Reading Fire Department

Reading Fire Department
Operational area
Country  United States
State  Pennsylvania
City Reading
Agency overview[1][2][3]
Established March 17, 1773 (1773-03-17)
Employees 135 (2017)
Annual budget $18,270,556 (2017)
Staffing 2 Firefighters
Fire chief William Stoudt
IAFF 1803
Facilities and equipment[4]
Stations 7
Engines 5
Tillers 2
Platforms 1
Rescues 1
Ambulances 4
Wildland 1
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.[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 Engines 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]

As of January 1, 2016, the department is now a fully career department.

Stations and apparatus

As of June 2015 below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus.[4]

Engine Company Ladder Company Special Unit Spare/ Reserve Unit Chief Neighborhood
Engine 1Engine 6Center City
Engine 3Ladder 1Engine 8Deputy Chief 1Central West
Engine 5Engine 4,18th Ward
Engine 9Ladder 3Engine 2,Ladder 2Northeast
Engine 7Brush 2, Foam Trailer, MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Trailer, Rescue BoatEngine 12,Northwest
Tower Ladder 1Rescue 1Rescue 2Platoon Chief 1South Central
Medic 1, Medic 2, Medic 3, Medic 4Medic 5, Medic 8Center City

References

  1. ↑ "Call Statistics". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "2015 City Budget Position Listing". City of Reading PA. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "2015 City Budget Expenditures". City of Reading PA. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Stations & Apparatus". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "About Us". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  7. ↑ "History". Reading PA Fire. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Kahl, Jason (15 May 2012). "Reading Scuba Rescue Team: Going below and beyond the call". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "2 Engine Companies Disbanded". Reading PA Fire. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  10. ↑ 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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