FIRE BRIGADE ORDINANCE, 1923

FIRE BRIGADE ORDINANCE, 1923

No. 20 of 1923.

An Ordinance to regulate the Fire Brigade.

[28th September, 1923.]

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Fire Brigade
Ordinance, 1923.

2. It shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint a Chief
Officer, officers and members of a force (hereinafter called the
Brigade) to which shall be entrusted the duty of extinguishing
fires and protecting life and property in case of fire.

3.(1) The Governor in Council may determine and order
the payment of-

(a) such sums of money as he may deem fit to members of
the Brigade by way of compensation for injury by accident
during the performance of their duties; and

(b) such'gratuities as he may deem fit to members of the
Brigade or other persons for extraordinary services performed
in cases of fire or in the interests of the Brigade.

(2) The Accountant-General is authorized to make any such
payments so ordered by the Governor in Council.

4.-(1) The Chief Officer may make regulations, subject
to the approval of the Governor in Council, for the general
management and discipline of the Brigade.

(2) It shall be lawful for the Chief Officer' to inflict fines
pot exceeding twenty-five dollars for any breach of such
regulations.

(3) It shall be lawful for the Chief Officer to deduct any
such fines as he may inflict. under sub-section (2) from the
salary of the offender.

(4) The Chief Officer may also,. without reference to the
Governor but subject always to disallowance or revision by the
Governor, make, departmental orders for the efficient working

As amended by No. 10 of 1930 [5.9.30].
As amended by Law Rev. Ord., 1939, Supp. Sched.





of the Brigade, the due regulation of the internal economy
thereof and the carrying out of the daily routine thereof.

5.-(1) The Chief Officer or other officer in charge of the
Brigade on the occasion of'a fire may-

(a) generally take such measures as may appear expedient
for the protection of life and property;

(b) remove or order any member of the Brigade to remove
any persons interfering by their presence with the operations
of the Brigade;

(c) by himself or his men, break into or through and take
possession of or blow up or pull down any premises for the
purpose of putting an end to the fire

(d) close any street in or near which the fire is burning;.

(e) take command of any. volunteer fire brigade, police
constables, or other persons who voluntarily place their services
at his disposal, and any such persons shall for such time as
they are assisting the Brigade be deemed 'to be for all intents
and purposes members of the Brigade; and

(f) require any person in the vicinity of the fire to
co-operate with the Brigade in any manner, and every person
who refuses to comply with such requisition shall upon summary
conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars and to
imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month.

(2) No officer or member of the Brigade acting bond fide
under the powers conferred by this Ordinance shall be liable
to any action for damages for any act done under this section.

(3) Any damage occasioned by the Brigade in the execution
of their duties shall be deemed to be damage by fire within
the meaning of any policy ot insurance against fire.

6. Every member of the Brigade who-

(a) is guilty of misconduct as a member of the Brigade; or

(b) having engaged to serve in the Brigade, deserts
therefrom; or

As amended by No. 10 of 1930 [5.9.30].

(c) being permitted to resign does not upon ceasing to
belong to the Brigade deliver up all implements, accoutrements
and appointments whatsoever entrusted to him for the performance
of 'his duty,

shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding
two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for any term
not exceeding six months together with forfeiture of pay during
such imprisonment.

7. It shall be lawful for the Governor on the representation
of the Chief Officer to dismiss any member of the Brigade for
any refusal or neglect of duty or insubordination or breach of
discipline or misconduct, or for any contravention of any of
the provisions of this' Ordinance or of any, regulation or
departmental order made. thereunder, whether any. 'action in
respect of the matter in question has or has nlot. been taken
under section 4 or section 6.
[Originally No. 20 of 1923. No. 10 of 1930. Law Rev. Ord., 1939.] Short title. Appointment of Hong Kong Fire Brigade. Compensation for accidents, etc. Regulations and departmental ordes. Powers of Chief Officer and others. Punishment by magistrate. Dismissal.

[Originally No. 20 of 1923. No. 10 of 1930. Law Rev. Ord., 1939.] Short title. Appointment of Hong Kong Fire Brigade. Compensation for accidents, etc. Regulations and departmental ordes. Powers of Chief Officer and others. Punishment by magistrate. Dismissal.

https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/1583

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