New and Current Vehicles on Display at Fire Department Open House

The Fire Department open house Sunday gave the community an opportunity to inspect the Fire Department's new vehicles as well as take in important fire safety lessons.

A Kubota All-Terrain rescue vehicle, donated to the Manchester Fire Department in memory of the late Cameron LaDouceur, was one of many vehicles on display at this year's fire department open house. LaDouceur family members were on hand to thank the community for all of the effort and money donated to memorialize Cameron, who died this past April when he lost control of his ORV on private property on Peckins Road in Sharon Township.

The ATV was officially presented to Manchester Township by the Dutchmen Fire Fighters Association during the open house.

In addition to admiring the big red trucks, and hearing from local dignitaries, children had a chance to learn about fire hazards they can watch out for at home. They also got to escape from a room filled with simulated smoke, eat donuts, squirt a fire hose, and drink local cider.

"The 'smoke house' safety trailer was loaned to us by the Dexter Fire Department," said chief Mike Riesterer. "This trailer is a great tool to help children and adults alike learn what to do in case of an emergency in their home."

Riesterer added that the station where kids can squirt a fire hose is always one of the most popular spots during the annual open house event. This year, about 60 visitors attended throughout the three-hour event.

"I was very pleased with the turnout," Riesterer said of his first open house as Fire Chief. "We also had great weather, lots of cider and doughnut holes, and the fact that everything was gone at the end of the day speaks to the success of this event."

In addition to food, residents and children who attended received a wide variety of home safety information. Youngsters were given fire helmets and stickers to help them remember the lessons that they'd learned, and safety pamphlets were distributed to parents and other adults to provide up to date information about fire safety.

Also on display at Sunday's event were the new rescue truck and a new trailer, both of which had been on order for quite some time.

"The rescue truck just got delivered last week and will replace one of our older trucks in service," Riesterer said. "We still need to transfer some of the tools, and have some mounts and other equipment on order. In addition, since it will respond as a basic life support unit, it needs to be inspected by the state." He added that the firefighters hope to have the rescue vehicle in service by early November.

"It was kind of like Christmas for us," he said with a chuckle, "when all of the vehicles have arrived within the past couple of weeks. Especially since the rescue truck has been on order for a year, it was very exciting to receive all of them within such a short period of time."

The annual Open House is held in conjunction with Fire Safety Week in October.

One of the most informative and well attended exhibits at Sunday's open house was the Fire Room trailer, on loan from the Dexter Fire Department.

The opportunity to get up close and personal with bright and shiny fire trucks is always a huge attraction for children and adults alike.

Manchester Township board members, firefighters, and the LaDouceur family attended the presentation of the ATV to the township.

The well equipped All-Terrain Vehicle purchased in memory of Cameron LaDouceur was presented to the township by the Dutchmen Firefighters Association.

The Kubota ATV purchased in memory of Cameron LaDouceur was a big attraction at Sunday's open house.

A wide variety of pamphlets and other information was available free of charge to local residents attending the open house.

It's always exciting when you get a chance to sit in the driver's seat of a fire truck!

Firefighters' gear is always ready at a moment's notice--just like Manchester Fire Department's volunteers.

Local firefighter John Ulicne talks to children in the smoke house trailer to help them learn strategies to successfully escape from a smoke-filled room or building.

A beautiful autumn day was the setting for the Manchester Township Fire Department's annual open house.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.