CHAPTER 311

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a section num-
bered 27-25.1, relating to the authority of certain fire fighting offt-
cials and providing penalty for violation thereof. re 464)

54

Approved March 17, 1954

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a section
numbered 27-25.1, as follows:

§ 27-25.1. While any Fire Department or Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment in any county under the provisions of Chapter 2 of this Title is in
the process of answering an alarm of fire or extinguishing a fire and
returning to station the Fire Chief or other officer in charge of such Fire
Department at that time shall have the authority to: maintain order at
the fire or its vicinity, direct the actions of the firemen at the fire, keep
bystanders or other persons at a safe distance from the fire and fire
equipment, direct and control traffic (in person or by deputy), facili-
tate the speedy movement and operation of fire fighting equipment and
firemen and, as far as possible, the movement of traffic. The Fire Chief
or other officer in charge shall display his fireman’s badge. Any person
or persons refusing to obey the orders of the Fire Chief or his deputies
or other officer in charge at that time shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than
ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.