BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new staffing study reveals that the Bethlehem Fire Department is operating below national safety standards, with fewer firefighters per shift than recommended and slower response times across parts of the city.
According to a union-backed analysis presented this month, Bethlehem currently has eight vacant firefighter positions, leaving about 18 firefighters on duty per shift — well below the 31 firefighters per shift recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for a city of its size.
The report shows that Bethlehem Fire handled more than 4,700 calls in 2024, a 29% increase since 2021, as the city continues to expand residential and commercial development.
“We operate way below national standards, despite the incredible work our members do every day,” said Lt. Lou Jimenez, president of the firefighters’ union, IAFF Local 735. “This is about safety — both for our firefighters and the people we protect.”
Coverage Gaps Across the City
The study found that only 26% of Bethlehem is within the ideal 4-minute arrival window for the first responding fire units — a key safety benchmark. The national standard calls for 90% of emergency calls to meet that timeframe.
The shortfall means that firefighters may arrive minutes later in some neighborhoods, particularly as the city grows north and east toward newer industrial and residential zones.
Firefighters also report rising fatigue and overtime usage as they work extended hours to fill the gap.
“You can boil the difference between life and death down for people in this community in one breath — it takes about six seconds,” said firefighter and union treasurer Kyle Dolton.
City Reviewing Its Own Fire & EMS Study
City officials have acknowledged the staffing strain and in 2025 issued a Fire and EMS Efficiency Study RFP that will examine staffing, station locations, equipment, and apparatus needs.
The Bethlehem Fire Department currently operates out of four fire stations, though it previously maintained five. The union-sponsored study recommends adding another station near Linden and East Goepp Streets to improve coverage and meet national benchmarks.
Bethlehem’s proposed 2026 fire department budget totals about $15 million, which includes two new fire apparatus and a 3% salary increase for firefighters, not including overtime.
Community Impact
Residents may not notice daily effects, but officials warn that slower response times and reliance on mutual aid could increase as the city continues to grow.
The department has faced staffing shortages before, but union leaders say this one comes as emergency calls — including structure fires, medical incidents, and hazardous materials responses — are climbing sharply.
“The men and women of this department continue to perform at an exceptionally high level,” Jimenez said. “But to maintain that, the city must invest in staffing and equipment that match Bethlehem’s growth
