Hazleton City Firefighters IAFF Local 507

05/02/2026

Please join us in congratulating Brian Mandak on his well-earned retirement from the Hazleton Fire Department.

Brian began his career as Badge #83 and rose through the ranks to retire as Chief 3, a testament to his dedication, leadership, and commitment to the City of Hazleton. Over the years, he has played a vital role in protecting the community, mentoring firefighters, and helping shape the department into what it is today.

His career reflects countless hours of service, sacrifice, and professionalism, qualities that have left a lasting impact on both the department and the city he served.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Mandak, for your years of service. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

04/29/2026

Hazleton City Firefighters IAFF Local 507 extends its deepest condolences to the Crawford family, as well as to our brothers and sisters of Wilkes-Barre City Firefighters IAFF Local 104.

04/22/2026

Congratulations, Brother McNeal!

As of 7:00 AM this morning, you officially begin a well-earned chapter—four days off and a lifetime ahead filled with family, fishing, hunting, and jumping the dogs.

For 26 years, you gave your time and dedication in selfless service to the City of Hazleton. That kind of commitment doesn’t go unnoticed.

Wishing you nothing but the best in retirement—enjoy every minute. You’ve more than earned it, Brother.

04/15/2026

Now Hiring – Hazleton Fire Department

The Hazleton Fire Department is actively seeking dedicated, motivated, and community-oriented individuals to join our team of professional firefighters. This is an opportunity to serve your community, build a rewarding career, and be part of a brotherhood committed to protecting lives and property.

We are looking for quality candidates who demonstrate integrity, strong work ethic, and a willingness to train and perform in high-pressure situations. Firefighting is more than a job—it’s a calling that requires commitment, teamwork, and pride in serving others.

Who Can Apply:

Individuals who meet the minimum hiring requirements
Candidates with a strong desire to serve their community
High school seniors are encouraged to apply and begin the process of starting a career in the fire service

Whether you are just beginning your career or looking to make a difference in your community, the Hazleton Fire Department offers a path to meaningful and impactful work.

For more information on qualifications, application requirements, and deadlines please visit:

https://hazletoncity.org/images/2026_Fire_Civil_Service_Complete_Application_Packet.pdf

03/16/2026

Today our On-duty crew comprised of C-3 and L507 Group 1 along with 3 volunteer ff’s went through some training drills with the new Holmatro Pentheon series rescue tools that will be going in service in the near future.

02/21/2026

FILL THE BOOT FOR BOBBY EVENT AT PINTS AND PIES IN WILSON

Earlier today, while operating at a multiple alarm fire in the City of Easton, Wilson Borough Local 1914 President Lt. Bobby Lewullis sustained injuries and is currently hospitalized. In addition to serving his community and Local he served our country honorably in the United States Marine Corps.

A “Fill the Boot for Bobby” event is being hosted on Saturday, February 27, 2026, from 1100–2000 hours at Pints & Pies, located at 2049 Northampton Street, Wilson, PA 18042. Pints & Pies has generously committed to donating 20% of the day’s sales to support Bobby and his family. In addition, the boot will be passed throughout the event to raise additional funds.

If you are able, please consider stopping by, bringing your family, and show your support for Brother Lewullis.

01/14/2026

Hazleton City Firefighters IAFF Local 507 would like to thank IAFF President Edward A. Kelly for his continued support in helping share the staffing challenges facing our department.

HAZLETON - The city and its firefighters union have been engaged in a public dispute over staffing concerns in our area's only paid fire department. The Hazleton Fire Department is a combined paid-volunteer department which Mayor Jeff Cusat says is staffed by four platoons each of five paid firefigh...

01/05/2026

Hazleton Firefighters IAFF Local 507 Statement Regarding Recent Press Release

Hazleton Firefighters IAFF Local 507 would like to address a recent press release issued by Mayor Cusat's Office, as it contains multiple inaccuracies and misrepresentations that require clarification. At no time has any member of IAFF Local 507 made misleading statements regarding staffing or operations within the Hazleton Fire Department.

As correctly stated in the press release, the contractual number of career firefighters is 20, with a minimum of three and a maximum of five firefighters working per shift. However, this staffing model no longer reflects the operational realities of today’s fire service. Volunteer participation has significantly declined over the years, placing career firefighters, volunteers, and the general public in an increasingly unsafe position.

