EASTON, Pa. — Mayor Sal Panto Jr. swore in firefighter Joseph Leicht as a lieutenant at city council’s meeting last week.
But Leicht already had gone through the proverbial “trial by fire” during the Lehigh Street fire over Independence Day weekend.
Firefighters, EMTs and other emergency workers packed the back of council chambers Wednesday to congratulate Joseph Liecht on his ceremonial promotion to lieutenant, celebrating their rising star who played an instrumental role in combating the overnight fire that displaced 18 people on July 5.
“He was our initial incident commander at the fire on the Lehigh Street on July 5, so I'm not making light of the incident — he was actually tested by fire."Easton Fire Chief Henry Hennings
Leicht started off as a volunteer firefighter at Nancy Run Fire Company in Bethlehem Township as he attended Northampton Community College.
“And then I fell in love with it," Leicht said. "I changed my major to emergency services and then wanted to pursue a career in firefighting. So I kind of made it my goal."
He also served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps, which Easton Fire Department Chief Henry Hennings said “provided him with a solid leadership platform.”
During that time, Leicht also enlisted as a firefighter, going through his second fire academy.
In 2016, Leicht graduated from the Allentown Fire Academy, and currently holds certifications as an EMT, firefighter one and two, fire officer one, fire instructor one and fire inspector one and two.
Beyond that, Leicht stepped up in the department’s acting lieutenant program.
Moving on to Easton
That same year, Leicht moved over to Easton Fire Department, where he currently serves.
“He was our initial incident commander at the fire on Lehigh Street on July 5, so I'm not making light of the incident — he was actually tested by fire,” Hennings said.
As it turns out, Leicht had been sworn in earlier this month by Panto, enabling him to serve as a lieutenant at the Lehigh Street fire — in only his second assignment since the promotion. (Last week's swearing-in was a ceremonial one, held publicly in council chambers).
The number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped from 60,000 to 38,000 since 2000, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. “That’s about one-tenth of the total the commonwealth had in the 1970s when its firefighting ranks measured at 370,000.”Article in FireRescue1
“And so he was able to be the lieutenant for that fire," Panto said.
"We're glad that he was there because we were able to fight a fire that did not cause any injury or death, and that is always a good sign."
Liecht said he is looking forward to working with his crew, particularly those who are just at the start of their service.
“It feels good," Liecht said. "I try to mentor and inspire young new grads as they come on, and I feel like I have more of a platform to do that, having gone from firefighter to lieutenant."
Younger firefighters such as Liecht are important to the future.
While Easton has paid firefighters, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped from 60,000 to 38,000 since 2000, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute.
“That’s about one-tenth of the total the commonwealth had in the 1970s when its firefighting ranks measured at 370,000,” an article from FireRescue1 states.
Said Leicht of his new command: “I look forward to the opportunity to be able to lead these guys and continuing the best possible service that I can provide to the City of Easton."
