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Fire Police Duties

The Fair Haven Fire Police are volunteers who are members of the Fair Haven Fire Department who, after attending training classes, have been certified by the State of New Jersey, Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Fire Safety. The primary duties of a Fire Policeman are:

Directing, monitoring, and controlling the flow of traffic at fires, automobile accidents and other emergencies. The goal here is to permit all vehicles to quickly and safely exit the area with a minimum of inconvenience. We are occasionally called to neighboring communities to perform these duties.

Protecting Fire and First Aid Personnel, and maintaining crowd control at fire and accident scenes, and performing similar duties at parades and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

Assisting Police and Fire Department officials in the protection of the integrity of property and evidence at fire and accident scenes.

In carrying out our duties, we sometimes frustrate drivers who are attempting to travel through the area of an emergency. Our major responsibilities for providing safety for our Firefighters and First Aid members often requires that we detour or delay traffic. We ask that you understand and cooperate so that our volunteers can carry out their duties safely and quickly.

If you have questions at an accident or fire scene, we will assist you, but we ask you to pull out of the way of traffic, so that traffic is not blocked and it can be moved out of the area. In addition, we also ask you to signal if you want to turn left or right and to permit all emergency personnel with flashing blue lights to quickly enter the fire or accident scene; and most importantly, to proceed slowly and cautiously when there is an emergency in the area.

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2008 Fire Police Officers

Line Officers:

Captain - Tricia Brett
1st Lieutenant - Gene Stefanelli
2nd Lieutenant - Frank Scalzo

Executive Officers:

President - Chris Bertell
Vice President - Lew Davison
Secretary-Treasurer - Vinny Feeny
Trustees - Hap Albert, John Felsmann

Fire Police Line Officers. from left to right: Frank Scalzo, Tricia Brett and Gene Stefanelli

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Fair Haven Fire Police Equipment

#1390 - 1999 Chevy Tahoe Fire Police Truck

#1398 - 1988 Ford Econline Fire Police Truck

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Fair Haven Fire Police History

During the latter part of the 19th Century, New Jersey legislators realized a vital need to help local police, marshals, and peace officers. They were especially concerned about areas in the state where police protection was woefully inadequate and provided by perhaps only one enforcement officer.

To meet this problem, the Fire Police Law was enacted.

The earliest recorded mention of Fire Police appointments in the Borough of Fair Haven was at a Borough Council meeting held on January 11, 1927. At that time, two members of the Fair Haven Fire Company were appointed members of the Fire Police. Since that time, the membership of the Fair Haven Fire Police has steadily increased. Demand brought about by an expanding population has put new emphasis on the ranks of the Fire Police -- just as it had on the ranks of the Police Department and the Fire Company.

During the years 1950-51, the Monmouth County Fire Police Association organized. It consisted of Fire Police members from all Fire Companies in Monmouth County. After attending a series of lectures presented under the supervision of the New Jersey State Police and upon completion of the lectures, certificates were presented to the members.

Fair Haven Fire Police deem it an honor that the first meeting of the Monmouth County Fire Police Association was held in the Fair Haven Fire House. An election of officers was held at that time. Several Fair Haven members were elected to office and served the organization for a number of years. They are now Life Members.

Members of the Fair Haven Fire Police have responded to many calls from the Monmouth County Fire Police Association for duty in other areas where additional fire Police were needed.

The praises received from the officers and members of our Fire Company and members of the municipal governing bodies from time to time are reflected in the pride that each member of the Fire Police has in serving his community in this capacity.

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