Thanksgiving is here and with it comes the risk of cooking fires, both in the kitchen and in the back yard. Here are some safety tips from our colleagues at the National Fire Protection Association.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. ... (Full Story & Photos)

Yes...despite the recent weather that finally delivered some decent rain to a grateful community, it still wasn't enough to eliminate the drought conditions that have plagued the region over the last several weeks. Therefore, while this was a good start, THE BURN BAN ENACTED BY THE TOWNSHIP REMAINS IN EFFECT.

Please avoid outside fires of just about every kind, be they recreational, land use or ... (Full Story & Photos)

On Wednesday evening, November 20 TSFR Engine 85, Wyomissing FD Ladder 79, Western Berks FD Ladder18 and Engine 18-1, Shillington Engine 36, Kenhorst Engine 69-1, Mohnton Sta. 57 RIT, Western Berks EMS Medics 6511and 6522, were dispatched to a residence on Linda Lane in the Wilshire section of Spring Township for a possible structure fire, reported to be an oven fire.

Rescue Engine 85 responded with ... (Full Story & Photos)

The regular Monday night drill on November 18 focused on an introduction to our new on-line reporting software, First Due. This one source app and website will allow personnel to be alerted to, respond to, and report on all emergency calls to which the Department has been dispatched. It will also be used to record and track more routine events such as apparatus fueling, maintenance work orders, ... (Full Story & Photos)

On Friday night November 15, TSFRS was dispatched to assist the City of Reading on a 2nd alarm structure fire at a paper mill on Laurel Street. Rescue Engine 85 was dispatched as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) on the 2nd alarm assignment. RE85 responded and stood fast until put to work, ascending via aerial ladder to the roof of the building to assist with removal of roof covering.

Meanwhile ... (Full Story & Photos)

A concerned neighbor and a fast response teamed up to extinguish a fire in a garage on Garfield Ave on Tuesday afternoon November 12. A report was made to to Berks 911 that smoke was seen coming from a neighbor's garage. This prompted the dispatch of a full structure fire assignment that included TSFRS Engine 85, Wyomissing Ladder 79, Western Berks FD Ladder 18 and Engine 18-1, Shillington Engine ... (Full Story & Photos)

Yes, it just rained. However, the little rain we received may have made the grass a little greener but did not materially affect the overall dry conditions throughout the area. One local meteorologist suggested that we will need dozens of showers like we just had to end this drought.

Therefore, the burn ban and water restrictions remain in place. Please be careful with fire especially outdoors. ... (Full Story & Photos)

Just before 1 AM on Saturday morning November 9, TSFR was alerted for Tanker 85 to assist on a major wildfire burning on Neversink Mountain. Exceptionally dry conditions from an ongoing drought coupled with windy conditions resulted in a rapid fire spread across the terrain, threatening several homes.

Tanker 85 responded and spent the next 13 hours shuttling water from hydrants in the City to support ... (Full Story & Photos)