Fire Department

"Committed to providing quality, courteous and professional life safety and public services." 



Mission Statement

Professionalism Everyday

Memorial Day 2015 - photo
(Memorial Day 2015 - photo by D. Janelle)

MISSION STATEMENT

Committed to providing quality, courteous and professional life safety and public services.

VISION STATEMENT

Customer Service - Our internal and external customers constitute our number one priority. We treat our customers with respect and dignity in our efforts to address their needs. We care for our customers as if they are members of our own family.

Teamwork - While individual effort is valued, the Departments' long-term success will be the result of teamwork. We encourage respect and incorporate valid team input.

Progressiveness - We will pursue advancement opportunities in education, standards, technology and trends within the dynamic environment of the fire service.

Safety - Safety is the cornerstone of our organization's foundation. It is an attitude we embrace in belief and practice.

Professionalism - We value an organizational culture exemplified by accoutability, compassion, dedication, honesty, integrity, leadership, pride and respect.

Chief's Message

Message from the Chief:
We at Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS are honored to deliver first rate customer service to the nearly 60,000 citizens of the Town and our visitors at each of the more than 9,000 calls for service received each year. We provide a full array of emergency response services available upon demand. MFRE employs 81 uniformed career and 3 civilian support personnel staffing 5 strategically located Stations throughout Town, as well as the Fire Marshal’s Office located on the Town Hall Campus. Our Department’s responses are rapid, professional and efficient. An all-risk Fire Department, MFRE provides expert services in fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services (first responder and Advanced Life Support), specialized rescue, hazardous materials, public education and disaster mitigation.

MFRE is renowned in our industry as one of the premier fire-based EMS systems in New England, a mantel our members wear humbly but dedicate themselves to maintaining. Our Department personnel invest themselves every shift in a wide variety of in-company and job-wide training to ensure preparedness whatever the call. Our leadership culture produces strong, capable, empathetic officers who lead their teams with a commitment to go the extra mile for our customers.

The members of Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS are committed to their community. You will see them acting in support of a wide range of events throughout the year including the Manchester Road RaceCruisin’ on Main, the annual Dutch Fogarty Fourth of July Celebration and manning the grills for the annual Senior Center Picnic and more. We encourage our community to get to know our firefighters by visiting any of our five fire stations. Please come see for yourself the personnel, technology and equipment that form the backbone of this exceptional organization.

Personally, it is my honor to work with the men and women of Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS who through Integrity, Professionalism, Safety, Courage and Compassion, proudly stand ready to answer the call and deliver whenever help is needed. Please feel free to contact my office if I can be of any service to you.

Daniel French

Department History

Beginnings Of South Manchester Fire Department

The need for a fire department in South Manchester was voiced increasingly during the late 1800's, particularly by F. Ernest Watkins, one of the partners of Watkins Brothers. A fire, which destroyed the Weldon business block in 1897, spurred action and a petition signed by twelve men to the Selectmen asking them to call a meeting to form a fire district. A meeting was called on April 21, 1897 and a fire district was organized by a vote of 56 to 46.

Boundaries of the district were set roughly through the center of Middle Turnpike, south through Parker and Autumn Streets, west along Charter Oak Street and Hartford road and north through Cooper Street and in a line with Bigelow Brook. In response to a petition submitted to the Selectmen less than a week later, the southern boundary was extended to include Spring and Hackmatack Streets.

Management of the district's business and property was assigned to the officers acting as a committee: President Frank Cheney Jr., Clerk F.E. Watkins, Treasurer Justus W. Hale and Assessor and Collector R.M. Rood.

The residents who met and voted to extend the original boundaries also voted a tax of 11/2 mills and authorized the borrowing of $3,000.00 to purchase apparatus. The tax levied by Mr. Rood was 15 cents for each male in the district between the ages of 18 and 60 and a personal property tax which included about 5 cents for a bicycle.

The Officers asked men in five sections of South Manchester to organize companies. The first to be organized was called the West Side Company No.1, with L.N. Heebner as foreman, the company included five members of the Cheney family: Frank Jr., Charles, Horace B., C. Herman and Howell. Company No. 1 was supported financially by the Cheney Brothers for many years, although remained under the direction of the district committee.

