SECTION F-104 GENERAL AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

F-104.1 Fire investigations. The fire code official shall have the authority to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of any fire, explosion or other hazardous condition. Information that could be related to trade secrets or processes shall not be made part of the public record except as directed by a court of law.

F-104.1.1 Assistance from other agencies. Police and other enforcement agencies shall have the authority to render necessary assistance in the investigation of fires when requested to do so.

F-104.2 Authority at fires and other emergencies. The fire department official in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the protection of life or property or any part thereof, shall have the authority to direct such operation as necessary to extinguish or control any fire, perform any rescue operation, investigate the existence of suspected or reported fires, gas leaks or other hazardous conditions or situations, or take any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of duty. In the exercise of such power, the fire official is authorized to prohibit any person, vehicle, vessel or thing from approaching the scene and is authorized to remove, or cause to be removed or kept away form the scene, any vehicle, vessel or thing which could impede or interfere with the operations of the fire department and, in the judgement of the fire official, any person not actually and usefully employed in the extinguishing of such fire or in the preservation of property in the vicinity thereof.

F-104.2.1 Barricades. The fire department official in charge at the scene of an emergency is authorized to place ropes, guards, barricades or other obstructions across any street, alley, place or private property in the vicinity of such operation so as to prevent accidents or interference with the lawful efforts of the fire department to manage and control the situation and to handle fire apparatus.

F-104.2.2 Obstructing operations. No person shall obstruct the operations of the fire department in connection with extinguishment or control of any fire, or actions relative to other emergencies, or disobey any lawful command of the fire department official in charge of the emergency, or any part thereof, or any lawful order of a police officer assisting the fire department.

F-104.2.3 Systems and devices. No person shall render a system or device inoperative during an emergency unless by direction of the fire chief or fire department official in charge of the incident.