MONTROSE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE POLICE TRAINING

FIRE POLICE Members of a Volunteer Fire Department. Members of a Volunteer Fire Department. May receive special police training. May receive special police training. May have sworn Police powers. May have sworn Police powers..

FIRE POLICE The primary role of Fire Police is to provide support for operational requirements at moderate to major incidents. The primary role of Fire Police is to provide support for operational requirements at moderate to major incidents. Still important at minor incidents. Still important at minor incidents.

The Idea Behind Fire Police During times of an emergency, the response system can become overwhelmed. During times of an emergency, the response system can become overwhelmed. To that end, having a trained, equipped group of responders who can supplement or replace entirely police and fire department personnel at scenes is an invaluable tool to the Incident Commanders. To that end, having a trained, equipped group of responders who can supplement or replace entirely police and fire department personnel at scenes is an invaluable tool to the Incident Commanders.

FIRE POLICE Responsibilities Traffic Control Traffic Control Crowd Control Crowd Control Fire scene security Fire scene security Incident scene security Incident scene security Apparatus security Apparatus security Station security during calls for service Station security during calls for service

FIRE POLICE May also assist regular police agencies when needed. May also assist regular police agencies when needed. Road closures Road closures Traffic control Traffic control Crowd control at public events Crowd control at public events Missing persons searches Missing persons searches Parade details Parade details

FIRE POLICE At fire or incident scenes, Fire Police are to:

Communicate with the Fire Dept. OIC (or designated officer) if Fire Dept. resources are present. Communicate with the Fire Dept. OIC (or designated officer) if Fire Dept. resources are present. If assisting Police, without the presence of Fire Dept. personnel, they will take direction from the PD OIC. If assisting Police, without the presence of Fire Dept. personnel, they will take direction from the PD OIC.

DUTIES OF THE FIRE POLICE The exact role of Fire Police varies between Fire Departments. The exact role of Fire Police varies between Fire Departments. Some general roles are the same. Some general roles are the same.

TRAFFIC CONTROL Managing the flow of traffic, around or through the immediate vicinity of an emergency scene. Managing the flow of traffic, around or through the immediate vicinity of an emergency scene. Road closures Road closures Lane closures Lane closures Diversions (Detours) Diversions (Detours)

SCENE SAFETY Fire Police are utilized to assist in ensuring that the scene of an incident is safe for those working in the vicinity. Fire Police are utilized to assist in ensuring that the scene of an incident is safe for those working in the vicinity. Fire Dept. personnel Fire Dept. personnel EMS personnel EMS personnel Police Dept. personnel Police Dept. personnel Members on the public Members on the public

CROWD CONTROL Among those who may approach the scene of an incident Among those who may approach the scene of an incident Residents Residents Owners Owners Occupants Occupants Relatives Relatives Spectators Spectators The Media The Media

CROWD CONTROL (continued) Fire Police are in a position to keep them from coming into harms way. Fire Police are in a position to keep them from coming into harms way. Keep them from hampering with the duties of the Emergency workers on scene. Keep them from hampering with the duties of the Emergency workers on scene. Often the first point of contact. Often the first point of contact. Should have good public relations, without saying too much. Should have good public relations, without saying too much.

SCENE SECURITY May be asked to provide a “scene guard”, to prevent looting, theft or tampering of evidence at an emergency scene. May be asked to provide a “scene guard”, to prevent looting, theft or tampering of evidence at an emergency scene. May be asked to “keep an eye on” Apparatus or tools used at an Emergency scene. May be asked to “keep an eye on” Apparatus or tools used at an Emergency scene.

POLICE ASSISTANCE Often called upon by Police or other Law Enforcement Agencies to provide manpower. Often called upon by Police or other Law Enforcement Agencies to provide manpower. Although many of the tasks, already mentioned, may fall within the responsibility of the Police. Although many of the tasks, already mentioned, may fall within the responsibility of the Police. Fire Police, when on scene, May allow the Police to concentrate on other specific areas of their expertise. Fire Police, when on scene, May allow the Police to concentrate on other specific areas of their expertise.

FIRE POLICE Who can be in the Fire Police Who can be in the Fire Police Any Active member of a Volunteer Fire Department Any Active member of a Volunteer Fire Department Interior Interior Exterior Exterior Young/ Old(er) Young/ Old(er)

If there are no Fire Police available at an Emergency Scene. If there are no Fire Police available at an Emergency Scene. Any firefighter, interior or exterior, may be asked to fill in. Any firefighter, interior or exterior, may be asked to fill in. It is important that all firefighters know the roles and responsibilities of our Fire Police. It is important that all firefighters know the roles and responsibilities of our Fire Police.

FIRE POLICE FACTS

Fire Police exist in fourteen states of the United States including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, as well as New York. Fire Police exist in fourteen states of the United States including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, as well as New York. Other countries, such as New Zealand. Other countries, such as New Zealand. They must take an oath of office and be sworn in by a Municipal clerk, Magistrate, Judge or Justice of the Peace - depending upon jurisdiction. They must take an oath of office and be sworn in by a Municipal clerk, Magistrate, Judge or Justice of the Peace - depending upon jurisdiction. At Fire Dept. incidents, Fire Police assume either the full or necessary powers of an Auxiliary Police Officer. At Fire Dept. incidents, Fire Police assume either the full or necessary powers of an Auxiliary Police Officer.

Some texts list Burlington County, New Jersey as forming one of the first Fire Police units. Some texts list Burlington County, New Jersey as forming one of the first Fire Police units. Laws in New Jersey State code, as early as the 1850s, supported fire police in their duties. Laws in New Jersey State code, as early as the 1850s, supported fire police in their duties.

FURURE PROSPECTS The Fire Service Act 1975 is currently under review, and is due to be replaced with newer, more modern legislation in the coming years. If Fire Police are not retained in law, existing Fire Police Units will become Operational Support Units, retaining their role, but having a change in legal powers as specified by the change in law. Their existing powers of a constable may be considered unnecessary when their key roles (as listed above) are considered, so this may not cause any significant change in Fire Police Operations - just in their name. The Fire Service Act 1975 is currently under review, and is due to be replaced with newer, more modern legislation in the coming years. If Fire Police are not retained in law, existing Fire Police Units will become Operational Support Units, retaining their role, but having a change in legal powers as specified by the change in law. Their existing powers of a constable may be considered unnecessary when their key roles (as listed above) are considered, so this may not cause any significant change in Fire Police Operations - just in their name.