MTFR Fire Station 204 is located in the central part of Manheim Township. The Station sits along RT. 23 and provides protection to many residential developments, office complexes and Lancaster Bible College between the Oregon Pike and Rt. 23. Station 204 houses Engine 204 and the Tiller Ladder, Truck 204. Truck 204 is also tasked as the rescue unit for MTFR and carries a full-compliment of tools like a Rescue Squad.
History:
In late 1919 a dairy fire in the area of Eden spurred residents to create a fire company. The Eden Fire Company No. 1 was organized in 1920 and officially received its charter in 1921. The fire company was granted use of a community meetinghouse to operate from. The meetinghouse was a two-story structure at the location of the current fire station. The company’s first Fire Chief was Elmer Lipp. Their first fire truck was a 1921 Model T Ford fire truck that featured three 45-gallon chemical tanks. It was purchased for $2,500.
The meetinghouse station stood until it was razed in 1969 for a new fire station that featured two full-length drive-thru apparatus bays, a meeting room, kitchen, restrooms and storage space. The fire station expanded in 1984 adding another apparatus bay, a meeting room and several offices. In 2002 it underwent a significant reconstruction project to include a new wing with several dormitory style rooms to accommodate the fire company’s thriving firefighter live-in program.
In 2006, the membership decided to reduce its fleet due to increased operational costs and reduced manpower. The result was the design and construction of a tractor drawn aerial that consolidated the functions of its 1990 rescue unit and 1994 ladder truck. This new versatile unit cost just under $1 million. The New Holland Pike Station currently houses Truck 204 and Engine 204.
