On Monday, December 20th, Michael Friedrich was sworn in by the Chairman of Easttown Township Board of Supervisors.

Michael is 19 years old and has lived in Berwyn for over 13 years with his parents, Bill and Rosemary Friedrich. He attended Saint Monica's as well as Archbishop Carroll High School. He is a Sophmore Criminal Justice Major at The University of Scranton and plans on being a police officer. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and will be attending Basic Training in August 2011.

Special fire police officers are members of a dedicated unit within a volunteer fire company that receive particular training to perform certain functions more traditionally performed by law enforcement. Special fire police are granted full power to control traffic and crowds at the scene of any fire or other emergency as well as other necessary police powers to ensure a safe and controlled environment. Fire police officers have most of the duties, rights, and privileges of regular officers, except they do not carry weapons.

Although they are members of the fire company, only local municipalities can grant police authority. Once nominated by the fire company, all special fire police officer candidates from Berwyn are confirmed and sworn to duty by the Easttown Township Board of Supervisors. The fire police routinely work closely with the members of the Easttown Township and Tredyffrin Township Police Departments.

Michael says he is proud to be able to serve his community in any way possible and appreciates the opportunity given to him by the Berwyn Fire Company and Easttown Township.