City of Reading
Fire Department - Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric space heaters legal and
are they safe?
How
many smoke detectors should I have and where should they
be placed?
Does the Fire Department
recommend CO (carbon monoxide) detectors?
Should I have a
“Fire Escape Plan” for my family?
What type of extinguishers
and how many are recommended for the home?
How do I become
a paid or volunteer fire-fighter?
Do I need a permit
for a pig roast?
How can I obtain
a copy of a fire incident report? Is there a charge?
Does
the Fire Department fill private swimming pools?
Does
the Fire Department have social halls for private parties?
Do I need a permit
to open a home daycare center?
Is open burning
of trash, wood or other combustibles permitted in the
City?
Are there restrictions
for cooking on an outdoor grill?
How
can I join the City’s ambulance service and what is the
charge?
Will the Fire
Department cover my roof if it begins to leak during a
rain or snow storm?
Are electric
space heaters legal and are they safe?
Yes, they are legal and only safe when instructions are
strictly followed. All portable heaters should be
kept at least 3 feet from any combustible items.
How
many smoke detectors should I have and where should they
be placed?
At least one smoke detector
on every floor (including the basement) and one in every
bedroom.
Does
the Fire Department recommend CO (carbon monoxide) detectors?
Yes, at least one and it should be placed on the first
floor.
Should
I have a “Fire Escape Plan” for my family?
Yes. The plan should include 2 ways out of every
room and every floor. It’s important to have a meeting
place for family members and practice the drill monthly;
more frequently if children live in the home.
Questions or concerns regarding fireworks should be directed
to the Fire Prevention Division at 610-655-6086.
The use of fireworks is highly dangerous and should be
left to a professional.
What
type of extinguishers and how many are recommended for
the home?
A minimum of one 5-pound ABC extinguisher accessible to
the kitchen area. Always keep the fire in front
of you with your back toward the exit.
How
do I become a paid or volunteer fire-fighter?
Career/paid fire-fighters are hired through the Civil
Service process. Specific information can be found
on this web site. Persons interested in becoming
a volunteer fire-fighter should contact the Fire Department
Office at 610-655-6080 and complete the following:
•
Become a member of any of the 14 City fire companies
•
Be cleared by Police
Department criminal background check
•
Complete the Essentials
of Fire-Fighting Course, First Aid/CPR and the Hazardous-Materials
Operations Level
Do
I need a permit for a pig roast?
Yes. The permit is free and can be obtained in the
Fire Department office in City Hall (1st floor,
room 1-41). However, permits will only be issued
to property owners who present proof of ownership.
How
can I obtain a copy of a fire incident report? Is
there a charge?
Copies of fire reports can be obtained in the Fire Department
office in City Hall. There is a charge of $25 per
report, which must be paid prior to receipt of the report.
Does
the Fire Department fill private swimming pools?
Yes, but only an in-ground pool. Owners must first
secure a permit from the Reading Water Authority in City
Hall, in addition to having a meter placed on the hydrant
to monitor the amount of water and the cost of the water.
Does
the Fire Department have social halls for private parties?
No
Do
I need a permit to open a home daycare center?
Yes. Interested parties should first contact the
City’s Zoning Administrator (610-655-6505). If approved
by Zoning, the Fire Department will perform a fee-based
fire safety review.
Is
open burning of trash, wood or other combustibles permitted
in the City?
No
Are
there restrictions for cooking on an outdoor grill?
Yes. Grills must be placed a minimum of 10 feet
from a structure and cannot be located on a fire escape
or path of egress. The smoke generated from the
grill cannot cause a nuisance.
How
can I join the City’s ambulance service and what is the
charge?
Applications are available in the Fire Department Office
in City Hall or the EMS Station at 638
Walnut Stree. The charge is
$35 for an individual and $50 for a household. Memberships
are valid for a 12-month period.
Will
the Fire Department cover my roof if it begins to leak
during a rain or snow storm?
No. The Department will respond if high winds blow
off the roof, or a substantial portion of it. The
on-duty Chief will evaluate the situation and determine
what action, if any, will be taken.
Does
the Fire Department rescue cats from trees?
No. The Fire Department will only respond at the request
of the Humane Society or Animal Rescue League if they
cannot help the animal and only if it is entrapped.
Does
the Fire Department pump water from flooded basements?
Not until the cause of the flooding stops and the water
fails to drain on its own. The Department will respond
during flooding to shut off and secure utilities (furnaces,
heaters and electrical distribution equipment) that are
endangered by rising water.
Will
the Fire Department respond to help me if I lock myself
out of my residence?
Yes. There is no charge for the first time it happens,
but from then on, every time thereafter. The Police
will also respond and you must be able to provide identification
proving that you live there.
