Bethlehem Fire memorial

The City of Bethlehem Fire Department wishes to honor our local firefighters, who have paid the ultimate price for their dedication to their duty. We wish to commemorate their sacrifices and loss of life by building a Fallen Heroes Memorial in the downtown area. This sculpture and surrounding grounds will serve as a lasting testament to our three confirmed line of duty deaths.

For more information please visit The Fallen Heroes Memorial Website.

A LETTER FROM THE FIRE COMMISSIONER

On behalf of the City of Bethlehem Fire Department (BFD) it is my pleasure to welcome you to our Web page.

The Bethlehem Fire Department takes great pride in being first responders to fires, disasters, hazardous materials incidents and public safety emergencies in the City of Bethlehem. In doing so the Bethlehem Fire department protects the lives and property of the citizens of Bethlehem and it’s many visitors. We recognize that our community is the reason for our existence. We strive to deliver the highest levels of service in an effort to earn the faith and trust of that community.

The Bethlehem Fire Department is lead by Fire Commissioner George Barkanic, who is appointed by the Mayor with the consent of City Council. The Fire Commissioner oversees 113 Firefighters located at five fire stations located throughout the City of Bethlehem. Aside from his many duties is his dedication to ensuring an atmosphere of safety for residents and visitors of the Christmas City.

Deputy Fire Commissioner/Fire Marshal Robert Novatnack heads the Fire Prevention Bureau. The Mayor, with the consent of City Council, also appoints the Deputy Fire Commissioner. The Fire Marshal ‘s work starts after the fire, and continues until causes are found and arsonists are identified. Hours of study, research, witness interrogation, and court time are put into an effort to keep the citizens safe. Five full-time firefighters serve as inspectors and make hundreds of inspections in commercial establishment throughout the year to ensure fire code compliancy. The Fire Prevention Bureau enforces the International Fire Code, which is adopted by city ordinance.

Training and public relations are conducted under the supervision of Training Captain Wayne Bonney. Hazardous Materials training and incident mitigation, is under the supervision of Haz-Mat Captain Richard Zimmerman. Assistant Chief Michael Sankovsky is the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator.

The line firefighters perform fire suppression activities as well as hazardous materials mitigation, river rescue, vehicle entrapments, bomb disposal, and support of EMS.

The Fire Department conducts fire safety programs which include; home inspections, free smoke detector program, station tours, and various adult and children fire prevention programs – including live drills with the Child Fire Safety House, which was purchased by the Burn Prevention Foundation.

George Barkanic
Fire Commissioner