Irwin to explore fire safety inspection program

Irwin borough officials have approved a plan for the fire department committee to develop a new fire safety inspection program. The committee will work in collaboration with the Irwin fire department and community stakeholders.

The borough council voted unanimously to approve the initiative, which will be spearheaded by council members Amanda Morrison and Frank Rossi. The full council will have to give final approval before the program is instituted.

Councilman Shawn Stitely, who also serves as a deputy chief for the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, said a fire safety inspection program “will bring a lot more safety to the borough.”

Morrison noted that the committee plans to have a proposal for the council to review before the end of the year and will be meeting with fire Chief Justin Mochar.

Although neither Rossi nor Morrison are members of the Irwin fire department, Rossi has been a member of Greensburg Hose Company No. 1 for 46 years. Three other council members — Stitely, Tyler Baum and Nick Powanda — are active Irwin firefighters.

Mochar was not available for comment, but he previously told borough officials the fire safety program is in its initial stages. Mochar said it is likely the fire department would create a separate legal entity to operate the inspections and that the Irwin firefighters are already certified to conduct them.

Public discussions have not yet addressed key details, including which properties would be subject to inspection, associated fees, and whether volunteer firefighters would receive compensation for their services. Should Irwin implement the program, it would join Jeannette as one of the few municipalities to have its fire department conduct safety inspections.