In accordance with PA Act 74 of 1941, as amended, any volunteer fire company may nominate any of its members to serve as special fire police.  When officially confirmed by the Township Board of Supervisors, the fire police have full power to regulate vehicular traffic and keep crowds under control at or in the vicinity of any fire on which the West Hanover Township Fire Company is in attendance.  Under Act 74 the Fire Police are to exercise such other police powers as are necessary in order to facilitate and prevent interference with the work of firemen in extinguishing fires.  

Act 74 also gives Fire Police the police powers necessary to perform their duties when functioning as special fire police at any function, event, or parade conducted by, and under the auspices of the West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company or upon direct request from the West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors.  When accidents, floods or any other emergencies occur and require the performance of such traffic and crowd control duties, the Fire Police have full authority to perform their duties without formal request until the arrival of proper State or township emergency personnel or until the emergency no longer exists.  Under no circumstances does Act 74 grant Fire Police the right and/or power to use firearms or other weapons in the exercise of their duties.