Green Bay Reduces Fire Inspections to Save Money

Green Bay Fire Department officials are preparing to reduce inspections on 3,000 buildings with good safety records to save money.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that the plan is to reduce inspections from twice a year to once a year for some commercial buildings and some large apartment and condominium buildings.

The change is scheduled to start Jan. 1. Officials say it will both save money and allow the department to pay more attention to high risk properties.

Fire Chief Jeff Roemer said he’s confident the change will not harm fire safety.

Some in town are not so sure. Tom Binish, general manager of a safety consulting firm, said the city shouldn’t reduce inspections without requiring owners to do private inspections.

The City Council approved the change Nov. 3.