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Monday, October 25th, 2021
On Monday, October 25th, members from Local 1803 visited the offices of Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks. Local 1803 raised money this year through the sale of Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts....
Friday, October 22nd, 2021
Please consider purchasing 2021 Reading Fire Department Toy Drive apparel to help us get toys for local kids in need this Christmas. We appreciate you helping us in this great cause! Link posted below...
Friday, October 1st, 2021
Hired on February 1st of 1995, Judd Weber began his firefighting career on the C-Platoon where he was assigned as a jumper after graduating the fire academy. Firefighter Weber remained a jumper on C-s...
Friday, July 23rd, 2021
Congratulations to the 2021 recruit class on their graduation of the fire academy. The recruit class has finished 6 months of strenuous training led by Lieutenant Batz and now will be assigned to stre...
News
Firefighter David Doerrman
Friday, January 12th, 2018
Congratulations to Firefighter David Doerrman on more than 41 years of combined service to the City of Reading. Dave first joined the Neversink Fire Company Engine 3 in May of 1976. Dave would then be hired by the department on February 1st 1993. After completing fire training Doerrman was assigned to the D platoon. In August of 1994 Doerrman took assignment on Engine 9 with the B platoon. Dave would transfer to Engine 14 in July of 1997 after returning to work from an injury. 3 years later he took assignment as the Snorkel driver on the A platoon on August 7 of 2000. Dave also made the transition from the Snorkel to the Tower apparatus in 2004.
Dave plans on enjoying his retirement and family while continuing to hunt and play golf!
I asked Dave to answer a few questions on his experiences and ideas about the department. Here is what he had to say:
Question #1 - Apparatus/Tools/Equipment Was there anything Apparatus/Tools/Equipment-wise during your career that you felt had a special need, operated quirky, or you felt was a potential problem. |
I believe that the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) and the meters have been the most useful. In recent times the TIC has been used for so much more than searching for victims at fires. I remember using the TIC at an accident with passenger ejection where the car rolled over on the bypass. We've used the device many times checking for extension after stove fires, that eliminated the need to open up walls unnecessarily. We continue to use the atmospheric meters more and more to check for hazardous environments. In the past we didn't make use of this type of equipment as much. |
Question #2 - Calls/Incidents/Experiences/Problem Buildings Tell us about any calls, incidents, or experiences that offer a lesson learned for other firefighters (especially new ones). I'm sure you could think of many things in your career, but just pick out one or two things that come to mind as being most important |
I would say an experience early on in my career taught me about fireground conduct. I can't remember the location but I realized after the fire was out the guys were joking, laughing and making comments. We frequently do these things as firefighters to handle the stress that comes with the job. While engaged in the joking, It occurred to me that the occupants were standing out on the sidewalk. While we weren't making jokes directly about them I could see how the situation could have been interpreted. The lesson I learned from the incident was to try and see it from a citizens point of view. While I enjoyed joining in on the jokes, it gave me another perspective. |
Question #3 - Department History Can you name something from the department that you feel we have lost over the years that might be good to bring back or recall? (procedure, policy, event, ceremony, etc) |
I've noticed that the the history of this department is being lost at a rapid pace. We aren't doing enough to pass the information on to the newer members. When I started my career I was surrounded by senior firefighters who were more than happy to impart their wisdom on how "we got here." When the DROP program was implemented we lost many of our senior people quickly. A lot of knowledge left the department, with very few remaining to explain benefits, collective bargaining agreements, and MOU's. I'm sure people got bored with me explaining what I knew about the department and the local. I spent a good portion of my career as an officer with the union and I felt it was important to pass as much on as possible. |
Question #4 - Your Wisdom Can you write one thing that you feel would be helpful to pass on to new firefighter that could help them stay healthy & safe throughout their career? |
The most important thing I want to leave here involves "size up". Before you enter the building does it have a porch roof, how many floors, where is the smoke coming from, what color is it? All of your observations can and will affect you on the fireground. Please look out for one another so everyone goes home. |
Photo by Nik Knauer
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693 entries in the News
Saturday, January 13th, 2018
Recruit Bradley Shanaman has recently completed all of the requirements for the Reading Fire Academy. He had been previously assigned to the A platoon.
Saturday, January 13th, 2018
Congratulations to John Diehm on 36 years of combined service to the City of Reading. John first joined the Riverside Fire Company in June of 1981. He was officially hired by the department on June 30th of 1988.