Center Hose Company No. 2, located in the vicinity of the Center included Albert, James, Theodore Bidwell; Robert, Samuel, W.J. Smith among others. The Company was under the direction of Foreman Walter M. Saunders.In the Orford Hose Company No. 3 were C.E. House, J.W. Hale, F.T. Blish with John P. Cheney serving as Foreman.

School Street Company No. 4 included William C. Cheney as Foreman, Alexander Rogers, Alexander Trotter, F.E. Watkins and Walter B. Cheney.

With Frank Tryon as Foreman, the Charter Oak Company No. 5 included Leo and James Burke ; George and Olin Day Andrew and John Gordon ; and Arthur Hale. Charter Oak Company No. 5 merged with School Street Company No. 4 in 1905.

The four remaining Companies were organized into a Fire Department in June of 1897 and named the South Manchester Fire Department. Frank Cheney Jr. was selected as the first Chief of the Department. The Department was consolidated with the Town of Manchester in November of 1956 to form the current entity known as:

Manchester Fire - Rescue - EMS or M.F.R.E.

This hand drawn hose cart was the earliest type of equipment to be used in the South Manchester Fire Department. Five such carts were delivered in May of 1898 and distributed among the five hose companies. Each consisted of a two wheeled cart, 350 feet of hose, two axes, a hydrant wrench, two spanner wrenches and a canvas sack, which was laid over the top, containing rubber coats and hats. Appearing in the photo (right to left) are Robert Carney, Ernest Kilquist, Clifford Forbes, Richard McCann, Clarence Aspinwall and Alfred Hultman.

The 1899 ladder truck, 1900 hose wagon and chief's buggy at Company No.1 operated with runners in Winter to speed their response in snowy weather, Rollers were placed in the floor of the fire house so the runners could move in and out easily. In the background is the fire house at the corner of Pine Street and Hartford road. It was built by Cheney Brothers in 1900 as the home of Company No. 1. It was used until 1966 when Company No. 1 moved into new quarters on McKee Street.

Contact Us

Manchester Fire Rescue EMS

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Daniel French
Fire Chief
E-mail: dfrench@manchesterct.gov

Joshua Beaulieu
Assistant Fire Chief
E-mail: beaulieuj@manchesterct.gov

David Mauldin
Fire Marshal
E-mail: dmauldin@manchesterct.gov

Chief's Office: (860) 647-3266
Fire Marshal's Office: (860) 647-3267
Fax: (860) 647-3268

 


Station Locations

Station 1 - 138 McKee Street

Apparatus:          Engine 1

                                2022 Marion Metro Star Class A Pumper

                                2000 GPM/ 700 Gallon Water Tank

                                Engine 7 (Spare)

                                2012 Sutphen Monarch Class A Pumper

                                2000 GPM/636 Gallon Water Tank


Station 1 is an extremely active station, responding to more than 2,500 calls per year for service. Station 1 is located in the West side of Manchester and serves the West and Southwest areas of the community. The station is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and one Firefighter/EMT. Its’ geographical coverage area include some unique and challenging facilities, including several skilled nursing homes, senior housing complexes, a Community College, elementary schools, the towns water treatment plant and landfill, group homes, Cheney Mill Apartments, single family homes, multifamily homes, and apartment complexes. In addition, the station is responsible for much of I-384, a heavily traveled divided highway, as well as having access to I-84 and I-291. 


Engine 1 includes a full complement of rescue equipment including Partech struts, TNT hydraulic rescue tools, and a complete set of ALS medical equipment. The station also includes a training ground that includes cargo containers with training props inside and a bailout prop installed on top.  It also includes a light pole anchored in concrete to facilitate complicated extrication scenarios and used as a bomb-proof anchor for Grip hoist and rope drills.



Station 2 - Headquarters Company 75 Center Street - Fire Chief John C. Rivosa Fire

Apparatus:          Truck 2

                                2018 Pierce Velocity 105’ Aerial

                                70 Gallon Compressed Air Foam System

                                Truck 6

                                1999 Pierce Dash 105’ Aerial

                                2000 GPM/400 Gallon Water Tank


Station 2 is an extremely active station in a very active area of the city and is only second to area Station #1’s call volume. It is located in the center of Manchester and it serves as the Department’s Headquarters. Station 2 is primarily accountable for the downtown and Broad Street retail/commercial areas. It is a geographically small area; however, it is very diverse and dense. The area has Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester High School, Bennet Academy, Illing Middle School, Saint James Elementary School, two of the Town’s eldest and most prestigious churches, Cheney Mansions, Cheney Mill Apartments, single family homes, multifamily homes, large apartment complexes, Center Springs Park, and Center Park.

