This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Fire Department Fire Police Members Sworn In

Hardworking Peace Officers want the community to understand their role.

You've seen a white van with flashing red lights and the word "Fire" on the side of it, people wearing a bright yellow reflective vest and waving a red wand resembling a Star Wars Light Saber to detour you away from the scene. People often wonder who these people are and if they are allowed to tell you how to drive your vehicle, ride your bike or even walk.

These dedicated people are volunteer Fire Police. The Sayville Fire Department Fire Police Squad has been playing a critical but often overlooked role in public safety since the 1920s. Sayville's Fire Police Squad members are Peace Officers and are specially trained in traffic control and scene safety. Typically, they are members of the fire department who served the department as firefighters but are moving on from the strenuous task of being a firefighter to the important role of Fire Police member.

Their primary role is to divert traffic safely around any emergency scene. Not only are they keeping the road clear for responding emergency vehicles, but they are also positioning themselves so that emergency service personnel are out of harm's way. Unfortunately, there have been many deaths to emergency responders while operating at an emergency scene. Years ago, the Sayville Fire Department experienced a loss of a member after he was struck by a vehicle while operating at emergency scene. Sayville's Fire Police take their job very seriously because they know the importance of their job. 

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Unfortunately, they don't get a lot of recognition from the public because they aren't doing the glamorous job of firefighting and the public just doesn't know about them. Their fellow firefighters sure appreciate their role very much because while they are performing dangerous firefighting and rescue tasks, they know that their Fire Police Squad is helping to keep them out of harm's way. 

You might also see Fire Police supplementing Suffolk County Police Department traffic control efforts during community events with the same goal of keeping people out of harm's way from traffic. 

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Recently, Sayville Fire Department Fire Police members were sworn in as Peace Officers by Patricia Curci of the Islip Town Clerk's Office.

So, the next time a member of the Fire Police diverts you or waves you on, please observe their instructions. They are out there keeping everyone safe including you, the driver. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.