West Bend, WI – The West Bend Police and Fire Commission has completed its search, and the new incoming fire chief has been selected.
Norin, 50, previously served in Davenport, Iowa. He came to Onalaska and in 2021 was sworn in as the Assistant Chief for the City of Onalaska Fire Department. Previously, Norin was a Captain and 30-year member of the Davenport Fire Department, as well as a Medforce Flight Paramedic. Norin retired as captain after serving 30 years with the City of Davenport.
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When Onlaska Fire Chief Gudie announced his retirement, Norin said he applied but was not selected.
Les Norin M.A., EFO, NRP – 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Onalaska Fire Department Waldorf University Onalaska Fire Department Onalaska, Wisconsin, United States
“West Bend looks like a thriving, growing community and has a lot of exciting things going on with a dedicated fire department and I’m looking forward to being part of that team,” he said. “It looks like they have a very professional, dedicated fire department that I’m very anxious to get to be part of that team and have the opportunity to provide some leadership.”
Questioned what he hopes to improve in West Bend, Norin said he will focus on a strategic plan.
“There was a study done by McMahon a while back that provided some recommended direction, if you will, and one of the big key things that I noticed in there is a lack of a strategic plan,” said Norin. “Strategic planning is very important for having a unified direction and getting everybody rowing the boat in the same direction and towards the same destination.
“So, those strategic plans are going to be my priorities for the community. Other than that, it’s first things first, to take an assessment of where things are at, given a new perspective and find out things that are due for some change or due for some improvement. But honestly, I feel like the fire department is very active in the community and I’m really excited to be part of that.”
While there were two selection processes conducted by the West Bend Police & Fire Commission, Norin said he only applied for the second round of interviews.
Norin comes to West Bend, WI with a wife and 10-year-old son.
Norin is looking to pick up the reins as fire chief October 1, 2023. He will succeed Chief Gerald Kudek who retired earlier this year.
This was the second round of interviews conducted by the West Bend Police and Fire Commission to fill the post. After the first round of interviews was completed the candidate selected did not accept the position.
The commission changed, for the second round, Section VI of the Police and Fire Commission Rules and Regulations. Basically, revisions were made to the hiring process; those changes are noted below.
The following are the qualifications necessary to be appointed Fire Chief in the City of West Bend:
1. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration,
or a related field.
2. Either (a) completion of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, (b) a master’s degree or higher degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other related field, (c) completion of an executive fire service school or certificate program similar to the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program or a master’s degree program at an accredited academic institution, or (d) other equivalent relevant fire service certification or leadership experience in management of a fire department.
3. Minimum of Ten (10) years of work experience in the fire service.
4. Minimum of Five (5) years of experience in management of a fire department with specific experience in planning and budgeting in a command and senior leadership position.
5. A valid driver’s license.
Nanci Heaps, with the Police & Fire Commission, said the “second job posting should be out Wednesday, June 14, 2023.”
“Notices will also be sent to those who already applied,” said Heaps. “Anyone with qualifications will be allowed to interview after changes were made yesterday.”
There were several people from with the West Bend Fire Department who applied to the initial posting.
Until a full-time chief is selected, Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle was named to serve as the interim chief. Beistle was named interim at the May 23, 2023 meeting of the Police & Fire Commission.
The Police and Fire Commission has gone outside the community in the past when it hired Jim Vest in 2000; Vest hailed from Oak Park, Illinois. Vest retired from Oak Park as a battalion chief when he was 53. Vest retired as chief in West Bend at 65.
Kudek was Battalion Chief before taking over when Vest stepped down after 12 years in December 2012. At that time Kudek was one of four candidates to apply for the job; all who applied were from within the department.
Beistle has been with the WBFD for 30 years. He’s been Deputy Chief since July 2016.
