditor.
Account report, checking $2282.30, savings $57,695.65. $20,000 to $25,000 will be
transferred to checking to pay bills for the conference.
Conference update, the conference is ready to go. Assignments will be given out and
posted. Ron addressed opening ceremonies.
Committee reports:
Tank classes will take place tomorrow.
Fire Service Joint Advisory, Jeff Pollard stated that the by-laws were changed and he
that spoke on some of the things that took place in the meeting.
Inspector Certification, Dave Lind said that the NFPA is willing to work on this with us
and run some classes in the state. That may help us with getting credentials from the
Department of Commerce.
Fire and EMS Coalition, Tom Clark discussed the last meeting that they had. He spoke
on Firefighter license plates and impersonating a Firefighter/EMT. On the sprinkler front
the coalition is pushing for the IRC. Fireworks legislation, there is a lot of back pedaling.
Citys think they can get money from selling permits. There was some discussion on this.
Dave Lind suggested that the association have a position letter on fireworks. Tom has
two letters thanking the sponsors of the fire safe cigarettes bill and for lighters. There
was discussion on a letter for fireworks. Tom then stated that we need a position
statement on residential sprinklers. He mentioned that there is a redesign of the
EMT/paramedic patch. Paramedic training may have a 1 hour simulation that would

equal 3 hours of ER time.
Site selection, Laurie Frey said that there are 30 to 35 bids at this time. There was
discussion on if we need to change the dates of the conference. Changes will be
brought up at the general session. Tom Clark stated that some of the sponsors have an
issue with the time. Their fiscal year is different and some would have had monies
earlier in the year.
Scholarship, Scott Wegner stated that there were three applicants and three
scholarships were awarded, 2 full and 1 hotel for one night for the new inspector class.
James Hentzell, Lisbon FD
Brian Demrow, Edgerton FD
Kami Warren, Oconomowoc FD
There was discussion on the scholarships and how to promote them.
Change of mission statement. Ron stated that no one had suggested any changes and
it will remain as is.
Dave Lind suggested that the association join the ICC as a member. Scott Wegner
made a motion that the next president look into joining the ICC. Gordy Jepsen
seconded. There was discussion on what other groups we need to join. The motion
passed.
Sue Phillips talked about the web site guidelines. It is not an SOG for the web site it is
aimed at the sponsors. There was discussion on sponsor levels and what they should
receive for them. Direction was given to work on a complete set of guidelines for the
web site.
Laurie Frey questioned Ron Omernick on the scholarship the he has proposed. Would
different rules apply and if so Ron needs to run it. Ron stated that it will be a donation
and all he asks is for a letter of thanks from the recipient and where it was used. Laurie
than went on to state that she felt and some others on the public education side were not
recognized in the last presidents letter in the fire journal. She stated that the pub. ed.
People might be looking to break away from the association. Ron stated that there was
no intent to leave them out. He asked that in the future all assist with the news letter.
SOG and By-laws, Jeff Pollard addressed the code of conduct and should it be a stand
alone document. Tod Doebler made a motion to accept the document as written and
posted on the web site in article 115 as code of ethics. Ron seconded. There was some
discussion. Dave Lind suggested that the members be made aware of the changes and
where to find them. Motion carried.

Jeff handed out a draft on electronic voting for the board. There was discussion on the
need for this. Jeff then handed out the form that will be used for any suggested changes
to the SOG/By-laws and it will be posted on the web site. Sue Phillips made a motion
that this be added as an appendix of the SOGs. Tod seconded. Motion carried.
Tom Clark mentioned that the business meeting agenda order should be changed. Is it
in the correct order
There was discussion on the life time membership. The nominations will be placed with
the awards and the agenda will be revised to reflect the same.
Around the Table:
President Ron Omernick thanked the board for all the hard work this year and he has
enjoyed working with them.
2 nd Vice President Tom Clark talked about the experience he had at the ICC hearings
and how interesting the code process is.
Past President Tod Doebler stated that Comm 14 is now split from the building code and
that should help the process. He also made a suggestion that we support IFMA.
Area 2 Scott Wegner there will be a meeting at the conference.
Area 6 Tom Wendt Having a meeting on November 11th.
Area 7 Joe Gabe had a meeting last Thursday. There was discussion on a problem in
his area with the IFC vs NFPA 1. This will be forwarded to Joe Hertel.
Area 10 Tom Waydick They are working of a program for residential fire safety.
Area 12 Josef Eklund is working on membership in his area.
Area 13 Dave Krupich next meeting is in February.
Joe Hertel stated the draft for legislation for CO detectors in 1 and 2 family dwellings has
been handed to the department for review. Joe asked for any input for the legislation
and if anyone has anything let him know.
Ron Omernick made a motion for a donation to the UW Marathon County Choir in the
amount of $100 for them being at opening ceremonies. Motion was seconded and
carried.

Meeting adjourned at 2042
Respectfully submitted
Kevin T. Erdmann, Recording Secretary