Fire Police

Below is some information about Fire Police in Pennsylvania, their duties and penalties for not obeying their instructions.

Duties of the Fire Police

1. To regulate traffic at fires.

This shall include traffic at the scene of any emergency to which the department has been called, until discharged by the chief, or the regular police agency.

2. To protect firefighters while fighting fires.

The main objective is to provide the adequate protection for the firefighters so that they may do their job without interference of others.

3. 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 the operations. Tact and courtesy must be employed to keep them safe and away from harm or obstructing fire operations.

4. To keep fire areas clear for fire fighting.

Apparatus, emergency vehicles, service vehicles and firefighters' personal vehicles all need room to park, operate within, turn around, run tanker operations and lay hose lines for fire-fighting operations. Always keep this space available and clear.

5. To protect the equipment of a fire company.

Keep all non-firefighters away from and off of department vehicles, and away from its equipment. Also not to allow anyone to damage any equipment, and prevent looting.

6. To enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relating to fire department activities, firefighting techniques and emergency vehicle driving.

The reckless disregard for safe driving within an emergency area, driving over fire hoses, spectators disrespect for fire lines and non-emergency vehicle intrusions are only some of the laws that must be enforced in controlling a scene with respectability.

7. To cooperate with all regular police agencies.

The Fire Police and regular police are all there for the same purpose and reasons - to provide protection, safety and to prevent a situation from getting out of hand, therefore they must cooperate with each other by working together effectively and efficiently.

8. To protect the property at the scene of a fire until the Chief turns the responsibility over to other police agencies or to the owner.

Allow no one to enter within the scene without proper identification or credentials. They may see or hear something from a person that may have a direct bearing upon the situation, protect the scene's evidence, and report unusual events or happenings.

9. To assist the Chief at all fires and emergencies.

The fire chief is in charge of the fire department when called to duty. The fire police take direction from the fire chief when on the scene of most fires and other emergencies. The local police will usually dictate the duties of the fire police when control of traffic or a crime scene is required. (In Pennsylvania the Chief of Police of the local municipality has full authority of the Fire Police when at a scene by themselves without the fire department.)

What should you do as a motorists when you come upon an accident or fire scene?

First, - SLOW DOWN!

Second, - Keep moving if directed to do so by the Fire Police Officer and focus on your driving and not at looking at the accident or fire scene.

Third, - Stay alert and watch Fire Police directions.

Fourth, - Be Patient! There will be times when you may need to sit in traffic for a period of time. The Fire Police are aware of your need to get where you need to be and will do everything they can to keep your delay to a minimum.

What should you do if you are directed by a Fire Police Officer down a road you are not familiar with?

Fire Police are trained in many aspects of traffic control and in all cases; it is their duty to protect the firemen and the motoring public at an accident scene. You may be asked to detour around an accident. If you do not know the area, you may slow down and briefly stop and ask directions. In most cases, the officer will give you quick directions. If you require a longer explanation, you will be asked to pull your car off to the side of the road and wait until the officer can come over to your car to assist you.

What if you live near and accident or fire scene?

People are by nature curious. If you do not have any business at a fire or accident, then please stay away. There may be hazards present that will cause injuries. So if a Fire Police advises you to stay back, please do so.

What if you have a loved one involved?

Fire Police are well aware that you may have a love one involved in the accident or fire. IN ALL CASES they must protect the public from harm at a scene. When you approach a scene where your loved one may be involved, be sure to stop when asked and advise the Officer who you are, such as a parent, husband, wife etc. Wait with the officer until told it is safe to proceed into the scene.

You should be aware that the Special Fire Police are Sworn Officers of the local government.

Pennsylvania Law Title 75 Sections 3327 and 3102 provides for fines for people who fail to obey Fire Police instructions or indications relating to traffic flow. These fines start at $85.00. In an emergency response area the fines are doubled.

Fire Police have the authority to enforce the law and make arrests. Disobeying a Fire Police Officer's request is the same as disobeying a Sheriff, Local Municipal Officer or a State Police Trooper. Also assaulting a Fire Police Officer is a Felony.

Fire Police Law

The enabling legislation that allows fire police to be appointed and gives them their police powers:

Act of June 18, 1941, p.l. 137 and latest Amendment Act 122 of 1980

Pennsylvania Code, Title 35, Section 1201 through 1203

1201. Nomination and confirmation; powers.

Any volunteer fire company in any city, borough, town, township or home rule municipality may nominate any of its members as special fire police. All special fire police so nominated shall, before they enter upon their duties as such, be confirmed by the mayor of the city, the mayor of the borough or town, the chairman of the board of commissioners or supervisors of the township, or the chief executive officer of a home rule municipality, as the case may be. When so confirmed and sworn and displaying a badge of authority they shall have full power to regulate traffic and keep crowds under control at or in the vicinity of any fire on which their companies are in attendance and to exercise such other police powers as are necessary in order to facilitate and prevent interference with the work of firemen in extinguishing fires and, in addition, shall have the police powers necessary to perform their duties when functioning as a special fire police at any function, event, or parade conducted by, and under the auspices of, any volunteer fire company, or any other event, function, or parade conducted by an organization other than a volunteer fire company, providing the request to perform these duties is made by the governing body of the city, borough, town, township, or home rule municipality, in which the event will be conducted, or when accidents, floods or any other emergencies require performance of such traffic control and crowd control duties. Such duties may be performed without prior request from the governing body until the arrival of proper State, city borough, town, township, or home rule municipality, police authority until the emergency no longer exists. A person functioning as special fire police, and performing a duty under any of the above conditions, shall be deemed to be performing the duties of his employment. Fire police performing such duties shall be identifiable by, at minimum, the wearing of a distinctive arm band or hat or uniform or insignia. Under no circumstances shall this act be construed to grant special fire police the right and/or power to use firearms or other weapons in the exercise of special fire police powers granted hereunder.

1202. Power in another city, borough, town or township.

Whenever any volunteer fire company is in attendance on a fire, or when such special fire police are on special duty as herein before provided, such special fire police in any city, borough, town or township other than the one in which such fire company is organized shall have the same power and authority in such other city, borough, town or township as they would have in that by which they were appointed.

1203. badge; control.

All special fire police when on duty shall display a badge of authority and shall be subject to the control of the chief of police, if any of the city, borough, town or township in which they are serving, or, if none, of a member of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Fire Police Code of Ethics

As a Fire Police Officer my fundamental duty is to serve mankind as I protect my brother firefighters in their efforts to save life and property.

To this end:

I WILL be alert and constant in my duties at all times

I WILL be impartial in my treatment of all persons coming under my jurisdiction.

I WILL never be vulgar or profane in my speech or actions when on duty.

I WILL cooperate fully with my supervisors, fellow officers and all law enforcement agencies, to provide greater protection to the public and the fire department I serve.

I WILL strive to become more proficient in my duties as a Fire Police Officer by diligent study and training at every opportunity.

I WILL regard my badge of a Fire Police Officer as a symbol of trust from my State, Community and my Fire Department and act accordingly.

I WILL constantly strive to obtain these objectives as I serve as a Fire Police Officer.

Website Administrator: Randy Minninger