On Wednesday evening, crews responded to a shed fire on Howard Street. Crews extinguished the fire, possibly caused by a torch used for burning nearby weeds. While this incident was minor, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of using weed torches near structures.

Summer is in full swing! We hope you all had a safe and happy Independence Day weekend! Here is a look at our run numbers for the month of June.

Our crews have been busy the past few weeks conducting annual hose testing. Each year, all fire hoses are tested to assure that they are reliable and will not fail when being used during fire suppression.

Under a patriotic backdrop, one of our newest firefighters works the controls of Ladder 1’s aerial while participating in the cone drill. The cone drill teaches the operator depth perception, accuracy and how to smoothly operate the aerial.

The past few evenings have featured some risks for severe weather! Although Reading has been mostly spared, crews on Tuesday night did respond to a large tree that fell onto power lines on Timberneck Dr. Ladder 1 assisted RMLD after they removed the tree from the lines.

What a summer! The past few weeks have reminded all of us how important hydration is! Representatives from serve pro helped make that possible for us by donating and delivering 27 cases of water on Tuesday. This water will be used for rehab during incidents and training.

With this stretch of great summer weather, FD Fridays continued for the Coolidge Summer Campers! This week group 1 visited and once again, brought relief to the heat! We’re not sure who was laughing and smiling more, the campers or our crews!

Introducing our newest Firefighter-Paramedic! FFOP Fox joins the Reading Fire Department with previous experience from the Biddeford Maine Fire Department. FFOP Fox will attend the Mass Fire Academy in the Fall. Join us in welcoming FFOP Fox to the Reading Fire Department.

Crews have been taking advantage of the great weather to conduct training with our newer firefighters. Recently crews from group 4 reviewed elevated master stream operations.

During his in house training, crews worked with FFOP Fox to familiarize and train with our hydraulic rescue tools. These tools, also known as the jaws of life are used to extricate victims trapped in a motor vehicle crash.

It always feels like the summer passes by in the blink of an eye! Take a look at our run activity from July 2024.

Just after 6pm yesterday, multiple calls were received for a motor vehicle crash with vehicle fire on 95 south. Crews arrived to find a 2 car crash and 1 vehicle was on fire. Crews attacked the fire, while other companies checked for injuries. There were no injuries at the scene.

Yesterday morning, Ladder 1 participated in vehicle day at the Library! The crew enjoyed meeting the families and answering questions about the apparatus.

Join us in welcoming our newest Firefighter-Paramedic! FFOP Kevin Connerty is a 3rd generation Firefighter with family in the Burlington and Cambridge Fire Departments. FFOP Connerty will be attending the Mass Fire Academy at the beginning of September.

Yesterday FFOPs Fox and Connerty were sworn in as Firefighters by the assistant town clerk. Both Fox and Connerty have completed some in house training and will be attending the Mass Fire Academy starting in September.

Crews are currently on scene of a facade collapse on Lowell Street. There are no injuries at the scene and the building department has been notified.

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Paul Dalton on his promotion to Captain. Captain Dalton will be assigned as Group 3 Shift Commander. We wish him luck in his new position!

In addition to the T shirt fundraiser. Reading Firefighters Local 1640 will be hosting a Cancer Fundraiser Benefit at Hopothecary Brewery and Kitchen in North Reading on October 25 starting at 3pm. See the link for more details! eventbrite.com/e/reading-fire…