Chapter V Chapter V

General and Miscellaneous

The Government may establish and maintain one or more training centres in the territory for providing courses of instruction in the prevention or extinguishment of fire and may close down or re-establish any such centre.

No member of the Fire Force shall engage in any employment or office whatsoever other than his duties under this Act unless expressly permitted to do so by the Director/Chief Fire Officer.

The Director/Chief Fire Officer or any Officer authorised by the Government in this behalf may on the occasion of a fire or other emergency in any neighbouring area in which this Act is not in force, order the dispatch of the members of the Fire Force with necessary appliances and equipments to carry on fire fighting operations in such neighbouring areas and thereupon all the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder shall apply to such area, during the period of fire or emergency or during such period as the Director/Chief Fire Officer may specify.

It shall be lawful for the Government or any officer authorised by it in this behalf to employ the Fire Force to any rescue, salvage or other work for which it is suitable by reason of its training, appliances and equipments.

1. (1) Any person whose property catches fire on account of any action of his own or of his agent done deliberately

or negligently shall be liable to pay compensation to any other person suffering damages to his property on account of any action taken under section 10 of this Act by any officer mentioned therein or any person acting under the authority of such officer.

1. (2) All claims under sub-section (1) shall be referred to the Collector within thirty days from the date when the damage was caused.
2. (3) The Collector shall, after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, determine the amount of compensation due and pass an order stating such amount and the – 9 – person liable for the same. The order so passed shall have the force of a decree of a Civil Court, and shall be subject to an appeal to the District Judge having jurisdiction over the area in which the property is situated.

Where any fire has occurred within any area in which this Act is in force, the Collector shall ascertain the fact as to the origin and cause of such fire in consultation with the Director/Chief Fire Officer and shall make a report thereon to the Government.

Any Officer of the Fire Force not below the rank of an Officer in-charge of a fire station may for the purpose of discharging his duties under this Act, require the owner or occupier of any building or other property to supply information with respect to the character of such building or other property, the available water supplies and the means of access thereto and other material particulars and such owner or occupier shall furnish all the information in his possession.

1. (1) The Director/Chief Fire Officer or any member of the Fire Force authorised by him in this behalf may enter any of the places specified in any notification for the purpose of determining whether precautions against fire required to be taken on such places have been so taken.
2. (2) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, no claim shall lie against any person for compensation for any damage necessarily caused by any entry made under sub-section (1).

No charge shall be made by any local authority for water consumed in fire fighting operation by the Fire Force.

No authority in charge of water supply in an area shall be liable to claim for compensation for damage by reason of any interruption of supply of water occasioned only by compliance of such authority with the requirement specified in clause (d) of section 10.

It shall be the duty of the police officers of all ranks to aid the members of the Fire Force in discharging their duties under the Act.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.

1. (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. – 10 –
2. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may provide for:—
   • (a) the number of grade of officers and members of the Fire Force;
   • (b) the manner of appointment of members of the Fire Force;
   • (c) the form of the certificate to be issued to the Members of the Fire Force;
   • (d) the conditions of service of the members of the Fire Force including their ranks, pay and allowances, hours of duty and leave, maintenance of discipline and removal from service;
   • (e) the circumstances in which and the conditions subject to which members of the Fire Force may be dispatched to carry on fire fighting operations in neighbouring area beyond the limits of the area in which this Act is in force;
   • (f) the conditions subject to which members of the Fire Force may be employed on rescue, salvage or other works;
   • (g) the manner of service of notice under this Act;
   • (h) the payment of reward or compensation to persons, not being members of the Fire Force, who render services under clause (d) or clause (e) of section 9;
     • (i) the compensation payable to members of the Fire Force in case of accidents or to their dependants in case of death while engaged on duty;
   • (j) for the employment of the Fire Force or use of any equipment outside the area or on special services; and
   • (k) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed. Secretariat, Panaji-Goa. Dated: 7th October, 1986. M. RAGHUCHANDER, Secretary to the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu, Law Department (Legal Affairs). ______