Reading Fire Department

The Reading Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Reading, Pennsylvania.[5] The department is responsible for approximately 10 square miles (26 km2) with a population of just under 100,000 as of the 2020 United States Census Bureau estimate.[6]

Not to be confused with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Reading Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
CityReading
Agency overview[1][2][3]
EstablishedMarch 17, 1773 (1773-03-17)
Annual calls30,660 (2019)
Employees137 (2019)
Annual budget$19,600,000 (2019)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefWilliam Stoudt Jr.
IAFF1803
Facilities and equipment[4]
Battalions1
Stations7
Engines5
Tillers2
Platforms1
Rescues1
Ambulances4
Wildland1
Rescue boats1
Website
Official website

History

The Reading Fire Department was formed on March 17, 1773, as a volunteer fire department known as the Rainbow Volunteer Fire Company.[7] By 1914 the department had grown to include 14 separate volunteer companies. Today, the department operates out of 7 fire stations, including 1 EMS Station.

Beginning in April 2011 Engines 13 and 14 were disbanded due to budget cuts.[8] Starting June 30, 2015 the city will also be disbanding its non-emergency transport division which had been available to assist in transporting those confined to a wheeled chair.[9]

As of January 1, 2016, the department is now a fully career department.

As of February 12, 2020 the volunteer SCUBA team has been disbanded.

Stations and apparatus

As of October 2019, below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus. Staffing is only two (2) firefighters per apparatus.[4]

Engine Company Ladder Company Special Unit Spare/ Reserve Unit Chief Unit Neighborhood
Engine 1Engine 6Center City
Engine 3Ladder 1(Tiller)Brush 1Engine 41st Deputy ChiefCentral West
Engine 5Engine 8, Ladder 2(Tiller)18th Ward
Engine 9Ladder 3(Tiller)Northeast
Engine 7Foam Trailer, MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Trailer, Rescue Boat(Zodiac)Engine 10Northwest
Tower Ladder 1Rescue 1Engine 22nd Deputy ChiefSouth Central
Medic 1, Medic 2, Medic 3, Medic 4Medic 5, Medic 6, Medic 7, Medic 8Center City

References
  1. "Call Statistics". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  2. "2015 City Budget Position Listing". City of Reading PA. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  3. "2015 City Budget Expenditures". City of Reading PA. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  4. "Stations & Apparatus". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  5. "About Us". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  6. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  7. "History". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  8. "2 Engine Companies Disbanded". Reading PA Fire. 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  9. Spatz, Don (21 April 2015). "Reading to end nonemergency transportation service for people in wheelchairs". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
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