Rose and Virgil Johnson have retired after many years of volunteer service with the Kane Fire Police. The Johnsons show some of their plaques. Virgil has served in the Fire Police for 26 years. Rose has served in the Fire Police for 12 years.

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and the fire siren sounds.

Where do you find Virgil and Rose Johnson?

Virgil has been a member of the Kane Fire Police since 1982. His wife, Rose joined the Fire Police in 1996.

The great-grandparents have answered their last call with the Fire Police.

“There are too many aches and pains from standing around on that job,” Virgil said in explaining why he and his wife have decided to “retire” from the Fire Police. “You have to know when it’s time to quit.”

Members of the volunteer Fire Police have the necessary but often mundane task of directing traffic at scenes of emergencies. They’re also called out to direct traffic for parades and other public events.

Many times the Fire Police remain on duty long after the firemen and police officers leave the scene.

“The fire department goes back to bed and we’re still out there,” Virgil joked.

Many times, the Fire Police members have been on duty for eight or 10 straight hours, Virgil said. During the 1985 Kane tornado, the Fire Police saw duty “day and night,” Virgil said.

“We try to keep traffic moving and keep people from getting too close,” Virgil said in discussing the role of the Fire Police. “There’s no glory in it.”

Rose said the Fire Police often are more visible to the public than the firefighters.

“As representatives of the fire department, we try to treat the citizens like we’d like to be treated,” she said.

Virgil, 75, is a 1951 graduate of Kane High School. He served in the U.S. Army and saw duty in the Korean War. He worked at the former Kane Magnetics plant (Stackpole) for 38 years and retired in 1995.

Virgil joined the Kane Volunteer Fire Department in 1957 and still remains an active member. He is a past president of the West Side Hose Co. and is a past assistant fire chief. He has held several offices with the Kane Fire Police. He is a life member of the McKean County Fire Police. He is a past president of the Tri-County Firemen’s Association and is a former delegate to the Central District Firemen’s Association convention.

Rose Sharrow Johnson, 69, is a native of Marienville and a 1956 graduate of East Forest High School. She and Virgil met in Marienville and they were married in 1959.

The Johnsons have one son, Bob, who resides in Kane and is a driver for the United Parcel Service (UPS). A daughter, Robin Yasurek lives in East Kane and works at the Zippo plant in Bradford. Another daughter, Becky Knapp lives in Kane and works in the office at The Lutheran Home.

The Johnsons, who reside at 17 N. Oak St. in Kane, have six granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. The Johnsons are members of the Tabor Lutheran Church in Kane.

Rose, a past president of the Kane Fire Department Auxiliary, joined the Fire Police to accompany her husband on calls.

“He got up at night so I got up at night,” Rose said in explaining why she was motivated to join the Fire Police.

“I’ve loved it,” Rose said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed going out and directing traffic. It’s exciting. No two calls are alike. It’s a lot of work. But you meet a lot of real nice people.”

Virgil believes it takes a dedicated person to serve as a member of the Fire Police.

“If you’re not dedicated, you shouldn’t even join,” he said. “We don’t need part-timers.”

Virgil said he and Rose both “really enjoyed our service” with the Fire Police. “We’re going to miss it. We’re going to miss the people,” he said.

As long-time members of the Fire Police, Virgil and Rose Johnson have seen duty in all types of weather and at all hours of the day and night.

“We’ve been out there when it’s been cold, damp and wet,” Virgil said. “Somebody’s got to do it.”

“We’ve seen rain, sleet, snow—everything in one day,” Virgil said.

“We’ve yet to figure out how to keep our fingers warm,” Rose said with a grin.