Police and Fire Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingWaupun, WI · March 20, 2024
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF WAUPUN
Police & Fire Commission (PFC) Meeting
Waupun Safety Building – 16 E. Main Street, Waupun
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 4:45pm
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting convened at 4:50pm by PFC President.
ROLL CALL
Present: John Bett (PFC Vice President), Bambi Buchholz (PFC Citizen), Tara Rhodes (PFC Citizen/Secretary), Mike
Thurmer (PFC Citizen/President), WPD Chief Jeremy Rasch, WFD Chief BJ DeMaa
Member(s) absent (excused): N/A Teresa Heidemann (PFC Citizen), Bobbi Jo Kunz (Council Member-Ex Officio)
Guests: N/A
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Minutes from the January 18 meeting were presented for approval. Motion to approve minutes as submitted at
4:50pm by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
Minutes from the February 1 meeting were presented for approval. Motion to approve minutes as submitted at
4:51pm by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
Minutes from the February 12 meeting were presented for approval. Motion to approve minutes as submitted at
4:51pm by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
GENERAL DISCUSSION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE
WAUPUN POLICE DEPARTMENT (WPD) AND WAUPUN FIRE DEPARTMENT (WFD)
WPD Update (Chief Rasch)
Staffing:
Deputy chief interview tomorrow with one qualified internal applicant; if selected would need to
backfill position. The interview panel includes Chief J. Rasch and the Ripon police chief and Fond du
Lac Assistant Chief. Because this selection is at the discretion of the Chief of Police, the PFC is not
involved in the hiring process; Chief Rasch will notify the PFC via email with appropriate update(s).
Current process included three candidates with none advancing to PFC interview at this time. A new
process was opened.
Chief Rasch shared newer officers Effert, Roberts, and Cupery are doing well. Roberts and Cupery are
in police recruit school and Effert is in field training.
Departmental Operations:
All staff were invited to provide input on a set of core values for the department. Based on input, 5
Core values identified are: integrity, teamwork, trust, accountability, and professionalism.
A committee has been established to discuss/develop a mission and values for the department.
The department has been contacted by an area high school student interested in providing video
services for the K9 program and recruitment.
K9 Training has been going well and has included some deployments; with a short pause around
vehicle sniffing. Chief Rasch shared the need for a K9 bulletproof vest and plans for online fundraising
efforts coming soon. The K9 account does have funds currently available which are used for
veterinary needs.
Chief Rasch shared an update from the FDL County/Sheriff's Office; the Sheriff’s Office is taking over
dispatch, this was a department which reported to FDL County. Chief Rasch noted WPD and WFD
have board presence (along with other communities/county members) and is not expecting much
change. The process included a review and amendment of the existing agreement and was approved
at the March 19th County Board meeting.
Annual training requirements are underway as well as “putting contest” as a team-building activity.
There is a focus on process efficiency and effectiveness. A shared file program in place with the FDL
County is going well and saving time/resources. A language line (interpreter service) began in
February. A review of Open records requests show an average of 600 per year, some are large
volume requests which are time-intensive; of a system to support process will be considered for next
year’s budget.
Community Engagement:
The senior citizen Academy is completed, this included the WPD, WFD and EMS. The program was
well attended the participants had great questions; graduation ceremony was completed yesterday.
Daily dodge radio station in Beaver Dam has a Community Connection radio program where WPD will
be featured on a monthly basis; the WFD will be featured every-other month.
WPD also participated in or had a presence at Waupun Icefest, CHS Open House, CWCS Community
Service Event (presentation to staff/students), Dodge County Awards Banquet, SSM Open House
(clinic), Waupun Business Alliance (event at Waupun Equipment) and FDL County Law Executive
Awards (Chief Rasch outgoing President).
Calls:
Volume has been down likely due to staff vacancies.
Responses related to the following occurred: internet crimes against children (ICAC), overdose, death
investigation/referral (from May 2023), undercover drug case, stalking, child sexual assault, death
investigation of suicide, home invasion, missing money.
WFD Update (Chief DeMaa)
Staffing:
25 of 30 firefighter positions are filled; 12 of 15 EMR filled. Recent vacancies due mainly to attendance
commitment requirements.
Process started in March/ending in April has yielded one candidate; this is very concerning. Discussion
around general decrease in volunteerism in firefighting but also volunteering in-general.
