The Manston Fire Museum is housed in the old RAF School building with the boundary of the Ministry of Defence Fire Services Central Training Establishment, Manston, Kent.

The Founder and Chairman of the Museum, Steve Shirley, is a serving RAF Sergeant Fire-fighter who was until recently an Instructor based at the school.

Steve started collecting fire-related artefacts as a hobby some 20 years ago and now the collection runs into many thousands of individual items. On his posting to Manston, it became obvious to everyone that a permanent home for the collection was a priority. With the kind permission of the Commandant of the Fire School, the collection was housed in its present building. The MOD provides the building and the essential services but the museum remains self-supporting in all other respects.

Volunteers staff the museum. Some look after the day-to-day running of the museum whilst others support the museum by working on the vehicles and displays in their spare time.

Some of the museum vehicles are used for various activities, ranging from weddings through to participating in various shows during the summer months as well as providing vital fire cover when requested to do so at local events (see Safe and Sound).

The main exhibition halls within the museum house the display of thousands of items which have been collected by Steve together with items which have been donated or loaned by friends of the museum from around the world.
Many photographs and posters are on display alongside models, badges, patches, pins, uniforms, helmets, prints, extinguishers and of course really serious fire-fighting equipment and appliances, both civilian and military, ranging from 1886 to the present day.

The museum shop is well stocked with clothing, framed prints, toys, souvenirs and many other items that are not available on the high street and we also operate a mail-order service.
During your visit to the Fire Museum, the sights and sounds of today's airfield fire-fighters under training are never far away and as a bonus, weekday visitors may catch a sight of today's most modern airfield fire-fighting vehicles being put through their paces.

Access to the museum is by prior arrangement due to security restrictions, however, the procedure is quite straightforward. At present, the museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 - 15.30 and on Friday mornings from 10.00 - 12.30. Visitors are requested to book a visit in advance by ringing 01843 823351 Ext 6394 a day or so in advance. A few simple details will be taken over the phone, and then on the day all you'll need to bring with you is proof of identity.
There are two other museums located nearby, so why not make a day of it?

Please visit the museum stand or come to chat to us after our arena displays to find out more.