Saturday, January 13th, 2018
Congratulations to Firefighter Donald Sassaman for serving the citizens of Reading for years. The "SASS" started when he joined as a volunteer with the Liberty Fire Company Engine 5 in December of 1980.
Friday, January 12th, 2018
Congratulations to Firefighter David Doerrman on more than 41 years of combined service to the City of Reading. Dave first joined the Neversink Fire Company Engine 3 in May of 1976. Dave would then be hired by the department on February 1st 1993.
Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
The 2017 Seagrave 100' tractor-drawn ladder truck has been officially delivered to the Reading Fire Department. The apparatus will be assigned to Ladder 1 from the 3rd and Court Street house. In the coming weeks firefighters will be trained by factory representatives on the operations and featur...
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018
Congratulations to Firefighter Tim O'Brien on his retirement after more than 39 years of combined service to the City of Reading. O'Brien first served as a volunteer firefighter joining the Neversink Fire Company Engine 3 in Fall of 1978.
Friday, December 22nd, 2017
After a very successful toy drive campaign the Reading Firefighters raised nearly $7000 to purchase toys for the Salvation Army in Reading. A charity t-shirt was designed and sold to raise money for the cause with several persons donating directly without the shirt.
Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
At the end of the November, City Administration announced a plan to purchase a vacant property in the 900 block of Penn Street and begin construction of 2 fire stations for Downtown and the Northeast. The south-side of 900 block of Penn Street had previously been involved in a 3 alarm fire back in F...
Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
In an urban environment such as the City of Reading parking is always at a premium. Area's designated for fire hydrants are always an easy answer to the desperate person to be able to park near their home.
Friday, December 15th, 2017
The following assignment is per Personnel Directive 2017-41Robert Schoellkopf - Medic 4 "B" platoon(effective 12.24)
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017
WFMZ reporter Maria Salazar reached out to the department in regards to emergency vehicles responding to calls for service. Maria and camera man Andrew Valentino recently took a ride with Deputy Chief Rehr and Ladder 3 of the "A" platoon to observe traffic situations firefighters routinely...
Saturday, December 2nd, 2017
Former Reading Firefighters Mark Civitarese and Marty Daniels recently took the 1959 Mack/Maxim Ladder 1 for a ride after completing aerial ladder work at Fire Line Equipment in Lancaster. The apparatus is nearing completion with gold-leaf work to come next.
Friday, December 1st, 2017
Congratulations to Paramedic Josh Schmeck on his appointment to Fire Department Administrative Officer. Josh was hired for EMS on April 22nd 2009 and assigned to Medic 2 on the "A" platoon. In 2011, the department sent Schmeck to the Allentown Fire Academy to receive firefighter training....
Saturday, November 25th, 2017
On Saturday November 25th the Fire & Police hockey team travelled to the PPL center in Allentown for their very first game against Allentown Fire & Police. The Allentown Badge's defense was no match for the Reading team.
Sunday, November 19th, 2017
The 15th annual MDA Black and Blue Ball was held at Classic Harley Davidson on Friday November 19th. The Reading Fire Department was once again asked to auction a birthday party for charity. The winner of the birthday party auction receives a complete birthday party with a ride in a fire truck.
Tuesday, November 14th, 2017
The following assignment is per Personnel Directive 2017-38Matthew Azrolan - Engine 1 driver "B" platooneffective immediately
Tuesday, November 14th, 2017
Early Tuesday morning Tower 1 was parked in a "secure" heavy-duty truck center for service when it was the victim of theft. Individuals forced entry into the center and stole several pieces of equipment which included: power saws, ventilations fans, flood lights, and hand tools.
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
The Reading Fire Department welcomes our newest member of the Fire Marshal's Office, canine "Gracie". Gracie is a 2-year-old yellow labrador who is being trained in explosives and accelerant detection.
Wednesday, November 1st, 2017
The following assignments are per Personnel Directive 2017-35Nathan MacLane - Engine 1 FF "B" platoon (November 2nd)Jordan Bankert - Medic 4 "C" platoon (December 4th)
Tuesday, October 31st, 2017
We want to welcome to Esmeralda Villasenor, who recently began working as the Fire Department Secretary on October 16th. Esmerelda started with the city in May of this year working in the Codes/Property Maintenance as a scheduling clerk.
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