Fire Police

As a member of our Fire Police team, you’ll assist in traffic management, crowd control and general assistance at emergency scenes and non-emergency events. We’ll train you as a NYS certified Fire Police Officer. This is a great opportunity for those who want to actively contribute but cannot meet the extreme physical challenge that structural firefighting entails. Fire Police Only members are not required to certify in firefighting courses but are required to receive basic scene support operations training and then initial and refresher training in Fire Police duties.

What You Can Expect from Us!

EXPECTATIONS for Fire Police Assigned Personnel:

New Fire Police Personnel must complete a NYS Certified Fire Police course within the one-year probationary period and be duly sworn as a NYS Fire Police Officer.
New Fire Police members must attend at least six (6) regularly scheduled or special Fire Police drills (Training) during the one-year probation period.
Fire Police Personnel must complete a NYS Certified Fire Police course every three years to stay current as a duly sworn NYS Fire Police Officer
Active Fire Police must respond to 10% of the total (Fire, Rescue and EMS) calls per year.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Volunteer Fire Police serve the community by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for information or assistance.

Volunteer Fire Police usually work under the supervision of a company officer and are expected to function effectively as part of a highly trained team. They are also expected to perform their duties under adverse conditions and physical conditions that may pose a high risk of personal injury or exposure to hazardous conditions or infectious diseases.
Volunteer firefighters are required to attend regularly scheduled training in order to maintain the high level of knowledge, skill and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a firefighter in accordance with state law, protocols, and company standard operating guidelines.

The work performance of a volunteer firefighter is continuously evaluated by company officers for general knowledge, skill proficiency, and ability to work as part of a team. Any deficiencies are corrected through coaching, mentoring and remedial training.

Often first on scene, fire police are able to report status, suspicious cause & origin and mark the location of the structure, driveway, apartment entrance, etc. for arriving fire, EMS and police units.

An often overlooked facet of fire police operation is that it provides an interface between the fire department and the public. The public seldom have occasion to talk with firefighters while they are working at an emergency.

Fire Police at times have the opportunity to speak with bystanders and answer questions about the operation, their volunteer fire department, or simply give directions or suggest possible detours. During these times their professionalism, appearance, and demeanor reflects directly on their department and the entire volunteer fire service.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Deal with the public courteously and effectively.
Maintain harmonious working relationships with coworkers.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Understand and execute specific orders or instructions.
React quickly and calmly in a stressful and hazardous condition.
Ensure that all work is performed in a safe manner, flowing all applicable safety guidelines. Work in real and potentially hazardous conditions to the extent of possible serious injury or loss of life.
Recall facts and conditions observed while under severe physical and emotional stress.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Fire Police provide traffic and crowd control at fires, motor vehicle collisions, emergency medical calls, mass casualty incidents (MCI) drills and other fire department operations which would include:

Protecting firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel
Protecting bystanders and crowd control at emergencies
Protecting each other’s safety while on a traffic control post
Protecting fire department equipment
Assisting with police investigations by maintaining a safe perimeter
Routing responding emergency vehicles to their assigned locations
Rerouting non-emergency traffic away/around emergency operations
Locate and mark downed energized electric service or other hazards to first responders
Utilize department apparatus as command posts to relay radio communications to/from the Incident Commander
Utilize department apparatus to distribute equipment, gear, portable radios, etc. to traffic control posts
Deploy department apparatus utilizing lights and equipment at road closures
Escort those individuals authorized by the Incident Commander, through fire lines
Turn, back-in & stage ambulances, tankers, and other vehicles when required by space limitations
Conduct area evacuations & maintain in/out traffic at Haz-Mat decontamination centers
Establish ground control and mark the landing zone (LZ) for a requested med-evac helicopter
Assist with locating woodland smoke sightings and/or brush fires
Participate in lost person searches as it relates to traffic and perimeter control
Close roads & mark downed trees, wires, etc. during or after weather emergencies
Assist at fire department funerals, wakes and memorial services
Assist at fire department parades and inspections
Assist with state training courses involving the use of public thoroughfares for training purposes
Participate in Fire Prevention Week & other public service education programs
Continue to attend advanced fire police meetings, training classes and seminars
Under the mutual aid plan, assist neighboring fire police response teams when requested
In addition, they may also establish and maintain:
- a clear unblocked entrance and egress to and from an incident scene for use by apparatus
- a perimeter around incident scenes preventing unauthorized or unsafe entry
- fire lines & outer Haz-Mat cold-zones
- a fire police officer at the Incident Command Post to deploy arriving fire police units & advise of incoming mutual aid or equipment so they can be directed to their assigned locations
- a fire watch for as long as required
- an unbroken chain of evidence until it can be surrendered to police or fire investigators
- Fire Department control of a possible crime scene enabling an immediate police investigation.
- staging areas for apparatus, triage, Red Cross, news media, etc.
- security at a firehouse, department event, carnival, PD investigation, etc.
- a pool of trained reserve officers to relieve first due company’s fire police or town police
- a safety watch at fire police posts beyond the immediate emergency area affording the Incident Commander additional reliable information otherwise unobtainable
- a crowd-watch for suspicious spectators, drive-bys, etc.
- a written record of personnel, witnesses, evacuees, observations, etc.
- the privacy and dignity of victims and their families
- custody of valuables and personal property
- communication with police, highway, towing and recovery and other support agencies