Fire Inspections Possible for Palmer

Several fire department issues took up a chunk of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors' agenda Tuesday night.

Township Manager Christopher Christman asked the supervisors to consider drafting an ordinance allowing the township to conduct fire inspections to help prevent fires like the blaze in July.

"That fire brought questions that the township should be involved in a formal inspection process," Christman said. "This can be a brand new inspection that can be covered by our office without an additional staffing increase."

Fire Commissioner said the inspection would cover "simple housekeeping" like ensuring that the sprinklers aren't blocked in mechanical rooms and that water isn't running through the ceiling into electrical outlets in apartment buildings.

"We're trying to get our foot in the door," Grube said. "We need to start someplace. We'll see how that goes and grow it from there."

Grube said he's talked about an inspection program for the past five years and hoped that he could get someone dedicated to fire inspections.

Supervisor Chairman David Colver agreed that "we want the township to be safer."

An inspection would be conducted with a report filed within 10 days. The company would have 30 days to comply with the findings or face penalties before the district judge.

Supervisor Robert Smith impressed upon officials that the township would need to stick to an inspection fee structure.

"We're hitting businesses with another fee," he said. "If it's going to be hundreds of dollars, then I'm not in favor of it."

The supervisors requested Christman to draft an ordinance.

Meanwhile, Palmer plans on taking an offer from for fire training at the neighboring township's new training center, Grube said.

And Grube sought the supervisors' permission to get some funding, at least $2,000 a year, for fuel costs, insurance and maintenance on a new fire training vehicle.

The existing vehicle, which is 16 years old and has 45,000 miles, will be used as a command vehicle.

Grube said it will help free him up to be a "9-to-5 guy."

He said the township handles 600 fire calls a year.