Fire Department

Professionalism Everyday

(Memorial Day - 2024)

(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 accountability, compassion, dedication, honesty, integrity, leadership, pride and respect.

 Message from the Chief:

We at Manchester Fire Department 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 10,000 calls for service received each year. We provide a full array of emergency response services available upon demand. MFD employs 104 uniformed career and 3 civilian support personnel staffing 7 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, MFD 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.

MFD 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 Department 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 Race, Cruisin’ 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 seven 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 Department 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

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.

Manchester Fire Department 

Established in 1897, the South Manchester Fire Department has served the citizens of Manchester’s South End with distinction for 126 continuous years. On July 1st, 2023, the Eighth Utilities District merged with the Town of Manchester. The South Manchester Fire Department and the Eighth District Fire Department unified to become one singular department:

The MANCHESTER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

  In honor of the spirit of cooperation and commitment to exceptional public safety delivery, the new department patch is emblazoned with the Latin phrase:

Ex Duobus Unum – From two, one.

The new patch was designed to honor both departments and the brave and dedicated members of the Manchester Fire Service both past and present.

Manchester Fire Department

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

Gordan Macmillan 
Assistant Fire Chief
E-mail: GMacmillan@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 1

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 complete set of ALS medical equipment, hand tools, battery powered tools, and full extinguishing capabilities. Engine 1 is positioned in a special location that provides a 1000-gallon water tank to assist in neighboring, unhydranted towns, as well as undyrdranted areas within Manchester. 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.

 Engine 1

2019 Pierce 1,000g Top-Mount Pump

 Engine 9

2016 Marion Class A Pumper 

 Station 2

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.

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. Additionally, Station 2 houses "Truck 12", a 1999 Pierce 105' Aerial - Quint as a spare piece. 

Truck 2

2018 Pierce 105' Aerial - Rescue 

Truck 12

1999 Pierce 105' Aerial - Quint 

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

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 2017 Marion Class A Pumper. Additionally, Station 3 houses a 2012 Sutphen Class A Pumper utilized as a spare piece. 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 Buckley Elementary School, the town’s Senior Center, numerous businesses comprising the town’s Industrial Park, and a number of condominium and apartment complexes. Furthermore, the apparatus is responsible for a large part of the downtown area in a second due capacity.

 Engine 3

2017 Marion Class A Pumper

Engine 11 (Spare)

2012 Sutphen Class A Pumper

Station 4

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 2021 Pierce 1,000-gallon Class A Pumper. 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). 

 Engine 4

2021 Pierce 1,000g Top-Mount Pump

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 1

Station 5

Station 5 is located in the North end of the town. 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 2003 E-One Mid-Mount Tower Ladder. The station is staffed with one Lieutenant, one Firefighter/Paramedic, and two Firefighter/EMT's. 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.

Truck 15

2003 E-One HP95 Mid-Mount

 Station 6

Station 6 is situated at 138 Main Street and previously served as the headquarters of the 8th Utilities District Fire Department. The building was dedicated to Ted Lingard, who served as Chief of the 8th District from 1968 to 1980. The location has always been an active facility for the north end community and has hosted traditional Town events such as the annual Peach Festival. Station 6 is located centrally in the town of Manchester and, due to its location, the station is a bustling hub for both medical and fire responses. Though its response area primarily encompasses residential areas, Engine 6 also responds to some retail and industrial zones. “6s” serves as the home for several emergency response vehicles. The station is equipped with Engine/Medic 6, a 2021 Marion Class A Pumper that also carries cold water/ice rescue equipment. Additionally, it houses Engine 8, a Pierce Class A Pumper, Unit 8, a mini-pumper, and UTV 2, a utility vehicle equipped with a small water tank and pump for brush fires.

 Engine 6 

2021 Marion Class A Pumper 

Engine 8 

2015 Pierce Class A Pumper

Unit 8

 UTV 2 

Station 7 

Station 7 has a colorful history; originally built by the South Manchester Fire Department, it was the subject of a territorial dispute in the 1970’s over whose response area it was. The issue was addressed in court and the 8th District prevailed. SMFD’s Station 5 became the Districts Station 2, and remained that way for nearly 50 years, until the departments merged in 2023. Situated at 1039 Tolland Turnpike, “7s” is home to Engine/Medic 7, a 2023 Marion Class A Pumper, equipped with a full array of rescue equipment and gear. Station 7 is also home to Engine 10, a 2012 Sutphen Class A Pumper utilized as a spare piece. The station is strategically positioned at the north end of town, close to major highways surrounding Manchester. The area is bustling with industrial and retail activity and boasts numerous large-scale condominium housing units.

 Engine 7

2023 Marion Class A Pumper - Rescue 

 Engine 10

2012 Sutphen Class A Pumper