Vestal Fire Police Squad

  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Fire Police

History

New York State’s first use of fire police was in 1839 in New York City. The “Fire Patrol” was to protect the interests of the Fire Underwriters. The Association of Fire Insurance Companies employed 40 men as a fire police force whose duty was a night patrol of the mercantile district of New York City.

Vestal

In 1952, when the Vestal Fire Department was incorporated, Article 8 of the constitution and by-laws stated that “As provided in Section 209-C of the General Municipal Law and Company By-Laws. Fire Police shall operate under procedure as set up by the Department Advisory Board”.

In 1965, Article 8 grew into 7 sections related to the fire police.

  • Section 1, Squad
  • Section 2, Membership
  • Section 3, Number
  • Section 4, Approval of Membership
  • Section 5, Captain of Fire Police
  • Section 6, Duties
  • Section 7, General Municipal Law

In 1965, their duties at this time stated “Duties shall be to act as traffic officers, prevent the hose from being driven over, keep unauthorized persons away from burning buildings or from structures in which fire has been extinguished, guard salvaged goods and see that firemen are not hampered in their work. Such other duties as may be provided by law or that may be applicable to them.”


Today’s Duties

To act as peace officers keeping unauthorized persons away from emergency scene, see that firefighters are not hampered in performing their duties and controlling traffic at emergencies, and shall operate under the Incident Command System. Such other duties as directed by the incident commander.

  • Fire Police Are Firefighters First
  • Traffic Control
  • Scene Safety
  • Scene Security
  • Traffic Control
  • Scene Safety
  • Scene Security
  • Be Aware of suspicious activity around the scene
  • May be asked to perform Firefighter duties
    • Fill Air Bottles
    • Set Ladders
    • Other misc. duties
  • Firefighters and Fire Police mesh as one cohesive unit
  • Firefighters wishing to be assigned to the fire police squad in Vestal must be 21 years of age or older
  • Members must have successfully completed NYS Firefighter 1 or NYS Scene Support and NYS Fire Police Course
  • They shall also take an oath provided in General Municipal Law, Section 209-C

The fire police captain, and the fire police lieutenants in his absence, under the direction and supervision of the fire officers, shall have charge of and direct the activities of the fire department fire police squad, and shall serve as a Fire Advisory Board staff member.

If this is something you feel interested in doing, stop down to one of your local fire stations and inquire. Monday Evenings after 6pm is when all the stations are usually manned for training or meeting night. Or contact the Vestal Fire Department Business Office.

We are always in need of help!



VEHICLES

View all Apparatus

Brush 32-1

2004 Ford 350XL Super Duty
250 Gallon Water Tank
Fire Police and Brush Fire Equipment

Item Thumbnail

Brush 32-2

2009 Ford F550
250 Gallon Water Tank, Fire Police & Brush Fire Equipment

Item Thumbnail

Utility 32-3

Station #3

Item Thumbnail

Utility 32-4

Station #4
Utility 32-4 - 2009 F-350 V10 a Traffic Detail equipped vehicle mainly reserved for Fire Police use. It is also equipped with Water packs, axes, and rakes for use as a Brush Fire Vehicle.

Item Thumbnail