The lead fire inspector has been hired and three other fire inspectors have been announced in Salisbury Township.

Lead Salisbury Township Fire Inspector Dustin Grow, an Allentown Fire Department Firefighter-Emergency Medical Technician, was introduced by Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles to township commissioners at the May 22 township meeting.

"We'll get the others [fire inspectors] on board, too," Stiles said.

Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano announced, also at the May 22 meeting, the other three township fire inspectors are Dev Kannan, Western Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief; Kyle Mertl, Eastern Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief, and Dave Tomcics; Eastern Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief and president.

Stiles, Soriano and Grow were to have held a meeting the week of May 26 to work on policies and procedures. Implementation of the program is imminent.

Grow is an Allentown Fire Department firefighter-EMT since 2010 where he has been a HAZMAT team member, Allentown Fire Academy instructor and fire safety awareness educator.

Grow was a fire inspector-firefighter for Upper Macungie Township, 2007 to 2010, where he was involved in the creation and implementation of a fire inspection program for commercial buildings.

He served with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Willow Grove, 2002 to 2011, where he was a fire protection specialist, concentrating on industrial facility inspections and fire suppression systems maintenance, among other duties.

From 2003 to 2008, Grow was a firefighter-driver for the Emmaus Fire Department, with an emphasis on dwelling, commercial and industrial pre-fire inspections, among other roles.

Grow was a firefighter-driver with Topton Volunteer Fire Company, 2000 to 2010, working on updating fire service certifications and other activities.

Grow, a Fleetwood resident, received a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from Kutztown University.

The fire inspection program is administered by the Salisbury Township Police Department. Fire inspectors are overseen by Stiles and Salisbury Township Police Sgt. Donald Sabo, Jr.

The fire inspectors' uniform includes a light blue shirt, with a fire inspector insignia and dark blue pants.

The program is intended to ensure property owners comply with fire prevention laws, with a goal to prevent fires, improve safety for residents and increase safety for firefighters and police in the event of a fire.

The fire inspectors, who work part time, are state-certified. Compensation for the inspectors' hourly pay is to be offset by inspection fees.

Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 at the Jan. 23 township meeting to advertise for a part-time fire inspector, to be paid approximately $17 an hour, with no benefits, and work 20 to 25 hours per week.

Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 at the Dec. 19, 2013 meeting to approve the Fire Prevention & Life Safety Ordinance.

The ordinance took effect 60 days after its passage, or approximately Feb. 19.

The inspection program has been long-advocated by Stiles, Salisbury fire department officials and volunteer firefighters. The program was discussed at several township workshops and meetings in 2013.

The ordinance mandates an annual inspection of commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family residential buildings for possible violations of fire, safety and health code requirements of Chapter 7 of the International Property Maintenance Code. The township ordinance does not apply to single-family residences.

The ordinance covers, among other matters: building egress, fire alarms, portable fire extinguishers, fire-resistance ratings, fire-protection systems, fire-extinguishing systems, chemical-extinguishing systems, flammable and combustible liquids, motor fuel dispensing facilities and repair garages, ventilation control and commercial cooking operations.

The ordinance establishes a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days if convicted of a violation of the ordinance.

Each day of the violation is considered a separate offense, with fines and penalties imposed on a daily basis.