Reading Fire Department
Reading, MA · Middlesex County
Reading Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Reading, MA (Middlesex County), with 2 stations and 58 total personnel. The department also provides EMS services. Full equipment, coverage, and staffing data from HIFLD are below.
- 58
- Total personnel
- 2
- Stations
- -
- Fire trucks
- Yes
- EMS service
(35/dept)
of 346 MA depts
staffing density
AFG / SAFER
Department Profile
- Type
- CAREER
- Location
- Reading, MA
- County
- Middlesex County
- FDID
- 17246
FEMA Grant History
| Year | Award | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | EMW-2017-FH-00158 | $581,007.02 |
Source: USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER) USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER)
Staffing vs the Massachusetts average
How Reading Fire Department's personnel count compares to the typical department in Massachusetts. It is larger than 78% of the 346 reporting departments statewide.
- Stations
- 2
- State fire deaths/yr
- 51
- MA departments
- 568
What This Data Tells You About Reading Fire Department
Reading Fire Department operates as a Career (Paid) department in Reading, within Middlesex County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 58 total personnel, 2 stations, no truck inventory reported. EMS capability is listed as active.
Benchmarking against the state gives this profile context. Massachusetts has 568 registered fire departments and 19,841 total personnel, averaging roughly 35 staff per department. Reading Fire Department runs 66% above that state average, signalling a larger-than-typical crew likely tied to denser population or higher call volume. The state records about 38,700 fires, 51 fire deaths, and 35% volunteer coverage each year, which shapes training, funding priorities, and mutual-aid patterns felt at every department in the state.
Federal investment further defines this department's trajectory: Reading Fire Department has received 1 FEMA grant totaling $581,007.02 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many firefighters does Reading Fire Department have? ▼
Reading Fire Department has 58 total personnel according to HIFLD data. This is 66% above the Massachusetts average of 35 per department.
Does Reading Fire Department provide EMS services? ▼
Yes, Reading Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in addition to fire response.
How many fire stations does Reading Fire Department operate? ▼
Reading Fire Department operates 2 fire stations.
What type of fire department is Reading Fire Department? ▼
Reading Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Middlesex County, MA. Career departments employ full-time paid firefighters.
Has Reading Fire Department received federal grants? ▼
Yes, Reading Fire Department has received 1 FEMA grant totaling $581,007.02 through the AFG and SAFER programs. The most recent grant was in fiscal year 2017.
How many fire departments are in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts has 568 fire departments with 19,841 total personnel. 35% are volunteer departments.
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Data from HIFLD Open Data (FEMA/DHS). Not all departments report equally.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from FEMA/DHS HIFLD Open Data. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.