Station-2.jpg

The Station houses a 2018 Pierce Ladder Truck which is the Departments primary rescue unit. It is equipped for heavy rescue and it has a CAFS Class A system. It is staffed with one Lieutenant, One Firefighter/Paramedic, and two Firefighter/EMTs.

  

Administrative and Division offices are located on the second floor of Station 2 as well as Department/Community meeting and training rooms. The station also houses a self-contained breathing apparatus refill station located in a special room on the ground floor. The station is equipped with a commercial kitchen that can serve as a food preparation area during disaster situations. A large capacity generator guarantees constant energy to all areas of the station during power outages. Fire Station 2 also serves as home to the Town’s Office of Emergency Management.

Station 2 is the home of the “Retired Manchester Fire Fighters Memorial Brick Garden”. Located in the front of the building, a memorial brick engraved with the retired firefighter’s name is laid whenever a retired member passes. A granite memorial, within the brick garden, memorializes town firefighters that have died in the line of duty. 

Station 3 - 11 Weaver Road

Apparatus:          Engine 3

                                2021 Marion Metro Star Class A Pumper

                                2000 GMP/564 Gallon Water Tank

                                Spare Engine 8

                                2012 Sutphen Monarch Class A Pumper

                                2000 GPM/636 Gallon Water Tank


Station 3 is located on the East side of Manchester and its primary coverage area is the Northeast area of the town. Area 3 is one of our most diverse areas ranging from residential to industrial structures. The station houses a 2020 Class A Marion Engine. The station is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and one Firefighter/EMT. Its’ geographical coverage area is largely residential, however, it provides response coverage to target hazards such as Crestfield Convalescent Home, Buckley Elementary School, the town’s Senior Center, numerous businesses comprising the town’s Industrial Park, and a number of condominium and apartment complexes. Additionally, the apparatus is responsible for a large part of the downtown area in a second due capacity.



Station 4 - 105 Highland Street

Apparatus:          Engine 4

                                2017 Marion Gladiator Class A Pumper

                                2000 GPM/500 Gallon Water Tank

                                2016 Polaris UTV

                                Service 1

E4-with-Station-4.jpg

Station 4, located on the south side of the community, protects the south and southeast portions of Manchester. The station is responsible for one of the largest geographical areas of the town and is second-due to much of the downtown areas. The station houses a Class A 2017 Marion Engine. The station is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and one Firefighter/EMT. The station protects several neighborhoods and is responsible for several identified target hazards including the Manchester Water Department, Case Mountain, portions of the East Coast Greenway, and substantial portions of I-384 (a heavily traveled divided highway). 



The 2016 Polaris is housed at Station #4 to assist with rescues at Case Mountain, East Coast Green Way, and the Howard Porter Reservoir Recreation Area.  Engine 4 also carries cold water equipment that includes cold water suites, water rescue rope, 550’ Ice Rescue Reel, and a MARSARS Ice Rescue Safety Shuttle. The Station is also responsible for the protection of Charter Oak Park, Mount Nebo and Globe Hollow swimming area. All of these identified places of public gathering attract thousands of residents and visitors throughout the year.


UTV.jpg


Station 5 - 331 Tolland Turnpike

Apparatus:          Engine 5

                                2016 Marion Gladiator Class A Pumper

                                2000 GPM/500 Gallon Water Tank



Station 5 is located in the North end of the town and protects that area and most of the 8th Utilities District for paramedic medical response. Area 5 is the smallest area geographically, however, has become one of the department’s busiest stations with continued increasing call volume. Station 5 houses a Class A 2016 Marion Engine. The station is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and one Firefighter/EMT. The station covers many target hazards in the town’s industrial park, many hotels, a large retail area with many car dealerships, the Bryan Farms area - which is a residential neighborhood, and is adjacent to I-84 – which is a heavily traveled divided highway.


Oakland Express Engine 5 Company logo