Reading Fire Department
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| City | Reading |
| Agency overview[1][2][3] | |
| Established | March 17, 1773 |
| Employees | 126 (2016) |
| Annual budget | $17,521,285 (2015) |
| Fire chief | William Stoudt |
| IAFF | 1803 |
| Facilities and equipment[4] | |
| Stations | 7 |
| Engines | 5 |
| Tillers | 2 |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Rescues | 1 |
| Ambulances | 4 |
| Wildland | 2 |
| Rescue boats | 1 |
| 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 90,000 as of the 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate[update].[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. The department's volunteer scuba rescue team responds to water emergencies in the Schuylkill River as well as other bodies of water within the city and neighboring communities.[8]
Beginning in April 2011 Engine's 13 and 14 were disbanded due to budget cuts.[9] 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.[10]
Stations and apparatus
As of June 2015[update] below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus.[4]
| Neighborhood | Engine | Ladder | Special | Command |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center City | Engine 1 | |||
| Central West | Engine 3 | Ladder 1 (Tiller) | Brush 3 | Deputy Chief |
| North East | Engine 9 | Ladder 3 (Tiller) | ||
| North West | Engine 7 | Brush 2, Ambulance 6, Foam Trailer MCI Trailer, Rescue Boat |
||
| South Central | Tower 1 | Rescue 1 | Platoon Chief | |
| 18th Ward | Engine 5 | |||
| Center City | Medic 1, Medic 2, Medic 3, Medic 4 |
References
- ^ "Call Statistics". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "2015 City Budget Position Listing". City of Reading PA. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "2015 City Budget Expenditures". City of Reading PA. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Stations & Apparatus". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "About Us". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ "History". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ Kahl, Jason (15 May 2012). "Reading Scuba Rescue Team: Going below and beyond the call". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "2 Engine Companies Disbanded". Reading PA Fire. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ Spatz, Don (21 April 2015). "Reading to end nonemergency transportation service for people in wheelchairs". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
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