Reading Volunteer Fire Department

06/14/2026

Please see the detailed press release below.

06/13/2026

The final Queen of Hearts will be tonight at 6pm at 12th St Tap. We will draw until the Queen of Hearts is revealed or the last card out is drawn. Come on down to support some a great organization.

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

Public Service Announcement.

This message is in response to the cleanup phase of the recent tornado incident in Streator.

To the Residents of the Reading Township Fire Protection District, please exercise due caution and diligence while you clean up your property. If you choose to burn debris, please make sure it is supervised at all times for the safety of everyone.

Please be cognitive of the physical surroundings and weather conditions at this time. We will investigate if it is reported as unattended burning and will extinguished it the situation warrants.

Once again please be safe and respectful, Thank You, Chief Tom Metzke

06/12/2026

EVERYONE PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM AREAS AFFECTED...ALL YOU ARE DOING IS MAKING OUR JOB HARDER BY GETTING IN THE WAY THANK YOU 🚨

06/11/2026

TORNADO WARNING ⚠️ Take shelter immediately!

06/11/2026

The severe weather risk for today has been increased to a Level 4 out of 5, the second highest risk level possible.

This line of storms will be capable of widespread damaging winds and spin-up tornadoes.

Afternoon/evening has the highest severe potential, with numerous storms looking likely all hazards are possible (tornadoes, wind, and hail).

The tornado and damaging wind risk is particularly high north of I-72, in the red shading. In the black-dashed region on the map, there is an elevated chance we could see a couple intense tornadoes this evening.

Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warning information!

The severe weather risk for today has been increased to a Level 4 out of 5, the second highest risk level possible.

We are closely monitoring multiple rounds of storms through tonight. The first is with a line of severe storms approaching from Iowa that will move into western IL in an hour or so. This line of storms will be capable of widespread damaging winds and spin-up tornadoes.

Attention then turns to an afternoon/evening wave after the atmosphere recovers. This round has the highest severe potential, with numerous storms looking likely. Some storms will be linear, some supercellular. This means all hazards are possible (tornadoes, wind, and hail).

The tornado and damaging wind risk is particularly high north of I-72, in the red shading. In the black-dashed region on the map, there is an elevated chance we could see a couple intense tornadoes this evening. This is particularly true if any storm can remain more semi-discrete during the afternoon/early evening.

Be checking back for updates often! Make sure you review severe weather safety plans and act immediately if warnings are issued. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warning information.

Our page will auto-post the latest alerts within seconds of their issuance. You may view the latest warnings by clicking on our page and refreshing!

06/11/2026

Please monitor this storm later today as it has the potential to be very dangerous!

06/08/2026

Reading Fire Department is proud to announce that we have been awarded $18,043.95 through the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Small Equipment Grant Program.

This funding will assist with the purchase of a battery‑operated AMKUS ram and a high‑pressure air bag kit, enhancing our rescue capabilities and improving the tools available to our firefighters during emergency operations.

We thank the Office of the State Fire Marshal for investing in small departments like ours and helping us to continue providing the highest level of service and safety to our community.

We are excited to announce the recipients of the FY-26 Small Equipment Grant. A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state.

Visit this link for a complete list of recipients: https://sfm.illinois.gov/currentfocus/smallequipmentgrantrecipientsannouncement-fy26.html

05/17/2026

Congratulations to the following members celebrating a service anniversary in March, April & May 2026:

March:
🚒 Firefighter Mike Katcher, 47 years 🚑
🚒 Firefighter Chuck Cole, 34 years 🚑
🚒 Firefighter Bradley Austin, 4 years 🚑
🚒 Firefighter EMT TJ Renner, 4 years 🚑

April:
🚒 First Responder Lori Ganey, 3 years 🚑
🚒 Firefighter Isaiah Austin, 1 year 🚑

May:
🚒 Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Zavada, 2 years 🚑
🚒 Firefighter Patrick Chismarick, 1 year 🚑

Thank you for your years of service!