Reading Fire Department

About Reading Fire Department

For over a century, the Reading Fire Department has stood as a beacon of safety, courage, and unwavering dedication to the residents of Reading, Pennsylvania. Located at 815 Washington Street in the heart of our vibrant city, we are more than just emergency responders – we are your neighbors, your protectors, and your partners in building a safer community for everyone who calls Reading home.

Our Legacy of Service

The Reading Fire Department has deep roots in our community's history, evolving from humble beginnings into a modern, professionally trained fire service organization. Throughout the decades, we have witnessed Reading transform from an industrial powerhouse to the diverse, resilient city it is today, and we have been there every step of the way, adapting our services to meet the changing needs of our community.

Our department represents generations of brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others. Many of our firefighters are second, third, or even fourth-generation members, carrying forward a proud tradition of service that runs deep in Reading's DNA. This legacy drives us to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, training, and community engagement.

Comprehensive Emergency Services

The Reading Fire Department provides a full spectrum of emergency services designed to protect life, property, and the environment. Our highly trained firefighters respond to structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, technical rescues, and countless other situations that require immediate professional intervention.

Fire suppression remains at the core of our mission, but our role has expanded significantly over the years. We are certified emergency medical technicians, trained in advanced life support procedures, and equipped to handle medical emergencies until paramedics arrive. Our department also specializes in technical rescue operations, including high-angle rescue, confined space rescue, and vehicle extrication using state-of-the-art hydraulic tools and equipment.

We maintain a robust hazardous materials response capability, recognizing the industrial nature of our region and the various chemical and environmental threats that can arise. Our team is trained and equipped to handle spills, leaks, and other hazmat incidents while protecting both responders and the public from potentially dangerous exposures.

Modern Equipment and Technology

The Reading Fire Department continuously invests in cutting-edge equipment and technology to ensure we can respond effectively to any emergency. Our fleet includes modern fire engines, ladder trucks, rescue vehicles, and specialized apparatus designed for specific types of emergencies. Each piece of equipment is meticulously maintained and regularly updated to meet current safety standards and operational requirements.

Our firefighters utilize advanced breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, and sophisticated communication systems that allow us to coordinate seamlessly with other emergency services throughout Berks County. We employ computer-aided dispatch systems that ensure the fastest possible response times and optimal resource allocation for every call we receive.

The department maintains multiple fire stations strategically positioned throughout Reading to minimize response times and ensure comprehensive coverage of our service area. Each station is equipped with backup power systems, communication networks, and living facilities that allow our personnel to maintain constant readiness for emergency response.

Training and Professional Development

Excellence in emergency response requires continuous training and professional development. The Reading Fire Department is committed to providing our personnel with the most comprehensive and up-to-date training available. Our firefighters regularly participate in live fire training exercises, technical rescue scenarios, and medical emergency simulations that prepare them for real-world situations.

We maintain partnerships with regional training centers, state fire academies, and national organizations to ensure our personnel have access to the latest techniques, technologies, and best practices in fire service. Our training programs cover everything from basic firefighting techniques to advanced incident command procedures, ensuring every member of our team is prepared to lead when circumstances demand.

The department also emphasizes ongoing education in areas such as building construction, fire prevention, public education, and community risk reduction. This comprehensive approach to training ensures that our firefighters are not only skilled emergency responders but also knowledgeable advocates for fire safety and prevention in our community.

Community Engagement and Fire Prevention

While emergency response is our primary function, the Reading Fire Department believes strongly in proactive community engagement and fire prevention education. We regularly visit schools, community centers, and neighborhood organizations to provide fire safety education, demonstrate proper use of fire extinguishers, and teach families how to develop and practice home escape plans.

Our fire prevention division conducts inspections of commercial and residential properties, working with property owners to identify and address potential fire hazards before they can cause harm. We provide consultation services for new construction projects, ensuring that buildings are designed and constructed with appropriate fire safety systems and egress routes.

Throughout the year, we participate in community events, safety fairs, and public demonstrations that allow residents to interact with our personnel and equipment. These events help build trust and understanding between the fire department and the community we serve, while also providing valuable opportunities to share important safety information.

Mutual Aid and Regional Cooperation

The Reading Fire Department recognizes that effective emergency response often requires coordination and cooperation with neighboring fire departments and emergency services. We maintain mutual aid agreements with departments throughout Berks County, ensuring that additional resources can be quickly deployed when major incidents exceed our local capabilities.

Our personnel regularly train with regional partners, participate in joint exercises, and coordinate response procedures to ensure seamless integration during multi-agency incidents. This collaborative approach strengthens the overall emergency response capability of our entire region while fostering professional relationships that enhance public safety.

Contact and Response

Located at 815 Washington Street, the Reading Fire Department maintains 24-hour staffing to ensure immediate response to emergency calls. Residents can reach us at +1 610-655-6080 for non-emergency inquiries, questions about fire safety, or to request information about our community programs and services.

For all fire, medical, and emergency situations, residents should always dial 911 to ensure the fastest possible response. Our dispatch center will immediately alert the appropriate personnel and equipment needed to handle your specific emergency.

Our Commitment to Reading

The Reading Fire Department is more than an emergency service organization – we are an integral part of the Reading community. Our firefighters live in the neighborhoods we protect, shop in the businesses we safeguard, and send their children to the schools where we provide safety education. This personal connection to our community drives our commitment to excellence and motivates us to continuously improve our capabilities and services.

We are honored to serve the residents of Reading and grateful for the trust you place in us every day. Whether responding to a middle-of-the-night house fire, providing medical assistance to a neighbor in need, or teaching fire safety to local school children, we approach every interaction with professionalism, compassion, and dedication to our mission of protecting life and property.

The Reading Fire Department stands ready to respond, ready to serve, and ready to protect our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are your Reading Fire Department, and we are proud to serve you.