What Are Fire Police?
Fire Police in Pennsylvania are Volunteer Fire Company members, sworn in by the Mayor or Borough Council President, Township supervisor or the local District Justice of the Peace. They come under direct control of the Local Police or State Police. The Commonwealth of PA in June of 1941 passed a law (Title 35) enabling Special Fire Police Officers to have the necessary police power to provide protection. Fire Police were legally created to act in emergency situations and then only when their fire department was involved.
While most people think that Fire Police are just firefighters, these amendments widened the scope of authority of Fire Police in PA, to have limited police powers. Although they have no authority to make arrests, they do have the right to detain someone, within reason. They have earned the right to wear their ‘badge of authority.
Fire Police will control the flow of traffic to ensure emergency vehicles have a quick, safe entrance and egress to the incident. They may halt traffic, block a road or detour you in another direction, because of the situation and the dangers involved. They are Not there to make you late for work, dinner, or a date. They are taking orders from the police authority in charge.
All Fire Police Officers are sworn officers of the law and when on duty shall display a badge of authority and shall be subject to control of the chief of police of the city, borough, town or township in which they are serving, or if none, of a member of the Pennsylvania State Police. They are highly skilled and trained in their vocation and have their oath on file with their local municipalities. Disobeying a Fire Police Officer is the same as disobeying a Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy or State Trooper and assaulting one is a felony.
Who are our local Fire Police?
The Borough of Plum authorized a Fire Police Squad operating under the general day to day operations of the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department to serve the borough as a whole; despite which district they are in. The squad operates under the radio station designation of station 395. Each member of the squad must complete the state mandated certification program as well as local requirements.
395-1 Fire Police Captain Monte Myers395-2 Fire Police Lieutenant Peter Troxell
395-3 Fire Police Officer Robert Webb
395-4 Fire Police Officer Christine Perry-Gallegher
395-5 Fire Police Officer Mark Breter
395-6 Fire Police Officer (OPEN)
395-7 Fire Police Officer (OPEN)
395-78 Fire Police Officer (OPEN)
