Network Builds Wisconsin

Local government officials, municipal managers, building regulation supervisors and fire department officials looking to better coordinate delivery of regulatory services for the built environment will gather at the second annual meeting of the Wisconsin Building Safety Network (WBSN) on Wednesday, September 24 at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee.

The focus is to continue building on the network of local officials from development to building to fire concern; the WBSN meeting will give community officials an opportunity to connect with counterparts and share their knowledge and expertise. Through facilitation of the network Department of Commerce (Commerce) staff can help communities develop a streamlined approach that furthers economic development while ensuring public safety.

Commerce formed the WBSN to help communities coordinate their community development, economic development, building regulation and fire department efforts into a cooperative and streamlined process that results in building projects getting completed faster, safer and at less cost. Commerce and UW-Madison worked with an advisory group of officials from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Fire Inspectors Association, the Wisconsin Counties Association and many others to plan the September WBSN meeting.

The all-day program includes presentations by several Wisconsin municipalities about building projects that they have successfully implemented. Participants will take home practical information about:

Effective regulatory management strategies, "Making it Happen"
A key ingredient to the quality of life for those living, working and playing in your community is the built environment. Providing a sustainable future for your community involves a management strategy that recognizes all of the components that result in a lasting image. The foundation of health, safety and welfare has grown exponentially while embracing quality of life and sustainable growth, resulting in yet a greater burden on the municipality with limited resources. The health safety and welfare components of the quality of life formula do not end at occupancy. On going fire prevention and maintenance programs are also critical to any community's sustainable future.

Effective coordination of building code programs and local economic development
"Our community is open for business!" Most recently this has been the banner of a number of communities around our state as well as the country. The success of that opportunity is realized by understanding and meeting the needs of those stakeholders investing in your community while maintaining health, safety and welfare. One stop shopping, streamlining and project management tools are being used by communities that recognize their potential to succeed and build on their sustainable future. The success of any community's growth and development is also tied to its fire prevention and maintenance program. Stakeholders in any community's future begin by recognizing that community's commitment to safety and quality of life.

Managing storm water runoff
The positive growth and development being experienced throughout our communities and regions has begun to highlight its impact on our finite resource of water. Federal and State regulations are not only looking to the municipalities and regional authorities for enforcement but have also mandated participation. Meeting the charge of both federal and state regulation coupled with local based rules and process based on your communities existing resources can be addressed any number of ways. The environmental concerns associated with effective storm water management impacts as well as potentially benefits fire safety. From the added impact of run off associated with apparatus access roads to recognizing retention ponds for water supply.

For detailed program information, registration and lodging, please visit http://epd.engr.wisc.edu/webK241, or Henry Kosarzycki, Commerce, 608-212-0138, henry.kosarzycki@wisconsin.gov. To allow for meaningful dialogue, registrations will be limited to a first-come, first-serve basis.

-- Henry Kosarzycki, AIA