Layoffs at Reading City Fire

[Troy Neville]

Cutting $3 million out of the Reading Fire Bureau's budget next year will require major cutbacks in the way the city responds to fires and ambulance calls, a worried Fire Chief William H. Rehr III said Thursday.

The expected layoffs of 16 firefighters and seven paramedics would mean one of the three ambulances will go out of service, as well as several of the 11 firetrucks now operating around the clock, including three of the four ladder trucks, he said.

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=164553

[Mickenzie]

WOW, looks like it sucks all-around for Fire Departments lately. Hope the brothers and their families will be OK during this time! On a side note, unless their 2-out rule is different....when there is a known rescue to be made, the 2-out rule is usually abandoned. Could this be a Press typo or do different Departments operate differently under the "2-out rule"? Good Luck brothers...hope everything works out for you guys

[crazy fox]

Last year Reading was hiring FF's at a starting pay of approx. $55,000. Many wondered why I did not choose to apply - this is the answer. Let's face it, starting FF's at $55k in Reading City cannot be a smart idea. I knew it was only a matter of time before the FD had to make cuts to help the city's budget.

[Merch]

Reading is one of the first in the area, but will not be the last. They have filed for the Bankruptcy Act (Act 42???) and are in a world of trouble.

I will be interested to see how this pans out, as I believe the Fire Department has recently (year or so) signed a new contract. I do know that the Police Department is VERY interested to see how this goes down. Their contract expires 2010 and expect sweeping changes to occur!

Best of luck!