MEET THE FIRE POLICE

As a special unit of the Fire Department, the members of the squad are often the first people the general public will meet when coming upon a fire or accident scene. Fire Police are specially trained in traffic control and it is their special and privileged duty to protect fire fighters, EMS personnel and equipment, while also protecting the general public from the danger of the fire fighting operations.

To get better acquainted with us and what we do, here are some commonly asked questions………

WHAT ARE FIRE POLICE?

According to Section 209-C of the municipal law of the State of New York: “the authorities having control of fire companies many organize within such companies, fire police squads, so organized at such time as the fire company or an emergency rescue and first aid squad of the fire company, are on duty, or when, on orders of the chief of the fire company of which they are members, they are separately engaged in response to a call for assistance (they) shall have the powers of and render services as peace officers. A member of a fire police squad shall take an oath of office as a fire policeman (and) such oath shall be filed in the office of the town clerk and satisfactorily complete a training course offered by the State Office of fire prevention and control.

WHAT DOES PEACE OFFICER STATUS DO FOR THE FIRE POLICE?

Fire police only when on duty are accorded peace officer status. That means fire police have the authority to enforce the law and make arrest. Disobeying a fire police officer’s request is the same as disobeying a sheriff’s deputy or a state trooper. Assaulting a fire police is a FELONY.

WHAT DOES A FIRE POLICE OFICER DO?

In most cases your fire police are veteran members who know the procedures and members of their fire department well, and very familiar with the community in which they serve. Fire police respond as volunteer fire fighters, first and foremost to whatever call for assistance is received by the fire company. While driving to the scene, we utilize our portable radios to communicate with one another and to the chief officers on the scene. If the chief officer at the scene deems it necessary, the fire police will then secure the scene, the best they can, to control traffic and the public.

WHY MUST TRAFFIC BE CONTROLLED?

Most people today don’t realize that so many fires involve hazardous materials, and smoke can be so toxic that perimeter of some kind is usually maintained around any scene for safety of all concerned. On major roads, this usually means detouring traffic, because fire department personnel and equipment are blocking lanes of traffic. All attempts are made to keep traffic flowing. “Rubber neckers” are a serious threat as they can hit a fire vehicle or fire personnel while gawking at what’s going on around them. (these are the people who always claim the never saw us trying to detour them.) We try to keep spectators away from major auto accidents, which usually means detouring traffic as well. We try to afford accident victims some privacy during extrication and treatment. If you  are badly injured would you want a total stranger gawking at you? Major accidents also require the investigating agency(sheriff, State Police) take numerous photos and measurements, so they rely upon the fire police to help preserve the scene.

HOW DO I RECOGNIZE A FIRE POLICE OFFICER?

It varies from department to debarment. Some fire police wear yellow with orange striping fire coats and orange traffic vests. The traffic vests are mostly in warmer weather, along with a baseball cap with Fire Police on it. In the fall or colder weather you will se us in our fie coats and bunker pants. We are the one standing in the road or intersection telling you, the motorist which way to detour. We use flash lights, orange cones and road flares to try and increase our visibility and assist you.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I COME ACROSS A FIRE OR ACCIDENT WITH A FIRE POLICE OFFICER ON DUTY?

First and foremost – BE ALERT!!! SLOW DOWN!!! AND PLEASE TAKE SOME TIIME TO LEARN ALTERNATE ROUTES TO YOUR DESTINATION.

We as fire police know some people become confused and angry when their driving is interrupted. We don’t claim to be perfect, and yes, there will be times when we just don’t get our message across, so please ask us questions. If a detour must be made, we always try to set up an “around the block route” – but keep in mind a country block can be five miles long. If you need more specific information pull up slowly to the officer, indicate that you need some assistance, and we will be more than glad to help you. (Remember we can’t stop and chat with you about an alternate route to Aunt Minnie’s house when traffic is backed up for a mile during rush hour. If you have special needs or concerns or an emergency situation-it is YOUR house on fire or YOUR child in an accident, PLEASE identify yourself to the fire police we will put you in immediate touch with the proper authorities and save you from stumbling about in panic where you may injure yourself or someone else. The fire police are proud of their membership and the job we do to help the fire department. We always welcome any assistance to help us maintain the professional image we have been striving for.