Manchester Fire Department

05/14/2026

Congratulations to Battalion Chief Jason Mikalonis, as he works the last shift of a nearly 28 year career. Hired in August of 1998 by then Chief Weber, Jay operated as a Firefighter Paramedic assigned at Station 2 on the original Medic unit, followed by the Tac, Engine 2 and Truck 2. He precepted dozens of new paramedics and was instrumental in the EMS committee, as well as the high school mentorship program. Jay was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018 and assigned to Engine 1, before again being promoted to Battalion Chief in 2024. As a BC, Jay served as Car 22 before assuming his current role as Car 5, the EMS Chief of the Department. In his tenure Jay accumulated multiple awards including the Distinguished Service Award, multiple Unit Citations, multiple Life Saving awards, and the Leadership in EMS Award in 2025. Chief Mikalonis leaves the Department having attended thousands of incidents and caring for countless numbers of people. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement

05/13/2026

Last night at 1941, Manchester Fire responded to the rear of 110 Slater Street for a long fall. Companies arriving found that a party had leaned against a fence over a vertical embankment, and the fence gave way, causing them to fall approximately 20 ft onto a hard surface. The location was otherwise inaccessible and required that the victim be raised vertically from the space. Manchester Fire responded with a technical rescue assignment, with Engine 7 and Truck 2, along with Engines 1 and 6 and Truck 5. Companies secured a hoisting system utilizing Truck 2's ladder as a high point and created mirrored rope systems. The patient was packaged, extricated and transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries, cared for by Fire Department Paramedics. The extrication took approximately a half hour and no other injuries were sustained.

05/11/2026

When this family ducked out of their nest and found themselves stuck in a storm drain on Hilliard St on Mother's Day, Engine 7 was able to rescue Mom and all her ducklings and give them a ride back to their pond.

04/13/2026

Today marks the beginning of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and it's an opportunity to recognize the dedicated and tireless work of our dispatchers. In Manchester, Fire Alarm dispatchers answer literally hundreds of thousands of calls annually, providing EMD and pre-arrival instructions for countless emergencies as well as providing communications and operational support for every single incident. From everyone at Manchester Fire, thank you. We couldn't do it without you.

04/11/2026

This article, published by the Journal Inquirer this morning, incorrectly identifies the party in question as a former Manchester Fire Department Fire Chief. The party referenced in the article is a former Chief of the 8th Utilities District Fire Department, which was dissolved during the merger between Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and the 8th Utilities District in July of 2023. In addition, the photo used is an archived photo of Manchester Fre Rescue EMS Engine 3, taken prior to July of 2023, and not an 8th Utilities District Engine. No member of the Manchester Fire Department, past or present was involved in the incident described in this article.

During the dispute, the former fire chief used his truck to push the cyclist out of the roadway into the southbound lanes and then off into the shoulder, police said.

04/05/2026

This morning at 0039, Manchester Fire was dispatched to 42 Bluefield Dr for an automatic fire alarm. While enroute, companies were advised that there was possible fire in the building, with a victim trapped. The first company arrived on scene at 0044 and found fire out two windows on the first floor, extending to the roof of a two story, 12-unit apartment building. A second alarm was transmitted, bringing all 7 Manchester Fire companies to the scene. Companies initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and a focused search. A victim was found trapped in a first-floor apartment and was rescued by firefighters from Truck 2. The victim was located in critical condition and resuscitated by Firefighters on scene before being transported to a local trauma center, cared for by Paramedics from Ambulance Service of Manchester. There were no other injuries to occupants or Firefighters. The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes. While three of the 12 units sustained significant damage, the building is not a total loss. Five residents have been displaced are presently being assisted by the Red Cross. The Fire Marshal's Office, along with Manchester Police Department has initiated an investigation for origin and cause. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Jurisdictional coverage was provided by East Hartford Fire Department and South Windsor FIRE Department.

03/15/2026

Some good news from the highway yesterday: Last night at 2106, Manchester Fire responded to the exit 60 off-ramp from 84 West for a possible childbirth. Engine Medic 7 arrived on scene and found that the newest addition to a family just couldn't wait for the hospital. Mom delivered her own baby just before units arrived on scene. Mom and baby were cared for by Fire Department Paramedics, along with Ambulance Service of Manchester and Connecticut State Police. After being evaluated and treated, both Mom and a healthy baby girl were transported to the original hospital, with both doing well.

03/08/2026

When you change your clocks, check your smoke and CO alarms. Safety is always in season

03/04/2026

At approximately 0130 this morning, Manchester Fire responded to Interstate 84 westbound in the area of exit 62 for this motor vehicle accident. A tractor trailer struck a vehicle in the HOV lane, before breaking through the barrier of the overpass, approximately 50 ft above the ground. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Luckily there was no fall from the overpass and no extrication was required. One patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, cared for by fire department paramedics. A second patient refused transportation against medical advice. Connecticut DEEP responded to the scene for a significant oil spill and Connecticut DOT responded to assess the damage to the overpass and make repairs. The vehicles have been removed.

02/28/2026

Shift 1 Truck 2 with a quick table top drill on the man in machine kit. This kit combines various tools, shields and equipment to extricate victims physically trapped in mechanical and industrial systems.

02/25/2026