The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program (CFDA 97.044), awarded the City of Bethlehem $109,200 on September 27, 2025, to enhance fire and emergency response capabilities. The award, with a completion date of September 26, 2027, supports fire department operations and emergency personnel readiness in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The AFG program provides funding to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, outfit responders with compliant personal protective equipment, retrofit facilities to protect personnel from health hazards, acquire emergency response vehicles, and design health and wellness programs for firefighters.
As a local government entity with established experience managing federal fire and emergency response programs, the City of Bethlehem will execute this project grant to strengthen public safety infrastructure and emergency response operations within its jurisdiction. The funding aligns with FEMA's broader objective to enhance the safety of both the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.