Following what the organization described as the largest fire police mutual aid response in Schuylkill County history, the Schuylkill County Fire Police Association will meet Sunday to formally discuss establishing a countywide Fire Police Task Force.
The association’s bi-monthly meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Tremont Fire Company No. 1, located at 21 Middlecreek Road in Tremont.
The discussion comes after 91 fire police officers from 12 counties coordinated traffic control for two funeral processions honoring Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. on Wednesday, July 8.
According to the association, the large-scale response was organized in only five days after a single social media post seeking assistance.
Officials said the response has accelerated an ongoing effort to formally establish a countywide task force. The proposed structure would allow trained fire police officers to be dispatched as a unified resource across municipal boundaries without requiring an entire fire department to respond.
“Wednesday wasn’t the finish line, it was the first real test, and we passed it,” said John Bushar, commissioner of the Schuylkill County Fire Police Association. “We’ve been building the training, the structure, and the relationships for months. Sunday’s meeting is where we talk about what’s next.”
Representatives from fire police agencies throughout Schuylkill County are expected to attend the meeting, along with leaders from Fire Police of Pennsylvania.
Before the county association meeting, Fire Police of Pennsylvania will host a separate session beginning at 1 p.m. at the same location. The statewide organization supports fire police training, standards and advocacy across the Commonwealth.
The association’s bi-monthly meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Tremont Fire Company No. 1, located at 21 Middlecreek Road in Tremont.
The discussion comes after 91 fire police officers from 12 counties coordinated traffic control for two funeral processions honoring Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. on Wednesday, July 8.
According to the association, the large-scale response was organized in only five days after a single social media post seeking assistance.
Officials said the response has accelerated an ongoing effort to formally establish a countywide task force. The proposed structure would allow trained fire police officers to be dispatched as a unified resource across municipal boundaries without requiring an entire fire department to respond.
“Wednesday wasn’t the finish line, it was the first real test, and we passed it,” said John Bushar, commissioner of the Schuylkill County Fire Police Association. “We’ve been building the training, the structure, and the relationships for months. Sunday’s meeting is where we talk about what’s next.”
Representatives from fire police agencies throughout Schuylkill County are expected to attend the meeting, along with leaders from Fire Police of Pennsylvania.
Before the county association meeting, Fire Police of Pennsylvania will host a separate session beginning at 1 p.m. at the same location. The statewide organization supports fire police training, standards and advocacy across the Commonwealth.
Photo submitted / Amanda Cass