3 minute read

Marple Township’s Fire Police: Helping Ensure a Safe Community

Our Community feature article by Holly Stupak

Photos courtesy of Marple Fire Police

The Fire Police are vital to public safety. In Marple Township, the Fire Police work closely with the Marple Township Police (MTPD) and Broomall Fire Company (BFC) when special calls come in and also during parades, functions, fairs and other special events.

The primary responsibility of the Fire Police is to ensure a safe and unobstructed area for firefighters, rescue personnel and emergency vehicles, and to provide spectator and crowd control. We spoke with BFC Chief Tom Dobbins as well as some of the Fire Police volunteers, to find out more about their unit.

Some of the Marple Fire Police at their truck. (L-R) Gordon Egan, Anthony Cavarocchi, Earl Pensyl and Capt. Al Bianchi

Why does Marple Township have a Fire Police Unit?

The BFC Fire Police Unit was developed as a specialized group that helps coordinate automobile and pedestrian traffic in and around an active fire or law enforcement emergency scene. The BFC is fortunate to have a unit like the Fire Police as their main objective is to create a safe working environment around an incident, helping to protect not only our firefighters and other first responders, but the general public as well.

Fire Police personnel are sworn public safety officers by Marple Township and work hand in hand with the BFC and our mutual aid partners, including working closely with law enforcement, and are often called upon to assist outside of the township, around the region, with various types of incidents and events. The BFC covers a large area as the single fire/rescue resource including a vast stretch of limited-access highways, often requiring the services of traffic safety personnel, for which our fire police unit fulfills that need.

Who is in charge of the Fire Police and what's their

responsibilities? Fire Police Captain Al Bianchi’s responsibilities are to coordinate Fire Police activities at any incident. The challenge is to ensure the safety for all the first responders and the public. With limited volunteers who serve as Fire Police, this can often be challenging.

How do Broomall residents come to know the work and service of the Fire Police?

When the BFC responds to emergency calls, they’re often accompanied by the Fire Police. The uniformed Fire Police are very visible, and they help keep the scene safe when motorists or pedestrians traverse through the scene. Unfortunately, the public usually learns about our service when there is an emergency. But by staying calm and professional while helping people in an emergency situation, the Fire Police form a bond with the public.

(L-R) Earl Pensyl, Capt. Al Bianchi, Anthony Cavarocchi and Gordon Egan Not pictured: Roger Mauger, Dennis DeFruscio and Frank Barnes (Ret.)

Why do people volunteer to serve in the Fire Police?

The volunteers join the Fire Police when they want to give back to the community and help support the Fire Company. For example, over the past 12 years, Fire Police volunteer Gordon Egan has responded to more than 2,000 calls, and his service has been a great way for him to stay active by helping and meeting people and serving the Marple Township community.

Another Fire Police volunteer, Tony Cavarocchi, said that by serving, he has found a sense of self worth and accomplishment while sustaining commitment to family and community.

How does someone learn more about the Fire Police including what’s involved to become a volunteer?

Anyone over 21 years of age can email recruitment@bfc53.com or visit the Broomall Fire Company’s website at www.BroomallFireCompany.com or for more information. It’s important to note that a Fire Police Officer’s demeanor, professionalism and appearance are what the public see and reflect directly on the department as well as on the entire fire company.

Thank you to the volunteer Fire Police Officers who donate their time to Marple Township and the surrounding areas, responding to emergencies and special services 24 hours a day!

This article is from: