Manchester Firefighters' Memorial Garden The Manchester Firefighters Memorial Garden was dedicated on September 11, 2002 in memory of ALL THAT ANSWERED THE FINAL ALARM.  Located at Fire Station No. 5, 331 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT, the garden is a mix of memorials and plantings adjacent to the American flag. A New York memorial consists of two retired twin alarm boxes depicting the North and South World Trade Center Towers.  On either side of the Towers, engraved in glass, are the names of all 343 New York Firefighters lost on September 11, 2001, including their rank and assignment.

A Worcester, Massachusetts Memorial consists of a wooden gate with the names of the six Worcester Firefighters lost in a warehouse fire on December 3, 1999.  Bushes spelling out a large W6 accompany the gate for an aerial tribute.

A stone and flowering tree were dedicated to West Hartford Firefighter Pat Brooks who died in the line of duty November 12, 2002.

On September 11, 2005, a Manchester Memorial was dedicated to the four South Manchester Firefighters who died in the line of duty.  An eternal hydrant flows nearby to honor our own, Edward Post, Hose Co. #3 - April 20, 1921; George Bassett, Ladder Co. #1 - April 7, 1923;  Laurence Freiheit, Engine Co. #1 - March 9, 1973; Frank Ennis, Hose Co. #2 - March 30, 1980.

A tragic fire resulting in collapse claimed the lives of nine Charleston, South Carolina Firefighters in June 2007.  The names of those who perished will forever be remembered on the granite stones arranged in a large symbolic “9”, which adorns the garden lawn.

Another new addition is a beautiful bronze bell mounted on a granite stone, which was donated by two local citizens.

The centerpiece of the garden is a large, hand-etched, memorial stone depicting Manchester’s twin quints, Old Glory and our American eagle.

Hundreds of visitors stop by yearly to visit the garden and its on-duty Firefighters to reflect and to remember all who have answered the final alarm.

The garden has always been self-sufficient and donations are always welcome. 

Directions: Exit 63 off Interstate 84 (one minute off highway).  Going eastbound, right off exit, left onto Tolland Turnpike.  Going westbound, right off exit, right onto Tolland Turnpike.