REPUBLIC OF PERILO FIRE SERVICE ACT OF 1967

Public Law 101-67

101.1.  General: The jurisdictions of the Republic, including Provinces, Districts, Cities of Class I and Class II, Towns of Class III and Class IV, Villages of Class V, and Townships of Class VI, shall have the authority to establish or cause to be established fire departments for the protection of life and property.  Establishment of fire departments is at the discretion of the jurisdiction, and jurisdictions are authorized, but not required, to expend public funds on the establishment, maintenance, or operation of such departments.

101.2.  Regulation:  Jurisdictions are empowered to regulate the establishment and operation of fire departments within their boundaries.  No fire department shall be established without the expressed authorization of the council of the jurisdiction.  A jurisdiction council may establish ordinances defining the method of operation of a department that it authorizes.  A council may withdraw authorization for the operation of a fire department at its pleasure.

101.3.  Activities:  Fire departments shall:

101.3(a).  Respond to and extinguish fires which threaten life or property.

101.3(b).  Perform rescue operations to free persons trapped in dangerous situations to the degree practicable based on available equipment and the training of their personnel.

101.3(c).  Render first aid to those injured in fires.

101.3(d).  Educate the citizens as to fire hazards and the methods of fire prevention.

101.4.  Duties:

101.4(a).  Fire departments and individual fire service personnel are not obligated to risk life, equipment, or health to suppress fires that exceed the capabilities of their equipment or training at the judgment of the senior fire officer on scene.

101.4(b).  Other organizations and agencies charged with response to emergencies are charged to cooperate with fire departments in emergencies and disasters and to not hinder fire service personnel in the discharge of their duties.  At any emergency scene, the senior fire officer present shall have authority over firefighting actions. 

101.4.  Fire Service Personnel:  The Fire Service is a uniformed service.  To ensure recognition of officers and to identify officers of similar responsibility, appointments to positions of authority within a fire department shall be consistent with the following scheme:

• Colonel - Civil Grade 8 - Chief officer of a Provincial or Class I city fire department

• Major - Civil Grade 7 - Chief officer of a Class II city or Class III town fire department

• Captain - Civil Grade 6 - Chief officer of a Class IV town fire department

• Lieutenant - Civil Grade 5 - Chief officer of a Class V village or Class VI township fire department

• Sergeant - Civil Grade 4 - apparatus commander

101.5.  Auxiliary Fire Service:  The Minister of the Interior is empowered to create a national auxiliary fire service in preparation for conditions of crisis or emergency.