Bethlehem Fire Chief Michael Reich will retire July 3 after more than two decades of service to the city. This marks the department’s third leadership change within the last year and a half.

Reich, who succeeded Chief Warren Achey in 2024, led the department through a period of transition and growth. His retirement comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen the city’s fire services, including creating a second fire academy to expedite firefighter training and deployment.

Mayor J. William Reynolds praised Reich’s leadership, calling his contributions invaluable.

“We think he has done just a fantastic job,” Reynolds said. “We are sad to see him go, but also incredibly appreciative and grateful for over two decades of service — especially over the past year, really doing a lot. Whether it was creating a second fire academy so we were able to send more firefighters on the line. I can’t say thank you enough to the fantastic job Chief Reich has done.”

Capt. Matthew Griffin, a 19-year department veteran, has been nominated to succeed Reich after a unanimous vote from the city council. Griffin expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reflected on his long-standing connection to the department and its outgoing chief.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity being a firefighter in the city of Bethlehem has provided myself and my family,” Griffin said. “I consider myself very fortunate to be a member of this organization and very proud and honored to stand before you today being nominated as the next fire chief of the city.”

Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree in fire investigation with a criminal justice minor from the University of New Haven. He is a state-certified fire instructor, investigator, inspector, and emergency management coordinator.

He also credited Reich as a mentor and role model throughout his career.

“I would like to congratulate Chief Reich on his retirement. Chief Reich has been a great mentor over the last 20 years,” he said. “I worked with the chief on my very first shift in the fire department, and I’m very sorry to see him go. He has done amazing things for this department in the short time he has been chief, and I hope to be able to be the person who carries on that legacy.”

Reich’s departure follows the retirement of former Fire Chief Warren Achey in mid-2023. Assistant Chief Jay Kutz briefly served in an acting capacity before Reich was appointed. The rapid succession of leadership changes has come during departmental restructuring and increasing demand for emergency services across the city.

Griffin will officially assume the role of fire chief July 4.

Contributed article