Chapter III ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE STATIONS

1. (1) The Government may, for the purposes of securing fire prevention and life safety measures, by notification, establish as many fire stations and other field formations as it deems fit in conformity with the recommendations of the Standing Fire Advisory Council and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation Guidelines.
2. (2) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall define the limits and extent of the fire stations and other field formations as may be necessary for administrative and operational efficiency.

1. (1) The Government may, by notification, appoint a Fire Officer for each fire station, who shall be the officer-in-charge of the fire station and shall hold charge of the fire station as per the strength of the fire and emergency service as may be prescribed by the Government.
2. (2) The method of recruitment, qualifications and other terms and conditions of service of the Fire Officer shall be such as may be prescribed.

1. (1) Subject to the control, direction and superintendence of the Director or Chief Fire Officer, the Fire Officer shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be conferred upon him under this Regulation, and the rules made thereunder.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Fire Officer shall be in-charge of operations of the fire and emergency service within his area and shall be responsible for maintenance of communication system, water resources including hydrants within his station areas, and in the case of fire prevention, disaster and emergency, the Fire Officer or an employee who is the senior most in rank, in their respective jurisdiction, shall, act as commanding officer for that purpose and other fire and emergency service employees shall work under him and abide by his direction.

1. (1) Every employee, appointed to the fire and emergency service shall receive a certificate under the seal and signature of the Director or Chief Fire Officer, and thereupon such person shall have the powers, functions and privileges of an employee of the fire and emergency service under this Regulation.
2. (2) The certificate referred to in sub-section (1) shall cease to have effect when the employee named therein ceases for any reason to be an employee, and on his ceasing to be such employee, he shall forthwith surrender the certificate to any officer empowered to receive the same.
3. (3) The certificate of appointment shall become invalid when the person named therein ceases to belong to the fire and emergency service or shall remain inoperative during the period such person is suspended from the fire and emergency service.

1. (1) Where it appears to the Government that it is necessary to augment the fire and emergency service, it may raise an auxiliary service by the enrolment of volunteers for such area and on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed.
2. (2) Every such volunteer shall receive a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed, as member of the fire and emergency service, shall––
   • (a) have the same powers and protection;
   • (b) be liable to all such duties and penalties; and
   • (c) be subordinate to the same authorities.

The powers, functions and privileges vested in a Fire Officer shall remain suspended while such Fire Officer is placed under suspension: Provided that the Fire Officer shall continue to be under the control of same authorities during the period of his suspension as he would have been, if he had not been, placed under suspension.