Manheim Township Fire Rescue began to come into existence as a result of a presentation given in November of 2007 to Manheim Township’s three volunteer stations: Eden, Neffsville and Southern Manheim regarding the future direction of fire rescue services. After gauging the response of our members, the planning process for creating a 10-15 year strategic plan, to guide the future actions of Manheim Township Fire Rescue, began.

In January of 2008 a 13 member Strategic Plan Steering Committee was selected. The Committee was comprised of three representatives from each volunteer fire rescue station, two citizens-at-large from the community, and two representatives from Manheim Township government. In addition, two non-voting members from the East Petersburg Fire Company were also on this committee. The Committee later expanded to include three members from the Manheim Township Ambulance Association as well. The Committee held public meetings on the second Thursday of every month in the Commissioners meeting room at the Township building.

After almost 18 months of work and over 10 draft documents, a presentation was made to the Board of Commissioners. After some revisions, negotiations, and funding changes, the final version of the Manheim Township Fire Rescue Strategic Plan was adopted by municipal resolution 2009-38 on August 10, 2009.