Reading PA Fire Department

3 shootings in the city through the weekend kept EMS & Hospital personnel busy. On the morning of May 16th, "A "platoon members found an injured male in car at 3rd and Chestnut streets. Engine 3 & M601 found a male shot several times in the chest and back. A previous shootout at the Liberties Fire Association Club on Laurel street, had the victim running from the scene. Only to be found by police a short time later.

Shortly after shift change "C" platoon crews found themselves responding to reports of a male shot in the 100 block of West Windsor street. Engine 11, Car 6, & Medic 603 found a male shot in the stomach. After notification to the Reading Hospital Trauma Center, it was found they closed the center due to an overload in serious trauma victims. The patient was transported to Carpenter technologies helipad and airlifted to St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem. It was learned later that the victim was shot by his wife who was upset he deleted her saved video game. 

"B" platoon crews were sent to an active daylight shooting the next day in the 100 block of Peach street. Information provided to Engine 1, Medic 601, & Car 7 advised there were still shots being fired without police in the area. Engine 1 arrived quickly and staged 2 blocks from the scene at the Barta Terminal.  After the scene was secured by multiple police units, personnel found a male shot several times in the chest and stomach. The victim was quickly stabilized and taken to Reading Hospital.

Box 428 was tapped out for 945 Elm Street after one 911 call was received for some sort of fire in the building. E2 & E13 arrived in the block and reported a "worker". A room & contents in the rear apartment of a 3 story MOR apartment building was getting head way but quickly knocked down by an 1 3/4 from E2 drug through the grocers alley. The fire was placed under control within 15 minutes with little overhaul and the building was mechanically ventilated. A dog perished in the fire and Car 24 was called to the scene to investigate.

Companies On The Box:

Engines:  2(1), 13, 3, 9

Ladders: Tower,  Ladder 3

Rescue, Medic 601, Car 4

At 18:27, Engine 3 and Medic 601 were dispatched to a Pedestrian Accident at Front and Buttonwood Streets. Further up dates indicated it may be an MVA. Other reports from police indicated that a police officer was drug by a fleeing vehicle and requested EMS expedite.

The Engine arrived within moments and reported a person down at Front & Elm. Police assisted with stabilizing the injured officer. A very large crowd had gathered but remained orderly. The Officer was transported to Reading Hospital with unspecified injuries by medic 602 and Engine 3. He was listed in good condition later in the evening.

Smoke began to fill the Cit-go gas mart at the corner of Lancaster Ave & Kenhorst Blvd this afternoon. The condition prompted the response of Box 164. First arriving Engine #14 found smoke throughout the store and reported they may have an electrical issue. Crew were deployed in the building and onto the roof via Ladder 1. An electrician was notified by the manager, and worked with the companies to determine the source of the problem. Companies cleared the scene while the electrician sorted out the problem.

Companies On The Box:

Engines - 14, 5, 3, 1

Ladders - 1, (3 error in dispatch), Medic 601

Box 51 was tapped around 1500 hrs for the 800 block of Church Street. Communications reported one phone call received for smoke and fire on the second floor of the dwelling. Companies investigated, and found smoke banked down on the second floor and located a small fire in a bedroom. The fire was possibly caused by clothing and an overheated electrical outlet. Crews extinguished the fire and vented to property in about 30 minutes.

 Companies On The Box:

Engines - 11, 9, 3, 1

Ladder - 3 

Rescue, M601, car's 3 & 8