Last of four parts

In its sixth year, the Salisbury Township Fire Inspector Program again posted an increase in the number of fire inspections, an increase in the fees revenue and an increase in the program’s deficit.

There were 404 fire inspections in 2018, an increase from 364 fire inspections in 2017, an increase from 356 fire inspections in 2016 and an increase from 296 fire inspections in 2015.

There were 65 public complaint responses in 2018, an increase from 52 public complaint responses in 2017, a category not listed in the 2016 and 2015 annual township police reports.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles released the police department’s annual report to township commissioners and the media.

Fire inspection fees revenue was $50,025, an increase from $41,255 in 2017, an increase from $36,945 in 2016 and an increase from $34,435 in 2015.

The cost of the fire inspection program was $67,700 in 2018, with $50,000 of that in part-time wages, $12,770 in administration and training costs and $5,000 in rental inspection and program setup.

The cost is an increase from the 2017 cost of the fire inspection program of $59,654, with $44,654 of that in part-time salaries and $15,000 in administration and training costs.

It’s an increase from the 2016 cost of the fire inspection program of $50,088, with $37,088 in part-time salaries and $13,000 in administration and training costs in 2016.

It’s an increase from the 2015 cost of the fire inspection program of $43,517.50, with $39,017.50 in part-time salaries and $4,500 in administration and training costs.

Based on revenue and expense figures in the annual police report, the deficit in 2018 for the fire inspection program nearly doubled to $17,675, compared to a $8,399 deficit in 2017.

The Salisbury Township Police Department provides annual fire safety-life safety inspections in the township. The fire safety program was created by township ordinance in 2013.

Fire District 59, which is Salisbury Township, is affiliated with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Lehigh County and federal entities.

The township police department fire marshal, arson investigator and fire inspector program supervisor is Sgt. Donald Sabo Jr.

Sgt. Kevin Soberick is also an arson investigator.

The five part-time township fire inspectors in the township police department are Lead Inspector Dustin Grow and Kyle Mertl, Matthew Griffin, Thomas Hart and Kevin Thomas.

In 2018, according to the annual report, fire inspectors continued community outreach, fire prevention and Knox-Box projects.

A Knox-Box is a wall-mounted safe which holds building keys for fire departments, emergency medical services and police to retrieve in emergency situations. Fire departments hold master keys to boxes in their response area, so personnel can quickly enter a building without having to force entry.

In 2018, fire inspectors again received additional tools and equipment. The inspectors participated in new building plan reviews and Code-Master reviews for possible fire safety-life safety issues.

The inspectors continued a coordinated effort with Lehigh County Emergency Dispatch to update the Computer-Aided Dispatch program to include fire hazards and life-safety hazards in the township.

Grow set up the newly-authorized rental inspection program in a joint effort with the township code enforcement officer.

Township commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a resolution to increase fire inspection fees at the March 22, 2018, township meeting. Fees increased from $10 to $100. New fees went into effect after commissioners’ approval.

According to the annual fire inspection report, “Coordination of services is still the primary goal, and great effort has been made to organize, plan for and mitigate hazards in Salisbury Township.”

In September 2016, Rocket became the new township K-9 patrol dog, replacing Fonzie, who died Feb. 2.

Senior Patrol Officer Jason Laky is the partner of Rocket, who completed training and certification in 2016. The first Salisbury police department K-9 unit went into service in May 2003.

The township K-9 Unit is funded by the Lehigh County District Attorney office, Salisbury Township and township citizens.

In 2018, there were 122 archery permits issued, a decrease from 134 archery permits issued in 2017, a decrease from 140 archery permits issued in 2016 and a decrease from 155 archery permits issued in 2015.

Archery permits were issued to 22 township residents in 2018, a decrease from archery permits issued to 26 township residents in 2017, a decrease from archery permits issued to 32 residents in 2016 and a decrease from archery permits issued to 29 residents in 2015.

Archery permits were issued to 90 nonresidents in 2018, a decrease from archery permits issued to 108 nonresidents in 2017, identical to archery permits issued to 108 nonresidents in 2016 and a decrease from archery permits issued to 126 nonresidents in 2015.

There was one junior hunting permit issued in 2018, identical to one junior hunting permit issued in 2017, a decrease from three junior hunting permits issued in 2017 and a decrease from three junior hunting permits issued in 2015.

One junior hunting permit was issued to a resident in 2018, identical to one junior hunting permit issued to a resident in 2017, a decrease from two junior hunting permits issued to two residents in 2016 and an increase from no junior hunting permits issued to residents in 2015.

No junior hunting permits were issued to nonresidents in 2018, identical to no junior hunting permits issued to nonresidents in 2017, a decrease from one junior hunting permit issued to one nonresident in 2016 and a decrease from three junior hunting permits issued to three nonresidents in 2015.