Oct. 15, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem City Council will review a study of the fire department and emergency services needs at a meeting on Tuesday.
The battle of the studies may be on.
An earlier study presented by the fire fighters’ union said the department needs more staff.
After the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735 study came out, the administration of Mayor J. William Reynolds decided to seek its own review.
In February, City Council approved an $82,740 contract with Center for Public Safety Management, a research firm, for the administration’s study. That review has not yet been made public.
From the February meeting:
“The city seeks to retain the service of a highly qualified consultant to conduct an objective and comprehensive Fire and EMS apparatus, protection and efficiency study. The study will analyze and evaluate apparatus/equipment/maintenance, station locations, response patterns, and staffing for both the Fire and the EMS bureaus.”
The Bethlehem City Council Public Safety Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 in Town Hall.
There is only one item on the agenda:
The Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM
in Town Hall. The Committee will consider the following Fire Department matter:
- Fire/EMS Operations Study
