MANCHESTER — The city’s fire and police departments joined with state and federal agencies to form an arson task force to help find those setting arson fires and prevent further ones.

Police Chief David J. Mara and Fire Chief James A. Burkush enlisted the help of the state Fire Marshal’s office, FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to tackle the recent rash of arson fires in the city, police Lt. Maureen Tessier announced Tuesday.

“This collaborative project will allow us to broaden the scope of our investigations with an influx of manpower, expertise and equipment, maximizing our ability to locate, identify and investigate potential suspects,” she said.

These agencies bring resources to the table that will enable the task force to identify potential suspects and define likely areas of the city and times arsonists would strike, she said.

The city’s highway department also will be a task force partner, Tessier said. Highway departments workers will be picking up mattresses, furniture and other discarded items and debris left outside buildings and in alleys throughout the city, she said.

“It’s a major part of the problem. It is the fact that people are dumping things illegally in these alleyways which ultimately provides fuel for these fires,” she said.

Police patrol officers also will be targeting those who dump debris and junk in alleys illegally, Tessier said. At least one city man has received a summons for dumping several mattresses on Litchfield Lane Oct. 16, she said.

District Fire Chief Edward O’Reilly said 55 arsons have been reported so far this year. They account for about half of all fires, he said.

O’Reilly said the fires deemed arson or suspicious remain under “active investigation.” No arrests have been made to date, he said.

Recently, a rash of six fires considered arson or suspicious occurred early Oct. 16 in the Lake Avenue, Central and Laurel streets area. Most were small and caused minor damage.

O’Reilly said police and fire investigators have made no arrests and have no suspects.

Tessier urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activity and anyone seen dumping materials in alleys or around buildings.

Anonymous tips for cash rewards also may be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or manchestercrimeline.org. Tips also may be made to the Arson Tip Line at 644-3473. Three local businessmen earlier this month posted $7,500 in reward money for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the arsons.