BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro was in town Friday to share how his proposed 2025-26 budget would support fire companies statewide.
At a news conference at Memorial Fire Station, 521 W. Broad Street, he touted three key initiatives outlined in the unofficial spending plan:
- A new $30 million grant program — paired with an additional $30 million already allocated for fire companies annually — for recruitment, retention and equipment.
- A pilot program for more collaboration and sharing of resources among municipal fire companies.
- Annual cancer screenings to be covered by the state, as firefighters face constant exposure to cancer-causing chemicals on the job — and even in the linings of the very gear they wear.
“You are there to have our backs; we need to have yours.”Gov. Josh Shapiro, to first responders around the Commonwealth
“Thank you to everyone across this Commonwealth who puts on any sort of uniform to run toward danger to keep the rest of us safe,” Shapiro said.
“I think that’s particularly true here in Bethlehem, where these brave men and women rush toward danger every single day.
“You are there to have our backs; we need to have yours.”
Last year’s state budget offered up $37.5 million in grants to be allocated across 2,500 local fire and EMS departments statewide.
Shapiro's first budget came with an increase to the 911 surcharge, from $1.65 to $1.95, to bolster the state’s 61 emergency call centers and emergency services in all 67 counties.
Fire at the governor's mansion
Shapiro's visit to the Christmas City came just days after the governor’s Harrisburg residence was set ablaze in a suspected arson.
Shapiro, his wife and four children, and another family — all of whom were escorted to safety by state police — were at the home asleep when the fire broke out.
They all were together celebrating Passover the evening before.
“Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack. Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice.”Vice President JD Vance, in a comment under an April 13 X post from Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro describing the fire at the governor's mansion
A suspect is in custody and facing a number of charges, including aggravated arson and terrorism.
Following what he said has been an outpouring of public support in the fire's aftermath, Shapiro said, "Lori and I have been just unbelievably bolstered and strengthened by the prayers of support we've received from so many across Pennsylvania."
Responding to questions from reporters on Wednesday, Shapiro said he had yet to hear from President Donald Trump since the fire.
In an April 13 post on X by Shapiro describing what happened, Vice President J.D. Vance commented:
“Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack. Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice.”
Prioritizing public safety
Robert Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association and recent retiree after 20 years of service with Bethlehem Fire, said proper emergency management begins with action at the local level.
And with the PPFFA representing more than 7,000 first responders statewide, Brooks said he understood the rising costs and lack of resources firsthand.
“We can’t fund public safety one bake sale at a time,” Brooks said. “We need to make public safety a priority at budget time.”
Brooks said it can cost $10,000 to outfit just one firefighter with the proper equipment, including breathing apparatus, coat, pants, boots, gloves, helmets and goggles.
"The governor’s proposed cancer screening funding is a critical step towards ensuring early detection and treatment for these brave first responders.”Bethlehem Fire Chief Michael Reich
Among the conditions firefighters are exposed to on the job, the responders’ bunker gear is even lined with cancer-causing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS.
The International Association of Fire Fighters has reported that common “turnout” gear includes PFAS to make fire-force PPE resilient to both water and oil.
Until the past year, the city department even made use of firefighting foam containing PFAS.
A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study and its 30,000 firefighter participants reported a 9% increase in cancer and a 14% jump in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population.
“I look forward to standing with my colleagues and working with the governor to make sure this budget is passed.”State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh
“The reality is that firefighters face a significantly elevated risk of cancer, and the governor’s proposed cancer screening funding is a critical step toward ensuring early detection and treatment for these brave first responders,” Bethlehem Fire Chief Michael Reich said.
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, at Friday's event, said, “I look forward to standing with my colleagues and working with the governor to make sure this budget is passed.”
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, also at the event, said she ran for office in part to honor the legacy of her late father, a 25-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department who died by suicide.
“But supporting mental health, as we all know, is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to supporting our first responders,” O’Mara said.
O’Mara was a sponsor of legislation approved last year, set to take effect in October, to expand worker’s compensation for emergency responders who experience work-related post-traumatic stress injuries.
Filling out the fleet in Bethlehem
The department in Bethlehem employs 104 fire personnel and 27 paramedics.
Reich said $4 million in city investments in recent years have secured the department three ambulances, three fire engines, a water-rescue boat and five other support vehicles.
Around that same timeframe, $130,000 more in state funding bought the department fire investigation equipment, IV pumps, a training mannequin, power saws, power fans, bomb suit and a new firefighting foam without PFAS, the chief said.
“As we say around here, it isn’t about feeling like you’re helping people — it’s about actually helping people. And that’s what today is about.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
Referencing city investments in public safety, including the city’s 2025 budget with more than twice the new-recruit training allocations compared to the previous year, Mayor J. William Reynolds said:
“As we say around here, it isn’t about feeling like you’re helping people — it’s about actually helping people. And that’s what today is about.”
The 2024 municipal budget included a 2.6% increase in property taxes to allow the hiring of four new paramedics to the city ranks, among other public-safety investments with the new revenue.
