SUV Given To HOPE For New Hampshire Recovery By Manchester Fire Department

MANCHESTER, NH — The Manchester Fire Department on Monday gifted an SUV that had finished its lifecycle with the department to HOPE for NH Recovery.

The “HOPE Car” will start a new life aiding in the transport of those individuals in the city living with substance use disorder and seeking recovery services, something the non-profit has been needing to enhance its mission.

Standing next to the HOPE Car in a bay at the Central Fire Station on Merrimack Street surrounded by fire department officials and HOPE team members, Mayor Jay Ruais said, “This gift exemplifies who we are as a city. We identified a need, offered solutions, then worked closely with our community partners to solve a problem. HOPE for NH Recovery is one of those strong partners doing amazing work. We’ve seen overdose and fatal overdose numbers dropping dramatically in Manchester over the past two years. And, that only happens through collaborative efforts between groups like HOPE and our fire department’s Squad One. They’re on our streets every day saving lives. I am confident the HOPE Car will make a difference in in their ability to expand their efforts and success.”

Fire Chief Ryan Cashin echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying,” The Manchester Fire Department is proud to support the ongoing relationship between HOPE for NH Recovery and the city of Manchester. Hope is a vital resource to the city, and the Fire Department will continue to support this amazing organization in any way possible.”

He added, “After several meetings with the team at HOPE, Executive Director Randy Stevens kept coming back to how a vehicle would be a game changer. Addiction is an insidious disease, and the ability to move someone in the window where they want help is invaluable.”

Cashin credited the Fire Department’s Grant team for identifying funds to replace one of the city’s aging emergency management vehicles, which allowed the city to donate the SUV at no cost to our taxpayers.

“This is a triple win, as a valuable non-profit resource was able to increase its ability to work in the community at no cost to the city while maintaining the same level of service at the fire department. I am hopeful that as the city continues to find ways to partner with organizations like HOPE, we can build on this success,” he said.

Cashin also gave special thanks to retired MFD Lt. Hank Balch, from Green Bear signs, who donated the signature lettering on the HOPE Car, the fire department’s grant team members Assistant Chiefs Lamothe, Flurey, and Guay, along with Melissa Paulhamus, and Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Stowers for identifying grant funds for this project.

Stevens put the HOPE Car in perspective: “It’s incredible to be here with the support of the city behind us. We can now pick people up and get them to treatment and out of that unstuck place,” he said. “It is a tremendous opportunity for the people in this community who are suffering and vulnerable and need this kind of support. We so appreciate this collaborative relationship and hope to continue to build on it. We are incredibly grateful.”

Submitted by the city of Manchester