Bozinski named Fire Inspector of the Year

Joe Bozinski went to this year’s Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association conference expecting to attend sessions. He came home with the association’s top honor.
Bozinski, the Merrill Fire Department’s fire inspector, was named Fire Inspector of the Year on Oct. 22, 2026, at the association’s annual conference in Wisconsin Dells. Fire Chief Josh Klug had nominated him several months earlier, but Bozinski didn’t know he’d won until the award was announced at Thursday night’s banquet. His family and several members of the fire department were there with him.
“Five years ago Joe was hired as our first-ever fire inspector in our department’s 138-year history,” Klug said in his nomination letter. “In that time, Inspector Bozinski has daily demonstrated why he is deserving of this award.”
Fire inspections used to be done by whichever crew was on duty, so the results varied. Now Bozinski handles every inspection himself.
“When Inspector Bozinski became the sole person conducting fire inspections, business owners benefited from the consistent code enforcement,” Klug said.

The results show. Since 2021, the fire code violation rate in the department’s jurisdiction has dropped 54%.
“With this significant reduction in violations, we know that our businesses and occupancies are safer,” Klug said.
Bozinski’s work has also freed up time for other work. He now schedules monthly pre-plan visits so firefighters can learn the layouts of high-hazard buildings before an emergency, and he has taken on plan review and code research, according to Klug.
Bozinski says the key is working with business owners and occupants, not just citing them.
“People genuinely want to do the right thing, but they don’t always know what that entails,” Bozinski said.
He brought more than 20 years of fire service experience to the job, most of it with the Village of Maine Fire Department. He also worked full time at Crystal Finishing Systems and Greenheck before he retired from the private sector.
“He understands what it’s like for a maintenance department of a company to work with the local fire inspector,” Klug said. “He has definitely formed a bond with the businesses and companies in the Merrill area.”
Bozinski said he’s grateful for the recognition.
“I am incredibly appreciative of this award and feel fortunate to have served the community of Merrill and outlying areas for the last five years,” Bozinski said. “My goal has always been to inspire safety, not just conduct inspections.”
Klug said he couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate. The department is encouraging residents to congratulate Bozinski and thank him for his service to the Merrill area.