You see 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 detour you away from the scene. You wonder who these people are and who are they to tell you where you can and can't drive your vehicle, ride your bike or 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, these 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 as Fire Police 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.

Unfortunately, they don't get a lot of recognition from the public because they aren't doing the glamorous job of firefighting anymore and the public just doesn't know what to make of 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.

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.