History

The first fire police officers in the state of Pennsylvania were appointed in Meadville, Crawford County in 1896. They had no authority other than that which could be provided by their fire company and the municipality in which they served. Legal recognition,Title 35, Act 74 of June, 1941, was passed to grant Special Fire Police officers necessary police power to provide such protection. Fire Police could only act in emergency situations ONLY when their fire department was involved. In 1949, Act 388 was passed and Fire Police were given power to act without fire company involvement, providing a request to do so was made by a municipality.

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Fire Police Duties

Regulate traffic at fires. This includes traffic at the scene of any emergency to which your department has been called, until the termination of the event by the Fire Chief, Incident Commander, or the local police agency.

Protect firefighters while fighting fires. To provide adequate protection for firefighters so that they may do their job without interference.

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Protect the general public at the scene of a fire. Unauthorized persons on the fireground or at a traffic incident can complicate operations. Tact and courtesy must be employed to keep them safe and away from harm or obstructing fire operations.

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.

Protect the equipment of the fire company. Keep all non-firefighters away from, and especially off of, department vehicles, and away from equipment. Do not allow anyone to damage any equipment. Prevent looting.

Enforce the laws of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania relating to fire department activities, fire fighting 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 intrusion are only some of the laws we must be firm in enforcing at the emergency scene.

Cooperate with all regular police agencies. Police agencies operating at an emergency incident are our partners in taking care of the situation, keeping the scene safe, up to and including the termination of an emergency event. Police agencies work with Fire Police since it allows limited resources to be freed up for other duties.

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Protect the property at the scene of a fire until properly relieved from duty and responsibility shifts to other police agencies, or to the owner. Allow no one to enter the emergency scene without proper identification or credentials. Be alert. We may see or hear something from a person that may have a direct bearing upon the incident. Protect evidence, and report anything unusual. DO NOT move anything at an emergency scene, such as damaged vehicle parts, until directed by the investigating police agency.

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 incidents. The police agency will usually direct 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 without the fire department.)

Fire Police Code of Ethics

As a fire police officer my fundamental duty is to serve mankind as I protect my brother and sister firefighters in their efforts to save life and property. To this end:

•I will be constantly mindful of the welfare and rights of others.•I will be impartial in my treatment of all persons coming under my jurisdiction.•I will be firm, but also courteous and helpful to all and my feelings shall not influence my decisions.•I will never be vulgar or profane in my speech or actions when on duty.•I will cooperate fully with my superiors, 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.

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