Yesterday, we shared our exciting news about being awarded a FEMA SAFER Grant, which will allow Manchester Fire to hire four additional full-time firefighters — but do you know why this is such great news?
Meridian Fire Department recently conducted a series of 18 live-fire simulations, which revealed that :
- Victim removal was 27 % faster, and overall search & rescue operations were completed about 30 % quicker with four-person staffing.
- A study by the Meridian Fire Department found that four-person crews saw an 11 % improvement in getting water on the fire compared to three-person crews.
- A 4-person team achieved a 74 % improvement in establishing a continuous water supply.
- The takeaway: Seconds matter. More hands mean faster rescue, better fire control, and safer outcomes.
Blume, Kristopher T. “Seconds Matter: Performance Outcomes and Justification for Four-Person Engine Staffing.” Firefighter Nation, 21 July 2025, https://www.firefighternation.com/fire-leadership/seconds-matter-performance-outcomes-and-justification-for-four-person-engine-staffing/
Why it matters here in Manchester:
In the last 365 days, Manchester Fire has responded to 254 simultaneous calls — situations where two or more emergencies happened at once.
This new staffing level ensures that our response to your emergency — whether you’re the first caller or the second — will be faster, safer, and more effective.
With four firefighters on duty around the clock, we’re better equipped to protect the residents and visitors of Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Thank you for your continued support as we take this important step forward in public safety!
