PURPOSE: To support emergency responders and the public at large at emergency scenes, as well as at other events and situations, by providing scene safety and security, traffic control, and crowd control.
Special Fire Police, also known simply as Fire Police, are sworn in Officers who wear an official badge and have limited law enforcement powers. We serve our community at large by responding to and performing our duties at a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property, to special events, to routine citizen requests for information or assistance. The types of emergencies and/or events we support include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) (Emergency Scene)
- Various Fires, including Structure, Vehicle, and Brush Fires (Emergency Scene)
- Crime Scenes, such as Active Shooter Situations (Emergency Scene)
- Traffic Control at other special events such as school homecoming parades (Non-Emergency)
- Supporting the scenes of Motor Vehicle Accidents, along with the various types of fires, make up the overwhelming majority of the situations we respond to.
- Fire Police perform within the scope of Pennsylvania Title 35-Section 1201-Subchapter D, as well as the policies and procedures of the Athens Township Volunteer Fire Company. Fire Police must be versatile and intuitive. We may be required to perform many different duties depending on the type of event or emergency we are responding to. These duties include:
- We maintain security and crowd control at an emergency scene or crime scene so that other first responders (Fire, Police, EMS) can carry out their duties in a safe and secure manner, while working to provide for the safety of general public.
- We make a safe path for Emergency Apparatus and Responders arriving at an emergency scene.
- We help Police and Fire move a tow truck into position at an MVA
- We direct motorists around the emergency scene or explain to them the reason for the delay. As best as we can, we provide information on alternate routes.
- We provide safe clearance around a helicopter landing zone so no one is injured by flying debris or a possible landing accident.
- We protect the public from a police incident where there may be live fire.
- We assist the public in evacuation and clearance of a Hazardous Materials incident.
- We provide a compassionate face and a helpful voice to assist those people directly affected by the emergency. We help them as best we can while they’re having a bad day.
- We are the face that the friend or relative of an accident victim sees as they approach with apprehension for their loved ones. We calm them and provide a safe place to park. We walk or guide them to command to assist them in dealing with the tragedy.
- We assist in the identification of possible arson suspects in a suspicious fire scene.
- When we observe what we believe to be an impaired motorist at a scene, within our limited authority, attempt to detain that motorist until a police officer is available to address any motor vehicle code infractions.
- We welcome the men and women of the media as they attempt to do their jobs. We allow them to do so in a limited area for their safety and the safety of all first responders on the scene.
- We welcome the Red Cross when needed and provide a safe place for them to work.
- We are dedicated, trained and prepared to work hard to solve any problem we face.
- We are the public relations arm of the fire company, dealing with the public, sharing what information we can, assuring them that fire fighters know their job, and providing a safe experience for the fire fighters, EMTs, Media, victims, and the public.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To support the department in all activities including emergency response, training, fundraising, maintenance, and other special activities. Required to attend business and other organizational meetings. The Volunteer Fire Police are expected to respond from home or work to Department calls as best they can.
The Volunteer Fire Police may drive their own Personally Owned Vehicle (POV), or ride in a Fire Company Emergency Vehicle (EV) in response to fire, MVA, or other emergency event.
Individuals fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a Volunteer Fire Police will at all-times present themselves in a courteous, professional and responsible manner.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A SWORN IN FIRE POLICE OFFICER:
- Must be a regular member of the Fire Company (see next section), be nominated by the Fire Company to become a Special Fire Police Officer, and then successfully complete the 16 hour Basic Fire Police Course, usually held over a weekend. The Fire Company covers the cost to attend this class.
- Must be confirmed (approved) by the local Township Board of Supervisors as a Special Fire Police.
- Must be sworn in by the local Township Supervisors Chairperson, Magisterial District Judge, or Notary, and sign the Oath of the Special Fire Police.
Once sworn in, the Fire Company will issue the new Fire Police Officer their Badge.
QUALIFICATION AND SPECIAL SKILLS TO BECOME A REGULAR MEMBER:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Be in good physical condition able to stand for extended periods
- Pass a background check, Pennsylvania Childline Check, and Arson certification
- Pass the interview by membership committee
- Pass a probationary trainee period of 6 months from joining (steps to become a Fire Police Officer can be completed during the probationary period)
COMPANY TRAINING AND REGULAR MEETINGS:
- The Volunteer Fire Police is required to attend as often as possible regularly scheduled training (every 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday night) in order to maintain the high level of knowledge, skill and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a Fire Police, as well as learn how we can effectively support the Firefighter.
- One monthly business meeting (every 2nd Wednesday night of the month at 7:00pm)
FIRE POLICE MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO:
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions using the English language.
- Maintain physical conditioning necessary to perform efficiently in emergency situations.
- Learn the geography of the area, location of important buildings and the street system.
- Participate in training drills; attend school and classes on Fire Police and Traffic Incident Management, and other classes associated with recognized Fire Police standards. It is also highly recommended Fire Police attend some Fire Fighter related training with the goal of learning how to support Fire Fighters at an emergency scene.
- Learn and apply technical information pertaining to Fire Police duties.
- Analyze and cope with a variety of emergency situations calmly but effectively and to have good situational awareness so as to be able to provide precise information related to the emergency event.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public; to work effectively as a team member.
- Operate all Fire Company Fire Police related equipment and apparatus.
- Perform necessary maintenance, testing and care of fire hoses, trucks, ladders, and auxiliary equipment and apparatus.
- Prevent waste and damage of materials, supplies, and equipment.
- Be will to help with performing general maintenance and minor repairs to station facilities; perform assigned janitorial activities and minor maintenance and painting.
- Perform community service activities.
- Maintain necessary records and reports, incident forms, and daily shift operation logs, to accommodate needs of the department including computer data entry.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed primarily in the fire station, active roadways, mass casualty, fire scenes, and extra ordinary events as they occur. Performing tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion. While Fire Police are usually working at the edges of emergency scenes, the possibility of exposure to casualties at the scene, emotional stress, patients with contagious diseases, and terminal illnesses does exist.
MENTAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this position, the Fire Police Officer will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Responding to an emergency scene does carry certain risks and dangers These include fires, equipment, traffic, smoke inhalation, falling objects at emergency scenes, and exposure to health risks may occur. The main risk for Fire Police is being struck by a vehicle, however, proper training, and proper performance of our duties will minimize such risks. Most injuries and/or deaths occur when responders are not following procedures and using their training.
RECOMMEND PERIOD OF COMMITMENT: The department requests that new firefighters commit to serving at least 2 years after initial training is completed.
SUPERVISION: Provided by line officers
BENEFITS: In addition to great personal satisfaction about serving society we pay for all training expenses; Accidental Death and injury insurance; personal assigned protective gear.
EVALUATION: At end of first 3 and 6 months (Probation Period); once annually thereafter by the Chief and Assistant Chief Officers.