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Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Bethlehem Township Swears In a New Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighter John Halleman IV
At a time in which it's getting increasingly more difficult to find volunteers, Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Co. has added a new firefighter to its rolls. At the August 6 Commissioners' meeting, the first thing president Paul Weiss did was administer the oath to John Halleman IV, age 32.

A 1997 Notre Dame High School graduate, Halleman's interest in firefighting was sparked by a distant relative. He and his wife, April, have been married a year and have just moved into the Township.

First formed by Civil Defense wardens in 1946, Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company expanded last year with a new wing for a fleet that includes two pumpers, six advanced life support ambulances and a Medic 1 truck.

But with the expansion, there's some parking problems along the south side of Hamilton Street. Vehicles parked along that street, between Cypress and 8th Streets, are making it difficult to get equipment in and out of the bays. "It creates a safety issued, Township manager Howard Kutzler told Commissioners.

So in addition to swearing in a new volunteer, Commissioners unanimously agreed to advertise a new ordinance that will ban parking along that portion of Hamilton Street.
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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    I can't believe a township this size and with its population does not have a REAL paid full time fire fighting force. This was ok back in the 60s when Bethlehem township was in the boonies but now with its tax base and its amount of industrial parks, etc they should have a full time force.

    What do these clowns spend all their tax revenue on anyway? Oh yeah I forgot, build a taj mahal rec center and police station county building and make stupid deals with crooks for their lights etc...

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    And don't forget the malls and the new hospital complex, can't wait till a "real" problem arrises and they don't have the "Volunteers" to man the trucks to put it out. This is a tragedy awaiting to happen

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  3. Bernie O'HareAugust 7, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I would suggest that you come to the next comm'r meeting and voice those concerns. My suspicion is that the cost would probably double your tax bill, but I'm no expert. So far as I know, the volunteer fire companies do an excellent job, and they are unpaid. During last year's hurricanes, their work was appreciated by many stranded residents.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Bernie, you are right they do a stellar job, I do however agree in principle that the township should be a more active participant in the safety of their own population. I am amazed that we still get volunteers for these stations. Bethlehem Township is no longer a small municipality, and I do believe that they have watched their tax base grow by leaps and bounds in the last 25 years. Maybe they should have a plan in place for the very safety of the people they are elected to serve, instead of worrying about making someone rich with a one hauler trash system

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  5. PyromaniacAugust 7, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    OH s**t - another boy who likes to play with matches

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Looks like the owner of allentowns king firerestoration team has another subcontractor working for him, job security in these trying times.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bernie O'HareAugust 7, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    Can you please explain what you are suggesting? Instead of casting aspersions on someone anonymously, can't any of you anonymous assholes just be graeful to someone who is willing to volunteer his own time to stick his neck out for your own damn children?

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  8. AnonymousAugust 8, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Wondering when Palmer, Forks, Lower Saucon, Whitehall, South Whitehall, Lower and Upper Macungies are going to a full time fire department? Would you seriously think Bethlehem Township would make that leap when other similar Townships are not?

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  9. Bernie O'HareAugust 8, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    I suppose the day is coming. It's a lot of training, no remuneration, and instead of getting thanks, there are anonymous attacks on their character.It's a shame that such good people, who sacrifice so much time, are vilified.

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  10. AnonymousAugust 8, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    No one vilified the fire fighter here, he is a great person, I think they vilified the system that is relying on volunteers to do their job. That is all

    ReplyDelete
  11. LighthouseAugust 8, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    BT has certainly been blessed with two Volunteer Fire Companies, one of which operates a paid EMT service.

    I believe the Police are the largest single part of the Township's budget. Imagine doubling that, and its impact on taxes? Again, Twp is blessed as long as it is still viable. At some point, VFC's may not be, but for now it still works, with Twp tax monies helping offset some expenses and purchasing many of the trucks and ambulances.

    THANK YOU volunteers for all of your service of time and talents!

    ReplyDelete
  12. LighthouseAugust 8, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bernie O'HareAugust 8, 2012 at 9:51 PM

    Excuse me? Look at the comments at 7:19 and at 8:32. And there were several more I had to delete. So yes, he was vilified, anonymously, simply bc he has volunteered to save lives.

    ReplyDelete

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