In 1794, a German immigrant, Abraham Voorhees, moved his family from their home near Philadelphia. He built a large double log cabin along the west bank of the Millcreek in Sycamore Township. Shortly after, a visitor from Reading, PA (Harvey Redinbo) was pleased with the land that Voorhees had acquired and purchased his land in the area of Hunt Road and Columbia Avenue. This early settlement (1797) was known as Voorhees-Town, later changed to Reading in honor of Redinbo’s hometown and the birthplace of his father-in-law (William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania – born in Reading, England).
By 1920, Reading’s population had grown to 4,540. In 1926, the fire department received its first motorized vehicle. The four-cylinder Denby had a chemical tank that had to be inverted to discharge the agent through its hose reels. In 1928, the first motorized pumper was purchased. The new Ahrens Fox cost $13,000. The old Ahrens served the department for nearly fifty years before being retired. The rig was refurbished by department members in 1976 for the American Bicentennial festivities. The city still owns the truck to this day.
By 1960, the population had reached 12,832. The fire department consisted of 25 men, all paid volunteers. In 1967, the Reading Life Squad was organized, and its first run was on July 19. The service was previously available through Schmidt-Dhonau Funeral Home and the Ohio Valley Life Squad. Elmer Siebel was appointed the first full-time Fire Chief in January 1968. One year later, the firehouse was stationed with full-time members: three Lieutenants, one lieutenant/Inspector, and six firefighters.
By 1976, Reading’s population is estimated to be around 15,500. In 1979, three additional firefighters were hired, and the Life Squad was moved into the fire department under the direction of Chief Robert Hollmeyer. With this combination of services, the fire department began providing paramedic services. In 1981, the fire department opened a second station on Columbia Avenue, on property obtained from the Sisters of Notre Dame. The city, which had been divided by the railroad since 1887, now had fire and emergency medical equipment on both sides of the track.
Today, the fire department is a combination department comprised of career, part-time, and paid-on-call members that provides a full range of services to the City of Reading and the Village of Arlington Heights. The department also provides emergency medical services to Amberley Village. Chief Todd Owens was appointed on February 23, 2014, and has been a department member for over 35 years. The department maintains two engines, an aerial ladder truck, three medic units, and various emergency support units. The fire department maintains an ISO rating of 2. Services continue to expand, meeting the needs of an ever-changing community.
