Reading Volunteer Fire Department

09/28/2026

Congratulations to the following member celebrating a service anniversary in September 2026:

🚒 Assistant Chief Darrell Porter, 8 years 🚑

Thank you for your years of service!!

09/11/2026

We would like to thank Streator Fire Department, Streator EMS, Cornell Fire Dept., Long Point Fire Protection District, Streator Police Department, Vcom-911, ComEd & NICOR Gas for their help at our fire this morning. We truly appreciate all the assistance each and every time!

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09/02/2026

Central IL has been upgraded to an 'Extreme Heat Warning' through Friday as temps in the 90s will continue with no relief at night.

This is impactful for this with no AC, those working outdoors and outdoor extracurricular school activities. Take precautions and take care of students and employees.

Relief will begin to arrive this weekend.

SW IL may be upgraded to the warning. If you're in the white outlined region, then expect warning level impacts.

08/08/2026

The Reading Fire Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance today for the basement fire at a residence in the 1500 block of E. Kent St. Streator Fire Department , Streator Police Department , Cornell Fire Dept. , Long Point Fire Protection District , Vcom-911, Lasalle County Sheriff's Office, NICOR Gas, American Red Cross , Illinois American Water.

07/28/2026

Congratulations to the following member celebrating a service anniversary for July 2026:

🚒 Chief Thomas Metzke, 41 years 🚑

Thank you for your years of service!

07/17/2026

Air quality is listed at hazardous this morning. Take necessary precautions To monitor air quality in your neighborhood, visit www.airnow.gov.

07/15/2026

Today we celebrate 70 years of service for the Reading Fire Department. Since July 14, 1956, Reading FD has proudly served Streator and the surrounding communities. For seven decades, our volunteers have responded to structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and countless other calls always committed to keeping our community safe.

The department’s story began in 1956, and while much has changed, our dedication has never wavered. Equipment has evolved, tactics have improved, and training has advanced but the dangers have also grown. Decades ago, homes were filled with natural materials like real wood and cotton. Today’s synthetic plastics burn hotter, faster, and release far more toxic gases, making modern firefighting more challenging than ever.

Reading FD is an all-volunteer department, and our firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics balance emergency response with full-time jobs, families, and everyday life. Not every firefighter can respond to every call, which is why our partnership with Cornell and Long Point Fire Departments is so vital. Through Auto-Aid, all three departments respond together to structure and field fires in any of our districts, ensuring that our communities receive fast, reliable, and unified protection.

For 70 years, Reading Fire Department has stood ready, day or night, rain or shine driven by the same commitment that started it all: neighbors helping neighbors.

07/10/2026

Testing of the siren is complete. Repeat, testing of the siren is complete. Any more activation will be for actual emergencies