Waupun Fire Inspector Receives State Award

Waupun, Wis. – During the annual Wisconsin State Fire Inspector Association (WSFIA) Conference held last week, Waupun Fire Department Fire Inspector Mike Beer received the WI State Fire Inspector of the Year award.  Mike began conducting inspections for the City of Waupun in November of 1997 when he was a paid-on-call volunteer firefighter and moved into a full-time Inspector’s role in March of 2008.  Mike has worked diligently at establishing a relationship with local businesses which sets clear expectations for fire code adherence and safety.

Mike was recognized for his work in transitioning the Waupun Fire Department from a paper inspection format to an electronic format.  This transition required a comprehensive review of all business information and days of data entry.  This change has resulted in significant improvements relating to follow-up inspections and tracking violations through to completion.  Mike procured and implemented a program known as The Compliance Engine which allows the Fire Inspector to “track and drive code compliance, reduce false alarm activity, and provide safer communities through third party inspection reporting and maintenance.”  This program has significantly reduced instances where life-safety systems are out of compliance with established State codes and NFPA standards.  Mike has worked very closely with the administration and teachers within the local school district to help drive code adherence and fire safety at all five schools.  Mike has also successfully written for a number of grants that have facilitated the purchase of over 120 smoke alarms and 200 batteries to be handed out to residents within the City.

In addition to his work in Waupun, Mike has served as the WSFIA Area 6 Chairman since September of 2010.  In this role, Mike serves as a representative for Fire Departments in Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington counties and works to coordinate quarterly training for the Fire Inspectors within Area 6.  

The mission of the WSFIA is “to provide the people of Wisconsin we serve with effective life safety strategies through comprehensive inspection, public education, code management, and fire investigation training and awareness.  We also strive through diligent practice and enforcement to keep all persons, including members of the fire service safe.”  

In the photo from left to right are Mike Beer and Waupun Fire Chief B.J. DeMaa.