With the help of Ron Belczak, Village historian, and Forrest Skelton, Fire Department secretary, the date of the formation
of our Fire Police Squad is January 6, 1958. On this date, the first appointed members of the Fire Department took the
oath before the Village Board required by The State of New York.
Before this date, Fire Department minutes dated April 12, 1948, show that the Chief of the Department appointed
flagmen to direct traffic “until the proper authorities arrived.” We can only assume that this practice was continued for
those ten years before the formation of the Squad. In talking to some of our exempt firefighters, I am sure that this was
definitely the case, because they remember seeing men doing this job at fire scenes.
From these humble beginnings our Fire Department now has 11 members who have taken the oath, and are active as
the Fire Police Squad. We are under the direct command of the Chief of the Department, and still must be appointed to
the Squad by him.
Our main concern at emergency incidents today is keeping a safe environment for civilians and firefighters. We do this
by directing traffic around the incident, blocking off the area, or by other means needed at the particular incident.
Please remember, what we do or ask of you is for your safety!
Ken Fuller, Captain
| Churchville Fire Police History |
