Bethlehem firefighters struggle with subpar work conditions, survey shows

• Survey results show some Bethlehem firefighters need better work conditions to be the best they can be
• The union vice president says not one of 40 grievances has been addressed by the city
• Earlier this month, a state organization issued a censure regarding the Bethlehem fire chief

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Nearly three months after Bethlehem's firefighters union passed a vote of no-confidence in Chief Warren Achey, rank-and-file members still are looking for a next move from city administration.

And even the chief.

In the meantime, department members are dealing with a plethora of issues, according to International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735 Vice President Lou Jimenez.

Results from an April survey indicate union members are working while struggling with a decline in mental health and an overwhelming atmosphere in the workplace.

In addition, they face alleged retaliation from the city administration and the fire chief and a lack of adequate resources and equipment for safe operations, the survey found.

Bargaining unit members also have reported struggles with the consumption of alcohol and other substances to “numb out” issues in the workplace, according to the survey.

Eighty-one of the 95 current members took part in the survey.

Changes in the works

Following some “candid” meetings with the fire administration and rank-and-file members, city solicitor John Spirk Jr. said he and other city staff are reviewing that information with the intention of making changes.

The city isn’t bound to any particular timeline to make the changes, Spirk said.

Chief Achey did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this article.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds is on paternal leave and efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

The Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, representing thousands of professional first responders statewide, issued a censure document this month regarding Bethlehem's chief and the workplace conditions.

That was only the second censure ever issued by the organization.

Courtesy

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Luis Jimenez

No-confidence vote in June

The June vote of no-confidence revolved around many issues, including poor communication, absent planning and a threatening work environment under the leadership of the current chief.

Jimenez said the vote was just a matter of time, as there have been 40 unaddressed grievances submitted to the city.

Union membership has met monthly since the vote, and Local 735 leadership maintains an open line of communication, he said.

Jimenez said members are frustrated because they say their needs are not being addressed, even after all of the actions taken.

“The question that should be posed is, ‘Does the city really value employees when they voice concerns that affect their safety and well-being?’” Jimenez said.

“Our answer is that is not the case due to the inaction of city administration to address our concerns.”

Jimenez said the department has to undergo a process to handle its grievances, but those procedures can get muddy under the current city administration.

“Not only do we have to deal with the fire chief, but we also have to deal with the business administrator, human resources and then even on into maybe an arbitration hearing for certain ones,” he said.

“Now, mind you, there are things that need to be handled above the level of the fire chief; however, there are some that absolutely could be handled by him and they’re not being handled.”

Doing right by the people

Despite the public’s mixed opinions on public sector unions, Jimenez said the fire department just wants to do right by its people and service area.

“Our goal here is to ensure the safety of the citizens of Bethlehem, the people we serve and also for our safety — not only physically, but mentally,” Jimenez said.

“We have to properly take care of each other in order for us to properly take care of everybody else.

“We’re all in this together.”

Jimenez said the department is budgeted to handle 104 members.

He said that at the last city budget hearing, the department was short seven firefighters. And in the next two weeks, two more will retire, and more will follow suit over the next year.

Jimenez said grants are available to assist the city in hiring more firefighters, and city officials are aware of them but reluctant to pursue them.

“Day-to-day operations are impacted as staffing levels are not constant, members having to work overtime shifts to keep essential fire units in service,” he said.

“This practice not only increases wage spending by the city but leads to a major morale issue: employee burnout.”

Establishing relationships

Jimenez, a 13-year member of the department, said he's aware that department chiefs may not always be present in the midst of day-to-day action.

But he said it would benefit the firefighters to see their chief on occasion to establish some sort of relationship.

“Normally, fire chiefs would come in once in a while and just see how their people are doing,” Jimenez said.

“And not only does it give them a good feel of how we’re doing, but it also boosts [the] morale of people just to know that there’s a leader that cares about them."

He said there are several “highly competent and qualified personnel among the ranks” of the department that would be fit to take over as chief.