Reading Fire Department

Reading Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
CityReading
Agency overview
EstablishedMarch 17, 1773 (1773-03-17)
Annual calls30,660 (2019)
Employees141 (2025)
Annual budget$26,300,000 (2025)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefRobert Leonard II
IAFF1803
Facilities and equipment
Battalions1
Stations6
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. 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.

History

The Reading Fire Department was formed on March 17, 1773, as a volunteer fire department known as the Rainbow Volunteer Fire Company. 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. Starting June 30, 2015 the city will also be disbanding its non-emergency transport division for wheelchair users.

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

As of July 2025, below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus. Staffing is only two (2) firefighters per apparatus.

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 1Medic 1ATV 1, Engine 6 (Reserve)Center City
Engine 3Ladder 1(Tiller)Medic 3, Squad 600, Brush 1, Marine 1EMS SupervisorCentral West
Engine 5Engine 4 (Reserve), Tower 2 (reserve)Deputy Chief EMS18th Ward
Engine 9Ladder 3(Tiller)Medic 9Engine 10 (reserve)1st Deputy ChiefNortheast
Engine 7Medic 7, Brush 2Ladder 2 (reserve), Medic 2, 5, 6, 8 (Reserve), Spare K9 unit, Spare Squad 600Northwest
Tower 1Rescue 1Rescue 2 (reserve)2nd Deputy ChiefSouth 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. 1 2 "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.