It is with great sadness and regret we report the passing of Firefighter Mark "Dewey" Kulp. Dewey was hospitalized after contracting Covid-19 on the job, and after multiple days in the hospital he succumbed to complications from the disease. Mark joined with explorer post #290 in 1982 and in 1986 started his volunteer firefighting career with Liberty Fire Company #5 of Reading, PA. During his time at Engine 5, Mark also served as a tender for the Reading Fire Depart...

Our condolences to the family of Retired Firefighter Paul "Gumshoe" LerchFirefighter Lerch was hired in October of 1967 as a driver for the Hampden Fire Company. Lerch, who gained the nickname "Gumshoe" or "Shoes", would eventually be assigned to work on Ambulance 96 in the 1970s after the city closed Engine 10. A short time later, Shoes took an assignment on Ladder 3 with the B platoon. FF Lerch initially worked as the tillerman, before moving to the front-end in 1...

Reading Firefighters once again came to help our neighbors during our annual charity toy-drive campaign. With the pandemic of 2020 causing great difficulties for families across the country, many aspects of life have been disrupted. Locally many people are out of work and are unable to provide for their families at Christmas time. As our annual campaign began we realized that our normal partners would be unable to provide as they have in the past. Miraculously we were able to raise more than $9,...

ORDER#NameCurrent PositionNew PositionEffective Date2020-41Michael SninskyMedic 4 "A" PlatoonActing EMS Deputy Chief11.23.20202020-42Jason Batz Ladder 3 Tiller "D" PlatoonTraining Lieutenant12.1.2020

Congratulations to Firefighter Jason "Spike" Batz on his promotion to Training LieutenantJason was hired by the city on June 18th of 2001. After completing fire training, Batz was assigned as a jumper firefighter on the B platoon. Batz would transfer to the "A" in April of 2011 after working on the "B" for several years. In September of 2014, Spike moved to Engine 9 on the D platoon and worked both positions for more than 5 years. In September of 2019, Batz moved ac...

Congratulations to Paramedic Michael Sninsky on his promotion to Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services. Mike was hired in February of 2006 and assigned to Medic 2 on the B platoon. Sninsky would spend seven years on Medic 2 before transferring to Medic 1 in 2013. A year later, Mike would leave the B platoon and take an assignment to Medic 3 on the C platoon. After five years with the C platoon, Sninsky moved to the A platoon on Medic 4 in 2019. Mike has been assigned as Car 6...

Firefighters recently delivered 285 lbs of food to the Helping Harvest Food Bank of Berks County. Helping Harvest works to feed the hungry by acquiring and distributing food to people in need. Helping Harvest collects, purchases, stores, and distributes over seven million pounds of food annually to the more than 300 programs which feed the hungry in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.

ORDER#NameCurrent PositionNew PositionEffective Date2020-36Wade VanbuskirkJumper "B" PlatoonEngine 3 Driver "B" Platoon10.13.20202020-38Corbin KeiserJumper "C" PlatoonLadder 3 Driver "C" Platoon10.19.20202020-40Lt. Stuart BansnerTraining Lieutenant1st Deputy Chief "D" Platoon11.1.2020

Congratulations to Lieutenant Stuart Bansner on his promotion to 1st Deputy Chief on the "D" Platoon. Chief Bansner was hired on February 1st of 1995. After completing the fire academy, he was assigned to the "A" platoon as a jumper firefighter. After working in various positions for 15 years as a jumper, Stu took an assignment to Tower 1 with the "D" platoon on March 6th, 2010. FF Bansner transferred across the floor to the Rescue on August...

It is with great sadness and regret we report the passing of Firefighter James "Corky" Lerch Jr. Corky lost a battle with cancer only after a few short months surrounded by his family and friends. Jim served as a volunteer firefighter with the Neversink Fire Company in Reading before being hired in June of 2001. After completing fire training he was assigned to the D platoon as a jumper. In February of 2002, FF Lerch was assigned to Engine 5. Jim would move to the A plat...

On the evening of October 27th, the A platoon was treated to a home-cooked dinner in appreciation for the services we provide. The dinner was prepared by Ken and Ruth Biles along with their daughter Kimberly Bolles. Kimberly, who is a 4th-grade teacher at Cumru Elementary, brought thank you cards for our firefighters and paramedics created by her students.  

Deputy Chiefs James Stoudt and Thomas Rehr recently traveled to Hamburg New York to inspect two Emergency One Typhoon Pumpers. The new apparatus features a 1500 GPM pump, 500-gallon water tank, shortened wheelbase, and lowered hose bed. The units were purchased through First Choice Fire Apparatus. Delivery is expected to take place in November. 

Please keep Firefighter James Lerch Jr. and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he battles a serious illness. We wish him a speedy recovery!

After a several month delay due to the pandemic, the 2020 Reading Fire Department Recruit Class officially graduated during a small ceremony held at the Berks County Fire Training Center. After words from Fire Chief William Stoudt Jr, Mayor Eddie Moran, and Academy Staff the recruits were presented with their badges. The class was previously set to graduate during a ceremony in July. Graduation Photos

The Department has recently taken delivery of 3 new Ford Trucks as the first of the new design for officer response vehicles. Two F150's and an F250 were purchased through Maguire Ford and then sent to 911 Rapid Response for outfitting. The trucks provide for a more safe interior by storing PPE in the rear and not inside the passenger compartment. The units are slated for Car 2, Car 600, and the Fire Marshal's Office. 

The two new Emergency One pumpers ordered by the department are nearing completion. The new units will be inspected at the end of the month and should be delivered in early in November. 

Our condolences to the Mogel family on the passing of Retired Fire Chief Russell Mogel. Russ served as the city's 12th Fire Chief from February 20th, 1971 until June 6th of 1983. The family will receive family and friends at 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 10 at Auman Funeral Home, 390 West Neversink Rd, Reiffton PA 19606. Graveside services with full Fire Department and Military Honors, immediately following the viewing on or around 12:00 PM, and will be held directly across the street at...

ORDER#NameCurrent PositionNew PositionEffective Date2020-25David RottmannJumper "A" platoonEngine 1 Driver "A" platoon9.7.20202020-27Bradley ShanamanEngine 5 Driver "D" platoonLadder 1 Driver "D" platoon9.5.20202020-29Robert SchaefferMedic 2 "D" platoonMedic 2 "A" platoon9.23.20202020-30Timothy RowlandsEngine 3 Driver "B" platoonLadder 3 Tiller "C" platoon9.25.20202020-34Frederick KellenbergerLadder 3 Driver "C&...

For the past 90 days several members of the department have been competing in a weight loss contest affectionately named ShredFest. The goal of the contest was to challenge firefighters to lose weight through exercise and healthy nutrition habits. 46 members entered to lose a total of 158.1 lbs collectively. We hope to continue the contest next year to keep our members healthy. Top 5 ShreddersFF Thomas English - 36.8 lbsFF Jesiah Newsome - 25 lbsFF Kenneth Brooke - 20.6 lbsDeputy Chief Ron ...

The Masano Auto Group recently purchased former Engine 14 from a private sale to be displayed in their massive showroom. The 1984 International/Kovatch served from it’s former quarters on Park Avenue, ironically in the same district the dealership is located. The unit is now wired to have its lights activate when shoppers get near close to it.