§ 16-28. Police power of fire departments.
(a)
Police authority at fires.
(1)
The chief, assistant chief, deputy chiefs, or other officers in command of the fire department at any fire or rescue service, are hereby vested with full and complete police authority of that scene. Any officer of the fire department may cause the arrest of any person failing to give the right-of-way to fire department equipment or personnel during an emergency response.
(2)
The fire chief, or any officer in command, may prescribe certain limits in the vicinity of any fire within which no persons, excepting fire department personnel, law enforcement officers, and those admitted by order of any officer of the department, shall be permitted to come.
(3)
The fire chief, or any officer in command, shall have the power to cause the removal of any property whenever it shall become necessary for the preservation of such property from fire, to prevent the spreading of fire, or to protect the adjoining property, and during the progress of any fire, the fire chief shall have the power to cause the removal of all wires or other facilities and the turning off of all electricity or other services where the same impedes the work of the department during the progress of a fire.
(4)
The fire chief, or any officer in command, shall have the authority to enter onto any public or private property for the purpose of accessing any water supply or source, including, but not limited to, rivers, streams, ponds, swimming pools and hydrants.
(b)
Fire department personnel have powers of traffic officers. Members of a fire department, when at the scene of a fire or other emergency, or when fire department vehicles are upon the street pursuant to an emergency call, shall have the authority and duty of traffic officers to direct traffic, as conditions require, notwithstanding any other provision of this article.
(Prior Code, § 5-1-10)