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A Community Conversation: Sounding the Alarm
August 27 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Firefighters are answering more calls than ever before, but many departments are struggling to answer the call themselves. Across the Lehigh Valley, career and volunteer fire companies face staffing shortages, recruitment challenges, increasing emergency demands, and rising costs, all while adapting to new technologies and evolving fire behavior.
Join Community Conversation for an in-depth discussion about the future of fire service in our region. Hear from local fire chiefs, union leaders, volunteer firefighters, and state officials as they discuss what’s putting pressure on fire departments, how they’re working to recruit the next generation of firefighters, and what communities can do to help ensure emergency services remain strong for years to come.
Guests
- Jonathon Steed, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention, Allentown Fire Department
- Henry Hennings, Chief, Easton Fire Department
- Peter Brown, Executive Director, American Red Cross
- Jose Rivera, community engagement coordinator, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Lt. Lou Jimenez, President of Bethlehem Local 735 and Northeast District service representative for the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association
- Raymond Henry, Deputy Chief, East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department
- Peter Christ, Upper Macungie Fire Commissioner – merger
- Jon Hammel, Captain of Public Affairs, Allentown Fire Department
- Lt. Jeremy Warmkessel, President, Allentown Firefighters IAFF Local 302
About the Event
This program will be broadcast live with opportunity for audience members to ask questions.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Filming begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.