High school intern will complete the entire year with the WFD. Chief DeMaa noting he has taken
advantage of training opportunities, has participated on calls and is has been advocating for recruitment.
Departmental Operations:
Staffing study (focuses on sustainable Fire, EMR, EMS staffing/structure) presentation is planned in April
for WFD, then City/Township stakeholders. PFC attendance is recommended and Chief DeMaa will send
out invite to members.
Electric Vehicle (EV) training was recently held where 154 attendees from 34 agencies learned about how
to appropriately respond to these situations. Chief DeMaa explained the toxicity of the smoke from EV
fire embeds in the fibers of the firefighters gear and cannot be removed with cleaning. These are longer
burning fires which require a significant more of water, as compared to a gas vehicle fire. Additional
discussion on lithium ion batteries occurred.
Walkthrough tour of the United Coop Facility was recently completed. This structure and services (food
grain and soybean processing/drying) requires a significant level of emergency preparedness planning for
rescues, including confined space and high-angle rescue planning. The Safety representative from the
Coop is very engaged. Discussion around concerns with a significant increase in traffic once the Coop
facility opens occurred; Chief DeMaa anticipating new/increased semi-traffic at approximately 200 per
day.
Community Engagement:
April 8th through April 12th is emergency weather and tornado Awareness Week and the city will
experience 2 drills. The FDL County activates the weapon sirens for City of Waupun, thus City of Waupun
will follow FDL County plan/timeline for these drills.
WFD has received multiple requests from local groups to provide CPR training and have completed one
session to-date.
A group is presenting to the school board the request to provide a ‘pre-prom crash event’ on May 1st.
This would be a simulated event which visually encourages students to make safe choices to avoid
emergency situations.
As noted in WPD update, WFD also participated in the Senior Citizen Academy.
Calls:
High volume of calls in quarter one; with January and February combined having fifty-plus calls.
Approximately 40 to 50% of these calls into the Township are motor vehicle responses, often on Hwy. 151
EMR had approximately forty to fifty calls per month.
Chief DeMaa specifically noted there have been multiple structure fires; including one to an elder care
facility which had a great response by WPD officer. Debrief of this event has resulted in identification of
opportunities for improvement which are being actively worked on.
CONSIDERATION-ACTION
EMS Compliance Captain promotion item planned was tabled.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND GATHERING INVOLVING THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
The next Commission meeting is to-be-determined. The PFC meets quarterly, at minimum.
If necessary, please send any agenda requests to Chief DeMaa or Chief Rasch so appropriate preparation(s) can be
made.
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion at 5:59pm to adjourn meeting made by T. Rhodes, J. Bett second; all in favor, motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Rhodes, Secretary
Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF WAUPUN
Police and Fire Commission Meeting
Waupun Safety Building-16 E. Main Street, Waupun
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 4:45 PM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
1. Approval of minutes from the January 18, 2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting
2. Approval of minutes from the February 1, 2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting
3. Approval of minutes from the February 12, 2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting
GENERAL DISCUSSION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE
WAUPUN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WAUPUN FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONSIDERATION-ACTION
4. Approve promotion of EMS Compliance Captain
FUTURE MEETINGS AND GATHERING INVOLVING THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
ADJOURNMENT
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
MINUTES
POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION (PFC) MEETING
Waupun Safety Building – 16 E. Main Street, Waupun
Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 4:30pm
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting convened at 4:31pm by PFC President in the Waupun Safety Building.
ROLL CALL
Present: John Bett (PFC Vice President), Bambi Buchholz (PFC Citizen), Teresa Heidemann (PFC Citizen), Bobbi Jo
Kunz (Council Member-Ex Officio), Interim Police Chief Jeremy Rasch, Tara Rhodes (PFC Citizen/Secretary), Mike
Thurmer (PFC Citizen/President)
Member(s) absent (excused): N/A
Guests: N/A
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes from the January 4, 2024 were presented for approval. Motion to approve minutes as submitted at
4:32pm by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
CLOSED SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission adjourned into closed session under Section 19.85 (1) (c) of the
WI Statutes to conduct interviews with two (2) qualified applicants for employment for the open Patrol
Officer position.
(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee
over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Motion to go into Closed Session at 4:34pm was made by T. Rhodes, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion
passed.
