After fire at residence, Pa. governor calls for increased funding, resources for firefighters

By Lindsay Weber
The Morning Call

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Less than a week after a destructive arson at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence that threatened Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family’s lives, Shapiro made the case Friday for additional funding for the state’s firefighters.

Standing inside Bethlehem Memorial Fire Station, Shapiro said he and his wife, Lori, are “unbelievably bolstered and strengthened” by the outpouring of support following the fire, which caused no injuries but “substantial damage” to the governor’s 29,000-square-foot mansion last Sunday, hours after a Passover gathering. A suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, is in custody.

“I’ve always known the greatness and the bravery of firefighters. A few days ago, my family and I witnessed that firsthand as we were forced out of the governor’s residence at 2 o’clock in the morning as firefighters rushed in,” Shapiro said. “We should think about that for a moment as we were fleeing to safety, the firefighters were rushing into danger. It’s something I’ve always appreciated about our firefighters across Pennsylvania.”

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But, he urged people not just to keep his family in their thoughts, but to call their legislators and urge them to support his upcoming 2026 fiscal year budget that makes additional investments in local fire departments.

Shapiro’s “three-part plan” to address unmet needs in municipal fire departments include the following:

• Establishing a $30 million competitive grant program which departments can apply to for equipment upgrades and money to help hire and retain firefighters
• Establishing a pilot “cooperative service model” to help municipal fire companies collaborate and share resources
• Fully funding comprehensive annual cancer screenings for firefighters

The new competitive grant program is in addition to a $30 million boost to municipal fire departments included in the budget passed last year.

According to Bethlehem Fire Chief Michael Reich, a $130,000 grant from the state last year allowed the department to buy new equipment like a training mannequin, bomb suit and firefighting foam that does not contain cancer-causing chemicals. A $4 million city investment also allowed Bethlehem to purchase three new ambulances, three new fire engines and five other support vehicles.

Any additional funding from the state’s budget could go toward further equipment upgrades that cannot be covered by city funds, Reich said.

He also lauded Shapiro’s proposal to invest in cancer screenings — firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer because they are regularly exposed to smoke and other cancer-causing chemicals, according to the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network .
While the Bethlehem Fire Department already requires an annual physical that includes a cancer screening, Shapiro’s proposal would invest in a more comprehensive way to detect cancers early, allowing doctors to intervene more quickly.

“It’s a test that goes above and beyond what the city does already,” Reich said.

State Sen Lisa Boscola, touting an honorary fire helmet that Bethlehem firefighters gifted her more than a decade ago, said she thought next year’s budget would pass without a hitch with bipartisan support.

“This is all about helping our firefighters and the budget that we’re going to pass, I think this one’s a no-brainer,” Boscola said. “I don’t think we’re going to have any argument about this one.”

In addition to the well wishes of elected officials and firefighters at Friday’s event, Shapiro also walked away with a gift from Gabrielle Perreault, daughter of Allentown firefighter Adam Perreault. Following Shapiro’s remarks, she handed him a care package of polished stones that have inspirational messages carved onto them.

Her father said that Shapiro sent her a video wishing her well during her recovery from a kidney transplant last year, and she wanted to return the favor when she learned of the arson at his home.

“When I was in the hospital suffering from kidney disease, what helped me the most was my family and God, and I just wanted to give him something,” Gabriella Perreault said.

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