Act came into force from 1st April, 1991 in the whole of the State of Himachal Pradesh vide Notification No. Home-B (E) 4-1//77, dated 27th March, 1991, published in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 30th March, 1991, p. 312.

⁴ Existing clause (a) renumbered as (aa) and new clause (a) inserted vide H.P. Act No. 16 of 2000.

1. (iii) motor vehicles and other means of transport used in connection with fire-fighting, and
2. (iv) uniforms and badges of ranks;

1. (c) "fire stations" means any post or place declared, generally or specially by the Director to be fire station; 1[(d) “occupier” includes,-
   • (i) any person who for the time being is paying or is liable to pay to the owner the rent of the land or building in respect of which such rent is paid or is payable;
   • (ii) an owner in occupation of, or otherwise using his land or building;
   • (iii) a licensee in occupation of any land or building; and
   • (iv) any person who is liable to pay to the owner damages for the use and occupation of any land or building;]
2. (e) "officer-in-charge of a fire station" means officer-in-change of a fire station, sub-fire station or a fire post and in his absence includes the fire officer who is next in rank to such officer and is present at such fire station, sub-fire station, or a fire post, as the case may be; 2[(ee) “owner” means a person who is in actual occupation/ possession of the premises/land];
3. (f) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 3[xxxxx] 4(ff) "service" means the Himachal Pradesh Fire Service maintained under this Act; 5[and]
4. (g) "State Government" means the Government of Himachal Pradesh. MAINTENANCE OF FIRE SERVICE 3. Maintenance of Fire Service.- There shall be maintained by the