Contrary to statements made in the press release, the first time IAFF Local 507 formally raised staffing concerns with City Hall and the Mayor’s Office was not December 5, 2025, but April 23, 2025, during a meeting held at City Hall at 1:30 p.m. This meeting occurred as a result of a grievance being filed after minimum staffing requirements were not followed and a firefighter was injured while responding to a fire alarm. Additionally, a news article published in the Standard-Speaker on April 5, 2025, publicly discussed the need for increased staffing in the future.

The press release also states that career firefighters are responsible for getting apparatus to the scene and are then met by additional career firefighters, volunteers, and the chief. While career firefighters do staff and drive the apparatus, the reality is that no additional career firefighters respond to incidents unless they are formally recalled back to work. Furthermore, many emergency incidents occur where no volunteers respond at all. In these situations, the three to five on-duty firefighters—along with the officer in charge—are responsible for all fireground operations until additional resources arrive, if they arrive at all.

If career firefighters were limited to simply transporting apparatus to emergency scenes, there would be little to no fireground operations occurring for extended periods of time on many incidents. This is the operational reality our members face daily.

IAFF Local 507 has also seen recent public discussion regarding the possible addition of part-time staff. To date, the union has not been formally notified or invited to discuss this proposal in any meeting. While it has been stated that these part-time positions would be offered to city volunteers, the underlying issue remains: there are very few active volunteers currently available within the City of Hazleton to fill such roles. Additionally, part-time staffing represents a temporary measure and does not address the larger, long-term staffing challenges facing the department.

While IAFF Local 507 remains open to all solutions that improve public safety, any staffing plan must comply with Pennsylvania law, recognized firefighter training and safety standards, and all collective bargaining requirements.

Recent media coverage has created the false perception that the union and volunteer firefighters are in opposition. IAFF Local 507 wishes to be clear: we have no issues with the volunteer fire companies within the City of Hazleton. Our advocacy is solely focused on achieving a safer fire department for career firefighters, volunteers, residents, visitors, and commuters alike.

There remain many unanswered questions moving forward. What is not in question is the safety of firefighters and the residents of Hazleton, which continues to be compromised by dangerously low staffing levels. IAFF Local 507 will continue to advocate for solutions that prioritize safety, accountability, and effective emergency response for the community we proudly serve.

International Association of Fire Fighters
Edward A. Kelly
IAFF 4th District Vice President Andrew Pantelis
Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters

01/03/2026

Yesterday at approximately 1545 hours, the Hazleton Fire Department was dispatched to a high-rise apartment building on Pine Street for a reported commercial fire alarm. Shortly after units went en route—Rescue 3 (staffed with two firefighters), Engine 2 (one firefighter), Tower 1 (one firefighter), and Chief 3—county communications advised of a second call reporting smoke coming from the third floor. The incident was upgraded to a commercial structure fire, and second and third alarms were placed on standby.

Upon arrival, crews encountered a nine-story high-rise with nothing showing from the exterior. Firefighters made their way to the third floor, where they encountered heavy smoke conditions in the hallway. Crews located the source in an apartment, where car parts were found smoldering on a stove. Ladder 1, staffed with one firefighter, was back-staffed and added to the box to provide additional ventilation fans. Firefighters checked for fire extension, ventilated the building, and operated on scene for approximately 30 minutes.

In total, this incident was handled by five career firefighters, two career deputy chiefs, four volunteer firefighters (three without firefighting gear and one properly equipped), and two fire police.

Later that evening, the Hazleton Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of West Broad and James Street for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Rescue 3 (one firefighter), Engine 2 (two firefighters due to a probationary firefighter being in training), and Chief 3 responded and arrived to find two occupants confined within a vehicle. Tower 1 (one firefighter) was added to the assignment. Within approximately 10 minutes, crews successfully extricated both patients and transferred them to EMS care. This incident involved four career firefighters, one deputy chief, one volunteer firefighter in full gear, and two fire police.

These incidents once again highlight the critical need for safer staffing in the City of Hazleton. High-risk emergencies—such as high-rise fires and vehicle entrapments—require adequate staffing to allow tasks to be completed simultaneously, safely, and efficiently. When staffing is limited, firefighters are forced to take on multiple roles at once, increasing risk to both responders and the public. Safer staffing is not a luxury; it is essential to ensuring faster response times, safer operations, and better outcomes for the residents, visitors, and firefighters who serve the City of Hazleton.