The Northampton Fire Department, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive, held its first breakfast of the new year Jan. 11.

The fire department of about 45 volunteer firefighters and fire police, under the leadership of Chief Keith Knoblach, hosted the well-attended morning event.

The coordinated effort at the breakfast was a testament to the commitment of the volunteers and their inspiring leadership. Cheerful ticket takers Ruth Miller and a gentleman known only as Bear kept tally of the number of attendees and collected the breakfast cost.

The volunteer servers at the buffet breakfast and the kitchen crew were busy, as they cooked the food and kept the holding trays full.

Angela Knoblach and Austin Wilburn, of Northampton, staffed the juice and refreshments table at the breakfast.

Knoblach and Mark Laub, fire department financial leader, assisted in the kitchen and said they were very happy with the large turnout of hungry attendees.

Northampton Borough Police K-9 Officer Goeff Perry was at the breakfast with K-9 Chico. The sleek, well-cared-for animal did not get a full breakfast, but he did receive a small slice of bacon.

Northampton Fire Police leader and borough Councilman Kenneth Hall was on hand, helping wherever he could.

The breakfast was not only a fire department fundraiser, but also a community-strengthening gathering for residents and volunteers that generated goodwill and social connection among all who attended.

The fire department, with full support of Northampton Borough Council, the mayor and the community, is one of the premier volunteer fire departments in the Lehigh Valley. As a group, the department is publicly supportive of the community. They have a used clothing drop-off shed on the department’s firehouse property.

The fire team robustly supported the borough’s large holiday celebration, by hosting part of the event on its grounds and delivering Santa on a firetruck. The department’s annual Santa Run delivers Christmas gifts to the borough’s children.

They also hold a parade during the annual Community Days event.

The fire department plans additional breakfasts and other fundraisers like its purse bingos, raffles and more throughout 2026.