BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A City Council majority voted down an adjustment to the proposed 2026 city budget that would have allowed for adding four new firefighter positions.
A recent study from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735, the Bethlehem department’s collective bargaining unit representing more than 100 personnel, shows a fire force facing an uptick in calls, along with several vacancies and overtime.
At the apex of a 5 1/2-hour meeting Thursday, the panel voted 2-5 — with Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith and Councilman Bryan Callahan supporting Crampsie Smith’s proposed amendments.
They would have reallocated money from the fire department overtime budget and the city’s Community Recovery Fund and Community and Economic Development Department to add the positions and allow for four promotions.
“The safety of our community has to be paramount."Bethlehem City Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith
“The safety of our community has to be paramount,” Crampsie Smith said.
She also called for officials to consider applying for grant assistance, such as Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or to reduce overtime if the amendment was approved.
Council members Michael Colón, Colleen Laird, Rachel Leon, Hillary Kwiatek and Kiera Wilhelm voted against the amendment.
In the last five minutes of the meeting, Callahan, in an apparent Hail Mary effort, also floated an amendment to raise the property tax rate an unspecified amount, as needed to help make the hires.
That failed 3-4, with Laird joining Crampsie Smith and Callahan in support of the motion.
'Just a start'
Council dissent generally stemmed from members wanting more time to assess the situation and broader data from the department to avoid a hasty decision.
In the case of major recurring expenses such as full-time firefighter positions, the majority of council members — just like Mayor J. William Reynolds and his administration have expressed previously — said they didn’t want to pay for them using one-time revenues.
Fire Lt. Lou Jimenez, who also is president of the department’s collective bargaining unit, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735, said the city could use its cash reserves, currently at $25 million.
He said it’s been used previously to pave sidewalks and buy firetrucks, for example.
“We’re asking for four positions, and that’s just a start."Bethlehem Fire Department Lt. Lou Jimenez, also president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735
“We’re asking for four positions, and that’s just a start,” Jimenez said.
Firefighters and other supporters were present in solidarity, and several voiced their support at the podium.
City Council held a budget hearing on Nov. 20 that lasted eight hours — a bulk of that discussion pertaining to fire department staffing woes.
Union-backed data shows a proper daily complement meeting national benchmarks would be 31 personnel across the city's four stations.
BFD currently operates any given shift with 18 firefighters. In extreme cases, shifts can run up to 39 hours, officials have said.
There are 82 active-duty firefighters on the city roster, with others away due to military deployment or injury.
And data shows BFD lost 10 positions and a firehouse over the past 15 years.
Department study ahead
Reynolds was not at the meeting.
But he has said he would rather the city complete its planned comprehensive Fire and EMS apparatus protection and efficiency study next year to avoid “an empty promise” to first responders.
The day after the meeting, Local 735 said its membership looked forward to working alongside the city in the upcoming study.
"When our resources are depleted within minutes during real emergencies, it is clear and undeniable proof that the system is broken and cannot continue the way it has.”Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735
“Even though the measure did not pass, we truly believe they now see what we are up against and understand that additional staffing is needed,” the union said in a Facebook post.
“Their engagement throughout this process matters, and we value that partnership moving forward.
“It was disappointing that the Mayor was not present for such an important discussion, and the community took notice. Moments like this deserve everyone at the table.
“This staffing crisis has dragged on for decades, overlooked again and again by past administrations."
'2 specific, different issues'
On Thursday, several nonprofit leaders spoke up about the importance of their organizations and the fire department alike — and it wasn't a question of choosing one or the other.
They said it obviously makes sense to bring on more first responders, but not at the expense of the Community Recovery Fund.
The CRF provides grant assistance for “nonprofit and community organizations that are helping Bethlehem residents recover from the pandemic and responding to our community’s most pressing needs,” according to the city website.
“It seems to me you have two specific, different issues that both need addressing, and yet here we come in opposition to one another."Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering Executive Director Bob Rapp
Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering Executive Director Bob Rapp said current financial pressures on the social services system affect “every facet of transitional living in the city of Bethlehem, all the way up to being permanently housed.”
He also vouched for city firefighters and departments beyond Bethlehem.
“It seems to me you have two specific, different issues that both need addressing, and yet here we come in opposition to one another,” Rapp said to City Council.
A final vote on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16.
