Reading Fire Department

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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 chiefJames Stoudt Jr.
IAFF1803
Facilities and equipment[4]
Battalions1
Stations7
Engines5
Tillers2
Platforms1
Rescues1
Ambulances4
Wildland1
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 just under 100,000 as of the 2020 United States Census Bureau estimate.[6]

History[edit]

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.[citation needed]

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

Stations and apparatus[edit]

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 1 Engine 6 Center City
Engine 3 Ladder 1(Tiller) Brush 1 Engine 4 1st Deputy Chief Central West
Engine 5 Engine 8, Ladder 2(Tiller) 18th Ward
Engine 9 Ladder 3(Tiller) Northeast
Engine 7 Foam Trailer, MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Trailer, Rescue Boat(Zodiac) Engine 10 Northwest
Tower Ladder 1 Rescue 1 Engine 2 2nd Deputy Chief South Central
Medic 1, Medic 2, Medic 3, Medic 4 Medic 5, Medic 6, Medic 7, Medic 8 Center City

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b "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.