Northeastern Pennsylvania native Ted Gabriel has seen and done a lot through the years—from Air Force law enforcement specialist to Veterans Affairs Police Detective, to Veterans Affairs HR director to licensed Pastor.  All before he joined the Fire Police unit within the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company. Lt. Ted Gabriel Fire Police Lieutenant & Field Training Officer Alpha Since 2012 Education:  Joined Air Force at age 17 Current Job:  Retired. Several Times.

Tell us a little about you, where you’re from, your family.

Born in Scranton and raised all over God’s creation.  My dad was a 21-year career Air Force vet and I attended 17 schools before graduating high school.  I have children in Scranton area while my wife and dogs reside with me here in State College.

Why did you become an Alpha?

I didn’t even realize with my law enforcement background that there was such a thing as Fire Police. Driving on North Atherton Street one day, a unit with lights and siren on bypassed me with lights on,  and on the side of the unit it said  “Alpha Fire Police.”

I wondered, “what the heck is Fire Police?” Went on the website, looked it up, contacted Steve Bair the Fire Director, filled out an application and here I am.

What is your “day job?” Any interesting experience?

Retired several times. (laughs) I was a law enforcement specialist in the Air Force—retired from there.  I was a Federal Police Detective with the Department of Veterans Affairs —retired from there,  I was an HR director for a VA medical center—retired from there.  Became a local, licensed pastor with the United Methodist Church—retired from there.  So here I am, retired … and I think I spend more time here than I did anywhere else previously.

What’s a fire police officer do?

Our responsibility is to make sure that the scene is safe. Our primary function is to insure our firefighters can do their jobs without being injured or harassed to get their job done as soon and as safely as possible.  In our role to manage traffic, crowds or access to an emergency scene, we are an extension of local law enforcement.

Local law enforcement from surrounding communities, state police, EMS, tow truck drivers, all first responders—we’re all family. When we get to a scene we’ve got a job to do and we work together to get it done.

What one piece of advice would you have for someone thinking about becoming an Alpha?

Come in. See what it’s like. Build up some courage.  It’s rewarding.  We’re looking for individuals of all ages and background with that unique enthusiasm, they want to do more—I bring them in to show them what we do, make them feel comfortable, and once they get a bite and it gets in their blood, they’ll be with is.

Personally? I look at the history of the Alpha Fire Company.  Founded in 1899.  When I come to work as a volunteer, there’s one thing I keep in my mind front and center. There have been men and women all through those years that have kept the credibility of Alpha Fire Company front and center, and it’s my responsibility to keep that alive

What is one of the things you’re most proud of as a Fire Police member?

I came in at a wonderful time—the state was offering local courses for Fire Police, so I was able to begin in February and roll out with the Fire Police with my own responsibilities by June.  However the course offerings can sometimes take you two, three years to get the same training.

So one of the things I requested when I applied to be a Lieutenant was to start a Fire Police Training Program. We now have an independent, in house training program that allows us begin to train and utilize our candidates right away, pending their certification.

See Ted in our new training video…

Quick Sparks—Ted’s Favorite…

Movie:             Cocoon (& the Hawaii 5-0 Intro Movie) TV Show:        Hawaii 5-0 (Jack Lord version) Book:               Air Force One Color:              Green Food:               Road kill (local establishment serves that as a meal!) Time of year:  Spring Hobbies:       My wife, and my dogs, and my job here. I like to read, watch movies and spend as much time with my wife as possible. Sports Teams:     Not since they started taking knees. Favorite Vehicle:  Traffic unit 5-1 (it has 536 on it…)

 Ted Gabriel now and then …