Frank Denzler
The independent volunteer organization known as the Manilla Community Fire Department has been a fixture in the rural part of west-central Rush County since 1948. The department is responsible for covering 75 square miles located not only in Rush County but also parts of nearby Shelby County and includes roughly 2,200 county residents.
Working from an annual budget of $50,000 the organization has sought a means to make necessary upgrades in recent years and replace outdated and obsolete equipment.
During 2007 the department replaced a 1976 ambulance that served as a rescue truck with a 1996 vehicle. Like most rural and smaller departments, due to cost constraints they are forced to purchase used vehicles.
Currently there are five vehicles in operation: a 1974 truck, a 1975 four-wheel drive grass rig, a 1984 truck, a 1996 rescue vehicle and their newest addition to the fleet, a new 2009 fire truck.
“This is a really good day for the department and the community. This vehicle will increase our capabilities when the need arises. It has foam capabilities and is the latest thing out there on the market,” fire chief Dean Miller said.
The vehicle will replace a 1974 1,500 gallon insulated milk tank truck that firemen in the department converted and put into service 35 years ago. With a top speed of 35 mph, the former milk truck was not equipped with seatbelts, was difficult to handle on county roads and it proved to be difficult to fill during winter months due to its elliptical shape.
The new truck can pump 750 gallons per minute and meets or exceeds all NFPA standards.
“This is the first new fire truck the department has purchased since I came on board and I have been here for 35 years,” Miller said.
The Manilla volunteer fire department boasts a roster of nearly 25 members with more than half actively responding at a moment’s notice.
“We make more than 100 runs a year, although a number of those calls are medical in nature. We cover all of Union and Walker Township as well as Orange Township,” fire fighter Darwin Brewer said.
The department also provides mutual aid to other departments when needed in Morristown, Waldron, Arlington, Saint Paul, Milroy, Rushville and Shelbyville.
Four years ago, in 2004, the department moved into their new building north of SR 44 in the rural community. The structure also serves as a community building.
“We have had funerals, weddings and receptions here, not to mention our monthly firefighters’ meeting that is held the second Wednesday of each month,” Brewer said.
According to Miller and Brewer, the new truck will allow the department to respond quicker and with a larger volume of water.
The new piece of equipment is not only an upgrade for the Manilla department but also for the 13 other departments they provide with mutual aid.
Funding for the department comes from township funds (15 percent), 20 percent is raised through fundraisers such as their annual fall fish fry and car show and periodic breakfasts, 10 percent is generated from fire runs, with the majority of funding generated from community donations and totaling nearly 55 percent.
“The community will see a benefit from this piece of equipment and we are fortunate to have found the means to purchase it,” Miller said.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
