Fire Police Thank You!

We at Red Lights For Firefighters would like to take this time to acknowledge a few related professions, Fire Police, Auxiliaries, and Dispatchers. These are vital and essential services provided that are rarely mentioned or recognized, and one that we here at Red Lights For Firefighters have not discussed, so today we will.

This will be a three-part appreciation segment, as each of these essential services deserves full recognition, and a better knowledge by the community of what they do.

We begin with Fire Police in this first segment. Fire Police units provide a valuable service of scene safety for emergency responders (Fire, EMS, and Police). Whether upon their arrival they release the police department unit that was assigned to provide traffic control so they can assist at the incident scene, assist passing motorists, or close down the affected streets, this provides assurance to the incident commander that the required tasks are being handled, and that the scene is as safe as possible for the first responders.

The task of a Fire Police member has several dangerous aspects. These men and women are one of the first emergency service members seen by the public. Many of the residents and / or passing motorists often have one thing on their mind, “If this road is closed to traffic, how do I get to where I need to go?” During this thought process, many become irate, not knowing what alternative route to take, or not being able to have access to their residence and / or businesses. These aspects can make the incident scene that much more of a safety hazard and the Fire Police helps to alleviate some of this frustration, therefore helping to create a safer environment for our first responders to work.

The services provided by Fire Police units are not just limited to what we have outlined, as many departments have policies / procedures that outline what additional services they can, and will, provide.

Those of us here at Red Lights for Firefighters want to salute those who have completed the required training and taken the oath of office, as required, by law, to be certified as Fire Police here in NYS and across the world.

It is important that if you come upon an emergency scene where Fire Police is currently stopping or diverting traffic that you please be patient and follow their directions for the safety of emergency responders and the community.

The information below was taken from Wikipedia. Anyone who has any further information on fire police activities and duties, please let us know

“Fire police exist in fourteen states of the United States including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. They must take an oath of office and be sworn in by a municipal clerk or official, mayor, magistrate, judge, sheriff, or justice of the peace - depending upon jurisdiction and local authorizing laws. At fire service incidents, fire police assume either the full or the necessary powers of a police constable.

Some texts list Burlington County, New Jersey as forming one of the first fire police units. Laws in New Jersey State code as early as the 1850s supported fire police in their duties.

New York

Under New York State law, Fire Police must complete a 27-hour Fire Police certification course outlined by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice (NYS DCJS). After which, each fire police member is required to take an oath of office by either the AHJ (Chief/Assistant Chief) of the supporting fire company or the town, county or city clerk’s office and a copy of which must be kept on file in the town, county, city clerk's office in the municipality in which they serve. The training coordinator must fill out and submit all paperwork concerning the course study and attendance to DCJS for each individual fire company. At that time, each individual person is now registered and certified as a Peace Officer by the State of New York. Fire police in New York State are peace officers with full police powers (including that of arrest) when acting pursuant to their special duties. These duties are granted under Section 209 (c) of the General Municipal Law. As New York State peace officers, they are required to take an oath, a copy of which must be kept on file in the town clerk's office in the municipality in which they serve. As mandated by Executive Law, Section 845 (Chapter 482, Laws of 1979 and Chapter 843 Laws of 1980), they are also listed with the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers at the New York State, Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Office of Public Safety in Albany, NY. Fire police in New York State are peace officers with full police powers (including that of arrest) when acting pursuant to their special duties.

Their duties are as follows:

To regulate traffic at emergency scenes.

In order to protect firefighters from outside interference, each New York State fire police detachment regulates traffic at the scene of any emergency to which its respective department has been called until relieved by the arrival of a fire chief or the regular police agency.

To protect the general public at the scene of a fire.

Residents, owners, occupants, relatives, transients, spectators, and even the news media tend to hamper firefighting operations; therefore, New York State fire police use tact and courtesy to prevent them from being harmed or obstructing firefighting operations.

To keep fire areas clear for firefighting purpose.

New York State fire police provide room for apparatus, emergency vehicles, service vehicles, and firefighters' vehicles to, among other things, park, operate, turn around, perform tanker operations, and lay hose lines for firefighters.

To protect the equipment of a fire company.

New York State fire police keep all non-firefighters away from (and especially off) department vehicles and equipment in order to prevent damage and looting.

To enforce the laws of New York State relating to firematic activities and firefighting techniques.

The reckless disregard for safe driving within an emergency area, driving over fire hoses, spectators' disrespect for fire lines, and non-emergency vehicles intrusions, comprise just the tip of the iceberg of undesirable situations that New York fire police must prevent.

To cooperate with all regular police agencies.

Owing to their common causes of protection, safety, and order, New York fire police cooperate with regular police agencies.

To protect the property at the scene of a fire until the chief releases the fire police from duty and turns the responsibility over to other police agencies or to the owner.

To preserve the crime scene until the proper authority arrives on scene.

Although, New York fire police prevent unauthorized entry into the scene, they remain alert to the fact that bystanders may possess critical information. In addition, they protect the scene's evidence and report unusual events or happenings.

To carry out the orders of the chief who is in supreme command at all fires and emergencies.