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Juneau Fire Department 128 E. Cross St Juneau, WI 53039 April 15, 2026 Chief Eddie Weiss called the monthly Juneau Fire Dept meeting to order and roll call was taken. Brian Smedema made a motion to approve the agenda, with Curt Ninmann seconding it, motion carried. Jessy Schuster made a motion to accept the previous meeting minutes, with Jermey Schuster seconding it, motion carried. There was a motion made by Brian Smedema to accept the treasurer's report, with Steve Graff seconding it, motion carried. Public Comment: None Communications: Moraine Park Summer / Fall List is out. Gratton Garages Donated $1300.00 to use towards another Personal Thermal imaging camera. May 2nd Retire Dave Snow. Training: Fund Raising: Trap Shoot 9/12/2026 Fund Purchase: Nothing to Report Fire Prevention: Nothing to report Preplan & Inspection: Working on follow ups Membership: Deb Quackenboss will be leaving for Deployment at a future date. Maintenance: Batteries ordered to replace the batteries in the SCBA packs. Review Passed calls: We went over the previous month's calls. RRS: 150 Committee: Nothing to report Old Business: nothing to report Lexipol / Fire Rescue One: Independent study program. Once the online is completed it is added to your file. ESO: Check lists need to get done weekly, New Business: Dodge County Fair needs us this year to help with the stage. Only 1 Demo this year mid afternoon. Dave Beal made a motion to have a $120 Full page ad in the Fair book this year, second by Curt Ninmann, motion carried. Hose test is on going pending weather watch IAR for events. Fit Test is done. Truck checks need to be completed along with the SCBA unit when used. Truck check policy 602: needs to be done every third Wednesday, and after every call. 2371 update: Water leak @ swivel not warranty. Seagrave came and looked at a few issues - they will email Chief. SPS 330: Everyone needs to have ICS 800, it is an online course. Fire inspections: should have a certified Fire Inspector for inspections. Driving apparatus: Need to have Operator Class. Must have 2 trainings days in a month. Everyone needs 12 online classes in a year. New Training: 2nd training, Motion made by Dan Wegener to have second training 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Second by Curt Ninmann, motion carried. Health and Safety Committee Policy 819 / SCBA policy 808 are updated. Chief’s perspective of SPS330, and responding to emergency calls. IAR: PLEASE USE IT !!!! Monthly Cleanup: Curt Ninmann, John Schuster. There was a motion made by Curt Ninmann, to adjourn the meeting with Nick Zank seconding it, motion carried. Respectfully submitted Erin Schuster Trustee Juneau Fire Department 128 E. Cross St Juneau, WI 53039 Chiefs Perspective of SPS 330 Consultation I want to take a moment to talk about where we are as a department and where we are going. During my review of department records for the SPS 330 consultation, a concern was raised that camaraderie within the department is not what it used to be. That may be true. But I want to be very clear about something: we are not in decline—we are in transition. And transition is never comfortable. What we are doing right now is building something better than what existed before. For too long, there has been a perception—both internally and in the community—of a “good ol’ boys club.” That is not who we are going forward. That is not what we are going to be. We are building a professional fire department where every member is welcomed, respected, and held to the same standard. But understand this: respect is not given by tradition. It is earned through action. I want to talk about camaraderie, because it is important—but it is often misunderstood. Camaraderie is not built in a bar. It is not built through gossip. Those things may feel social, but they do not build trust—they weaken it. Real camaraderie is built under pressure. It is built in training. It is built when things are hard, when you are tired, when you are challenged, and when you still show up and push through it together. Over 30 years ago, I learned this in the Army. We trained hard. Everyone trained—officers, enlisted, everyone. Nobody stood on the sidelines. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We pushed each other. We corrected each other. And because of that shared experience, we trusted each other with our lives. That is the level of trust and unity we are expected to build here. Now, let’s bring that back to today. The Juneau Fire Department is facing challenges. And we are going to meet those challenges head-on. We are going to adapt, and we are going to improve. The training requirements from the State of Wisconsin are not optional. They are not negotiable. And they are not beyond our reach. We will meet them. As Chief, I will do everything I can to provide access, support, and opportunity for training. But I need you to understand something very clearly: I cannot do the work for you. Each member is responsible for their own effort, their own attitude, and their own commitment. That is where accountability comes in. If you choose to ignore expectations, or place yourself in situations that lead to discipline, you will be held accountable. That is not personal—that is leadership. And I will say this plainly: do not mistake fairness, patience, or professionalism for weakness. We are moving forward as a department. Not backward. Not sideways. Forward. If you cannot support that direction, or if you are unwilling to adapt to the standards required of us, then you need to seriously evaluate whether this is the right place for you. Because what we are building is bigger than any one individual. These changes are necessary. They are necessary for compliance. They are necessary for professionalism. And most importantly, they are necessary for the future of the Juneau Fire Department. Now is the time to commit. Now is the time to step up. And now is the time to decide what kind of department we are going to be.