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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[update].[6]
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| City | Reading |
| Agency overview[1][2][3] | |
| Established | March 17, 1773 |
| Annual calls | 30,660 (2019) |
| Employees | 141 (2025) |
| Annual budget | $26,300,000 (2025) |
| Staffing | Career |
| Fire chief | Robert Leonard II |
| IAFF | 1803 |
| Facilities and equipment[4] | |
| Battalions | 1 |
| Stations | 6 |
| Engines | 5 |
| Tillers | 2 |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Rescues | 1 |
| Ambulances | 4 |
| Wildland | 3 |
| Rescue boats | 1 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
History
editThe 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 for wheelchair users.[9]
As of January 1, 2016, the department is now a fully career department.[citation needed]
As of February 12, 2020 the volunteer SCUBA team has been disbanded.
Stations and apparatus
editAs of July 2025[update], below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus. Staffing is only two (2) firefighters per apparatus.[4]
As of January 1st, 2026 staffing is 2 firefighters and 1 lieutenant on all ladder companies. The rescue is staffed by a firefighter a lieutenant. All remaining apparatus is two firefighters.
| Engine Company | Ladder Company | Special Unit | Spare/ Reserve Unit | Chief Unit | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine 1 | Medic 1 | ATV 1, Engine 6 (Reserve) | Center City | ||
| Engine 3 | Ladder 1(Tiller) | Medic 3, Squad 600, Brush 1, Marine 1 | EMS Supervisor | Central West | |
| Engine 5 | Engine 4 (Reserve), 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 | Ladder 2 (reserve), Medic 2, 5, 6, 8 (Reserve), Spare K9 unit, Spare Squad 600 | Northwest | ||
| Tower 1 | Rescue 1 | Rescue 2 (reserve) | 2nd Deputy Chief | South Central |
References
edit- ↑ "Call Statistics". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "2015 City Budget Position Listing". City of Reading PA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ "2015 City Budget Expenditures". City of Reading PA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- 1 2 "Stations & Apparatus". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ "About Us". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ↑ "History". Reading PA Fire. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ "2 Engine Companies Disbanded". Reading PA Fire. March 31, 2011. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ 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.