South Whitehall commissioners have accepted and approved Jason M. Werley as a member of the special fire police for the Cetronia Fire Department.

He joins Bob Hines and Capt. William Kordilla on the team.

Kordilla said a state statute governs the requirements for special fire police training and prescribed what they may do.

He said an applicant must first be accepted by the fire department, then sworn in by a district judge, and finally read for acceptance at the board of commissioners.

Training involves a basic fire police class offered and required by the state, and some mandated federal and Federal Emergency Management Agency classes.

Special fire police respond to a formal request for service, usually from the chief of police to the fire department.

Their obligations include insuring the safety of the fire department and others at a scene, directing traffic and crowd control.

Special fire police secure a perimeter around an event and offer protection at parades, funeral processions and occurrences such as benefit runs where they provide traffic control.

“We have certain powers granted by the state to direct traffic,” Kordilla said.

He noted municipalities sometimes request help from one another’s special fire police.

South Whitehall Interim Chief of Police Michael Sorrentino said the addition of Werley as special fire police will be an asset to the township.