Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baldwin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in public safety with high priority
Tri-community fire services regionalization
Baldwin, Brentwood, and Whitehall are deep into a joint fire services study, with manager interviews underway and substantial findings expected by March or April.
Volunteer fire department funding and stipend program
Baldwin EMS has only 22.14% subscription participation, and the fire company's call volume is heading toward 1,000 for the year. Council asked for a combined revenue-and-expense report before the mid-year budget review, noting borough contributions have grown from $173,000 in 2018 to $687,000 in 2026.
Rescue from Penn Street-area house fire
Firefighters, police, and EMS rescued a woman trapped on the second floor of a burning Baldwin home on Monday. Officials credited the borough's fire stipend staffing program for the fast response.
Repeat vehicle break-ins and firearm theft on Penn Street
Resident George Hunt says a masked suspect has hit his Penn Street neighborhood four times since September, stealing a gun and cash from cars, and says police haven't followed up. The chief says the cases are active and will arrange a detective call.
Tri-Community Fire Study
A firefighter questionnaire goes live March 2 for the tri-community fire services study, and the state flagged two compliance issues with the firefighters' relief association — mostly slow check deposits and an old restitution matter.
Failed Emergency Generator at Municipal Building
The municipal building's backup generator no longer works — and it barely powered anything anyway. Without power, police can't process arrests because their computers run off the borough network. Officials applied for a grant through the state senator's office to replace it with a diesel unit that powers the whole building.
Rising fire call volume and annual fund drive
Baldwin Fire Rescue is on pace for over 1,000 calls this year versus roughly 750 in 2025, and its annual fund drive starts this month — volunteer resources are being stretched.
EMS ambulances and state licensure
Baldwin EMS gets two new ambulances going into service after an August 30 dedication, and faces its every-three-years state licensure review August 19. Response times ran 7.1 minutes in July.
Encampment clearing policy on borough property
Council adopted guidelines for clearing tents and encampments occupied by unhoused individuals on borough property. It sets the ground rules for how the borough handles these situations going forward.
GAP Trail Encampments
Police have confirmed squatter encampments on the GAP Trail but currently lack legal authority to remove them. Solicitor Wagner will draft a resolution creating a removal protocol for next week's vote.
Emergency services capacity and costs
Baldwin EMS goes live with blood products in the field on February 23 — a capability only about 1% of the nation's 11,000 EMS agencies have. It could be lifesaving for trauma, severe bleeding, and obstetric emergencies.