Reading Fire Department
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 just under 85,000.
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 which had been available to assist in transporting those confined to a wheeled chair.
As of January 1, 2016, the department is now a fully career department.
As of February 12th, 2020 the volunteer SCUBA team has been disbanded.
Stations and apparatus
below is a complete list of the stations and apparatus.| Engine Company | Ladder Company | Special Unit | Spare/ Reserve Unit | Chief | Neighborhood |
| Engine 1 | Engine 6 | Center City | |||
| Engine 3 | Ladder 1 | Brush Fire Unit 1 | Engine 8 | Deputy Chief | Central West |
| Engine 5 | Engine 4, Ladder 2 | 18th Ward | |||
| Engine 9 | Ladder 3 | Northeast | |||
| Engine 7 | Brush Fire Unit 2, Foam Trailer, MCI Trailer, Rescue Boat | Engine 10, Car 12 | Northwest | ||
| Tower Ladder 1 | Rescue 1 | Engine 2, Rescue 2 | Platoon Chief | South Central | |
| Medic 1, Medic 2, Medic 3, Medic 4 | Medic 5, Ambulance 6, Medic 7, Medic 8 | Center City |