MANCHESTER – Two of Manchester’s volunteer fire companies are adding new trucks to their arsenals and honoring those who risk their lives every day to protect the lives of others.
The bright red aerial ladder truck and black and yellow pumper truck were dedicated to Manchester Volunteer Fire Company #1 and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company in honor of all emergency service personnel, as well as the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks – including 343 New York firefighters and paramedics.
The two trucks drove out to the September 11 town council meeting for their dedication, and residents took a field trip out to the cul-de-sac of the Municipal Complex to hear the dedication.
“There’s about $2 million dollars in this driveway,” said Council President Samuel Fusaro, as residents attending the meeting made their way outside to see the trucks.
Mayor Kenneth Palmer recalled the 9/11 attacks, remembering all the firefighters, police and emergency service personnel who ran into flames and risked their lives. He then presented a proclamation to Dale Herbert of Manchester Volunteer Fire Company #1 and Mike Trimarchi of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.
“Today is a great day to pass on these vehicles and trust them to the people in our town that run into the fires and take care of the things that we all run away from – those guys run to.”
Mayor Palmer said a large portion of the trucks was financed through a grant that Trimarchi and Herbert took the initiative to win. During the meeting, council also approved a bond ordinance to acquire another truck that the mayor said would go toward Whiting’s fire department.
