BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Though no one was in the house at the time of a fire on March 9, resident Kelly Berfield and her 7-year-old daughter watched from the front sidewalk as flames engulfed their former West North Street home.
Berfield said they had recently moved out and the home was going to be put up for sale that very week.
In the aftermath of the blaze and following response from the fire department, she said she was “paralyzed by the destruction.”
Berfield said Bethlehem Fire Capt. Matthew Griffin “gently walked me outside and began talking not as an investigator, but as a human being.”
“What impressed me most about Captain Griffin was not only his technical knowledge, which is substantial, but his empathy, his clarity and his professionalism during one of the worst moments of my life."Bethlehem resident Kelly Berfield
“What impressed me most about Captain Griffin was not only his technical knowledge, which is substantial, but his empathy, his clarity and his professionalism during one of the worst moments of my life,” Berfield said.
Fighting back tears and at a loss for words before City Council on Tuesday, Griffin said to Berfield, “It’s not often that we know and understand the impact that our job has on others.”
Later in the meeting, City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Griffin, an 18-year BFD veteran, as the department's newest fire chief and emergency management coordinator. His first day on the job will be July 4.
“I stand before you today because I look forward and I want to continue the positive working relationship with you, the members of council, the city administration and Local 735 ... "Incoming Bethlehem Fire Chief Matthew Griffin
Outgoing Chief Michael Reich is set to retire after a year in the role and more than two decades with the city fire force.
“I stand before you today because I look forward and I want to continue the positive working relationship with you, the members of council, the city administration and Local 735," Griffin said.
"So that together we can all continue to better serve the residents and visitors of our great city."
A busy man
As a captain, Griffin's main role has been to train new recruits — 28 of those have entered the fire academy in the past two years, with four more set to graduate in 22 weeks, Griffin said.
He’s a state-certified fire instructor and inspector, and has served as adjunct faculty member at Northampton Community College and its Emergency Services program.
He also recently completed course requirements to obtain an associate coordinator certification with a specialization in emergency management.
Griffin is a graduate of the University of New Haven in Connecticut, holds a degree in fire and arson investigation with a minor in criminal justice, and emergency services technology associate’s degree from Northampton Community College.
As for Reich, the outgoing chief said he’s looking forward to more time spent with grandkids and gardening when he relocates with his family soon to the Altoona, Blair County, area.
He succeeded Chief Warren Achey, who retired last spring.
"He has done amazing things for this department in the short time he has been chief, and I hope to be able to be the person who carries on that legacy.”Incoming Bethlehem Fire Chief Matthew Griffin on the retirement of his longtime mentor, outgoing Chief Michael Reich
Reich described his time with the department as “very fulfilling” and his departure as “kinda bittersweet,” but he said he's confident Griffin will do a top-notch job among personnel who are second to none.
“Chief Reich has been a great mentor over the last 20 years, and I am very sorry to see him go,” Griffin said.
“He has done amazing things for this department in the short time he has been chief, and I hope to be able to be the person who carries on that legacy.”
A bid farewell
Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735 President Luis Jimenez said the union is pleased in Griffin's appointment.
"Incoming Chief Griffin is knowledgeable and dedicated to our department and we look forward in continuing to move in a positive direction with both Fire administration and city administration."Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735 President Luis Jimenez
"Incoming Chief Griffin is knowledgeable and dedicated to our department and we look forward in continuing to move in a positive direction with both Fire administration and city administration," Jimenez said.
"Under his guidance, Local 735 and the City of Bethlehem made meaningful strides in strengthening public safety and labor relations.
"We're going to miss him, but we know he left the department better than he found it."
“We are obviously sad to see him go, but also incredibly appreciative and grateful for over two decades of service."Mayor J. William Reynolds on outgoing Fire Chief Michael Reich
Mayor J. William Reynolds said, “We are obviously sad to see him go, but also incredibly appreciative and grateful for over two decades of service."
But Reich leaves the department in good hands with Griffin, the mayor said.
The city’s 2025 budget has more than twice the new-recruit training allocations compared with the previous year, and Reynolds said Reich played a crucial role in making that happen.
“I really just want to add my thanks to you, Chief Reich," Councilwoman Keira Wilhelm said.
"In the short time that you’ve been chief, you have seen the city through major transition and tragedy as well, certainly, and your leadership has been a great comfort to many.
“Certainly wish you well in your retirement, but I want you to know how grateful we are to you and Captain Griffin.”
