The Manheim Township Fire Rescue crews respond to more than just fires. Our crews also respond to assist the area ambulances on medical calls. Our 4 fire stations are located throughout the township and allow our firefighters to respond quickly to medical calls and begin medical care before the ambulance arrives. Our are able to use oxygen, Narcan and defibrillators to provide care in critical cases. When not on emergency calls the fire crews train at many locations around the township. This provides them with information about streets, buildings and other hazards that they can use when responding to emergencies. The firefighters also provide fire safety programs throughout the township at schools, churches and businesses. Our fire stations are staffed 24 hours a day. This means that the firefighters live in the station for long periods. They can sometimes be seen at the grocery store picking up items for their meals while on duty.
Manheim Township Fire Rescue has volunteer positions for firefighters and non-firefighting administrative volunteers. Interested people can apply online at mtfr.net. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Manheim Township Fire Rescue provides all needed training for volunteer firefighters. Most training is done locally.
Manufacturers recommend that all fire extinguisher be replaced on a regular cycle.
-Disposable fire extinguishers ( those with plastic release levers) should be replaced every 12 years.
-Rechargeable fire extinguishers (those with metal release levers and of larger size) should be replaced every 6 years.
-Fire extinguishers should be checked every year, or more often, to be sure they are properly charged.
Residential type fire extinguishers, those with plastic release levers, are usually disposable. In Lancaster County fire extinguishers can be recycle at the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Agency, Household Waste facility on Harrisburg Pike. If you have fire extinguishers in a business or commercial setting, fire extinguisher service vendors can be found online or yellow pages.
The number of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors is set by local codes and ordinances. In Manheim Township, this information can be found on the manheimtownship.org website . You may also call the Manheim Township Codes Department at 717-569-6406 or the Manheim Township Fire Rescue Fire Marshal at 717-397-5881.
For residential use, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors that are purchased should have the Underwriters Laboratories label on the packaging.
For residential use, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at almost any retail store. Just be sure to look for the UL label.
In Manheim Township, both the Codes Department and the Fire Rescue Fire Marshal perform building inspections. The Codes Department inspects during construction of new buildings or homes, when an older building or home changes occupancy or is renovated and when a complaint is made. The Fire Marshal makes fire safety inspections of all commercial properties on a regular schedule or when a complaint is made.
As part of the Fire Services Strategic Plan that was created in 2010, the township purchased a new fleet of fire trucks. Prior to this the, the 3 volunteer fire companies that served Manheim Township had fire trucks that were red and different shades of yellow. When planning the new fleet, the committee felt it would be a good idea to 1 color scheme for the fire trucks. Blue and white was chosen because it stood out from other fire trucks and happened to match the colors of the Manheim Township School District sports teams. The MTFR fire trucks are now recognized far and wide for their distinct paint scheme.
Follow @MTFireRescue on twitter.
