The Reading Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Reading, Pennsylvania. The department is responsible for approximately with a population of 94,000 .
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.
As of February 12, 2020 the volunteer SCUBA team has been disbanded.
Stations and apparatus , 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 UnitSpare/ 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
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