The MFD Fire Police Squad

The history of fire police can be traced back almost as far as the history of firefighting itself. Even in the days of the bucket brigades and horse drawn hose carts, the predecessors of today’s fire police were needed to ensure the safe arrival and free movement of the responding firefighters.

In 1939, Section 209-c of the General Municipal Laws of the State of New York was enacted to provide for the forming of fire police squads within the volunteer fire departments and companies in NYS. Members of these squads were given the power of peace officers when on duty as fire police.

Within the next ten to twenty years, the MFD’s by-laws were amended to provide for the Mechanicville Fire Police, to out-line their duties and to set guidelines for the creation of a squad. It is not certain when the fire police in Mechanicville actually formed in accordance with those by-laws. However, it is known that in preparation for the city’s bicentennial parade in 1959, the fire police were equipped with the latest gear designed for traffic police officers. Fire Police were on the scene through all of the big fires of the 50’s and 60’s.

In 1971, a hand full of fire police reorganized the Mechanicville Fire Police Squad (MFPS). On October 20, 1971, the first set of by-laws was adopted. Based on those by-laws, the first annual meeting was held in November of 1971.

In the years that followed, priority was given to the needs for efficient equipment and protective clothing. For the most part, equipment and gear were provided from the members’ own fund raising efforts. A large emphasis was also placed on the need for proper fire police training. Within the first few years, a fire police manual was established. In 1979, an imaginary city was created for classroom type training. This type of training was used for several years as a tool for providing situations in which the fire police might have to confront, allowing the fire police to discuss and resolve problems as a team.

Although the active membership has not realize the abilities of a full squad of twenty-five members, as provided for in the by-laws of the Mechanicville Fire Department; during the 1970’s and 1980’s, the squad did maintain an adequate roll of active members. However, with the decline of active firefighters and the aging of the active fire police, the squad felt a greater decline of active members in recent years. Today, the squad is being held together with only a few active members. In time, it is believed that the need for fire police will become more evident and interest in the fire police squad will once again be an effective branch of the fire department.

In 1963, the Saratoga County Volunteer Fire Police Association, Inc. was formed, providing for training programs for the county fire police, promoting interest in the fire police and it’s needs and to provide social fellowship for its members. Members of the MFPS have had an active part in this association from the beginning. See the association website at
http://www.geocities.com/scvfpa2002/scvfpa.html

Likewise, in 1953, the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York was formed. The association consists of some 2,500 members of statewide fire police. See the association website at www.VFPASNY.com

Additionally, a former captain of the squad is currently the chairperson of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association’s Fire Police Committee. See the association website at www.HVVFA.org

MFPS Fire Police Manual’s “Ten Duties of the Fire Police”:

1. To follow the directives of the fire chief, incident command officer and/or the ranking fire police officer, according to the chain of command.
2. To support all Federal, State and Municipal laws to the best of their ability.
3. To be prepared, knowledgeable and materially, at all times and for any emergency.
4. To always conduct themselves with dignity, authority and courteously.
5. To cooperate (when ever possible) with the regular police.
6. To ensure the prompt and safe arrival of all responding authorized vehicles and personnel to the scene of an alarm.
7. To ensure the free movement of all authorized vehicles and personnel to, from and around the scene by establishing and maintaining fire police lines.
8. To maintain safe conditions within these lines, for all authorized vehicles and personnel, spectators, parked cars, etc.
9. To report any unusual circumstances in or around the scene to a ranking officer.
10. And above all – TO WATCH OUT FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.