Bristol Twp. Fire Police Look For New Members

Extreme temperatures, heavy rain, blowing snow, and anything else Mother Nature can throw at them doesn’t stop members of local fire police departments.

They often stand out in all types of weather and have the rough task of telling drivers to take a different route due to a road closures, police incidents, crashes, or fires.

That job isn’t easy but it’s certainly rewarding for members of the all-volunteer Bristol Township Fire Police.

The group is made up from fire company members that come from across the township’s volunteer fire companies.

And right now, the group is looking to add members to help keep calm at emergency scenes and make sure traffic keeps flowing.

Bristol Township Fire Police President Howard McGoldrick said volunteering with the organization not only benefits the community but provides a fulfilling feeling.

“Our duty is to keep scenes safe,” he said.

New fire police officers have to go through a 16-hour basic training course and a background check by police. They also take part in other training and are endorsed by a fire company who presents their name to the police department. New fire police officers are sworn in by a district judge before they can begin responding to calls, which average more than 100 per year, according to Fire Police Officer Jim Hunnewell, who also works as a fire police instructor.

Fire police in Pennsylvania can’t make arrests, pull you over, or carry a weapon as part of their duty gear, but they can control traffic in dangerous situations and write detailed reports of incidents where drivers violate the law. The reports are turned over to police officer who makes the call on whether to file a citation.

It’s not just emergency scenes where fire police work. They also assist with safety at funerals, community functions, and parades, McGoldrick said.

Fire Police Officer Dawn Alstatt said that not everyone likes then when officers are directing drivers away from their destination but they’re just keeping everyone safe.

Hunnewell echoed the thought and said the volunteer job is important.

Bristol Township Fire Police work throughout the year to fundraise for new equipment. Members said their funds are limited but they make due with what they have on hand. Over the past year, they’ve received donations of some new equipment from local businesses and the township.

McGoldrick said locals who want to join the Bristol Township Fire Police can stop by the Croydon, Edgely, Newportville, Levittown No.2, and Third District fire companies to learn more about becoming an officer.