Reading Fire Department

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)
Employees138 (2025)
Annual budget$26,300,000 (2025)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefJames Stoudt Jr.
IAFF1803
Facilities and equipment[4]
Battalions1
Stations7
Engines5
Tillers2
Platforms1
Rescues1
Ambulances4
Wildland3
Rescue boats1
Website
Official website

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 94,000 as of the 2024 United States Census Bureau estimate.[6]

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 July 2025, 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 1 Medic 1 ATV 1, spare ambulance Center City
Engine 3 Ladder 1(Tiller) Medic 1, Squad 600, Brush 1, Marine 1 EMS Supervisor Central West
Engine 5 Engine 4, Tower 2 (reserve) Deputy Chief EMS 18th Ward
Engine 9 Ladder 3(Tiller) Medic 9 Engine 10 (reserve) 1st Deputy Chief Northeast
Engine 7 Medic 7, Brush 2 Engine 6, Ladder 2 (reserve), spare ambulance Northwest
Tower 1 Rescue 1 Rescue 2 (reserve) 2nd Deputy Chief South Central

References

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