OPEN SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission reconvened in open session under Section 19.85(2) of the WI Statutes at
6:06pm after motion from J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
Motion at 6:06pm to extend conditional offer to candidate E. Effert and place candidate L. Nordskog on eligibility
list was made by T. Rhodes, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND GATHERING INVOLVING THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
City of Waupun Police Chief Forums are scheduled for January 23 at 1pm and January 24 at 6pm and will be held
at the Senior Citizens Center. The community is invited to attend to meet the police chief candidate(s) and to
provide feedback to the PFC on the hiring process as it pertains to the public safety needs of the community.
PFC members are encouraged to attend both sessions.
Next Commission meeting is to-be-scheduled (the Commission meets quarterly, at minimum).
If necessary, please send any agenda requests to Chief BJ DeMaa or Interim Chief J. Rasch so appropriate
preparation(s) can be made.
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:17pm made by J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Rhodes, Secretary
MINUTES
POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION (PFC) MEETING
Waupun City Hall – 201 E. Main Street, Waupun
Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 5:00pm
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting convened at 5:00pm by PFC President in the Waupun City Hall.
ROLL CALL
Present: John Bett (PFC Vice President), Bambi Buchholz (PFC Citizen), Teresa Heidemann (PFC Citizen), Bobbi Jo
Kunz (Council Member-Ex Officio), Tara Rhodes (PFC Citizen/Secretary), Mike Thurmer (PFC Citizen/President)
Member(s) absent (excused): N/A
Guests: Kathy Schlieve (City Administrator): joined Closed Session at 5:39pm
CLOSED SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission adjourned into closed session under Section 19.85 (1) (c) of the
WI Statutes to finalize interview questions for filling of the Police Chief vacancy. The PFC resourced
compiled results from the survey provided to the public and a bank of questions provided by the
consultant, Riesling Group and a peer community for closed session.
(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee
over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Motion to go into Closed Session at 5:01pm was made by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
OPEN SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission reconvened in open session under Section 19.85(2) of the WI Statutes at
6:33pm after motion from J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no action from Closed Session.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND GATHERING INVOLVING THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for 4:30pm Monday, February 12 at the Waupun City Hall.
If necessary, please send any agenda requests to Chief BJ DeMaa or Interim Chief J. Rasch so appropriate
preparation(s) can be made.
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:34pm made by J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Rhodes, Secretary
MINUTES
POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION (PFC) MEETING
Waupun City Hall – 201 E. Main Street, Waupun
Monday, February 12, 2024 at 4:30pm
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting convened at 4:33pm by PFC President in the Waupun City Hall.
ROLL CALL
Present: John Bett (PFC Vice President), Bambi Buchholz (PFC Citizen), Teresa Heidemann (PFC Citizen), Bobbi Jo
Kunz (Council Member-Ex Officio; joined at 4:42p), Tara Rhodes (PFC Citizen/Secretary), Mike Thurmer (PFC
Citizen/President),
Member(s) absent (excused):
Guests: Kathy Schlieve (City Administrator), Debra Hettnick (Riseling Group), FDL County Sheriff Ryan
Waldschmidt
Motion at 4:34pm to include guests (K. Schlieve and subject-matter-experts Sheriff R. Waldschmidt and D.
Hettnick) in closed session was made by J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
CLOSED SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission adjourned into closed session under Section 19.85 (1) (c) of the
WI Statutes to interview a qualified candidate for employment for the Police Chief vacancy (candidate
application, resume and cover letter provided).
(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee
over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Motion at 4:35pm to go into Closed Session was made by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
OPEN SESSION
The Waupun Police and Fire Commission reconvened in open session under Section 19.85(2) of the WI Statutes
after at 7:38pm motion from J. Bett, T. Heidemann second; all in favor, motion passed.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
Sheriff R. Waldschmidt and D. Hettnick recommend the Waupun PFC extend offer for Waupun Chief position to
candidate J. Rasch (both exited closed session at 7:13pm).
Motion at 7:39pm to extend offer for Waupun Chief position to candidate J. Rasch was made by J. Bett, B.
Buchholz second; all in favor/unanimous, motion passed.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND GATHERING INVOLVING THE POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
The next Commission meeting is to-be-determined. The PFC meets quarterly, at minimum.
If necessary, please send any agenda requests to Chief BJ DeMaa or Interim Chief J. Rasch so appropriate
preparation(s) can be made.
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and
services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion at 7:40pm to adjourn meeting made by J. Bett, B. Buchholz second; all in favor, motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Rhodes, Secretary
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