Manheim Township Fire Rescue Foundation Forms

According to Alice Pinto, president of the Manheim Township Fire Rescue Foundation, the idea for starting an organization to aid Manheim Township Fire Rescue (MTFR) firefighters in need of equipment or other funding has been around for a while. "When the three firehouses that were independently volunteer could no longer be independent, we had some money left," explained Pinto. "We thought we should use (the funds) for the fire service, and we started the foundation."

The roots of the idea date back more than a decade to the time when the three stations - Neffsville Station (now No. 207), Southern Station on Fruitville Pike (now No. 201), and Eden Station on New Holland Pike (now No. 204) - were brought together under Manheim Township. However, it is only in the last few years that the drive to become a 501(c)(3) charitable organization resulted in the newly created foundation.

In addition to Pinto, board members currently are vice president Renny Magill, secretary Krista Murphy-Denlinger, treasurer Melissa Kneasel, MTFR liaison Adrian Borry, and members at large Ed Berilla and Megan Tomsheck.

Magill noted that the organization may be asked to help fire companies provide educational resources to the community, among other financial requests. "We fill a gap where other sources of funding do not exist," he explained. "We are a very local partner to them."

"We support all three stations when they have no other means of support," added Pinto, who said that the MTFR liaison will attend meetings and make presentations about fire company needs. Pinto mentioned that the organization is already helping the three stations to standardize lock box keys to use for entry to commercial buildings when there is a fire. Having different keys could slow fire company response time and even result in confusion. The foundation will replace all boxes and require a standard key to avoid those issues. In addition, the foundation will purchase furniture for the new Richmond Square station so that all the stations will be similarly equipped.

As the foundation works to define its role, Pinto noted that she is thankful for the board members who have been at work for the organization for some time. "Without them, we would not be nearly as far along as we are," she said. "They know what to do, and they have done (it), and we appreciate them and their assistance and dedication."

Magill added that the board is also thankful for community support. "We are grateful," he said. "Out of the blue, we continue to get contributions, which means people are still thinking about supporting the fire company."

The foundation mailing address is 1840 Municipal Drive, Lancaster. Readers who wish to learn more about the organization may email foundation@mtfr.net or call 717-397-5881.