17Officers in charge of rescue and fire fighting operations

#### 17 Officers in charge of rescue and fire fighting operations Officer in charge of an operation (1) The officer in charge of an operation of a kind mentioned in section 16 is: (a) if AA designates a person under subsection (2) in relation to the operation—that person; or (b) if there is an arrangement in force under section 18 (arrangements for using rescue and fire fighting resources) and the person in control of the operation is providing services in accordance with that arrangement—that person. (2) AA may designate a qualified employee to be the officer in charge of an operation. Powers of officer in charge (3) The officer in charge of the operation may: (a) give directions to fire fighters, volunteers and other persons participating in or assisting with an operation; and (b) exercise the powers of an officer in charge of an ARFFS operation within the meaning of Subpart 139.H of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as set out in that Subpart; and (c) take any other action that the officer in charge considers necessary and reasonable. Powers of fire fighters (4) For the purposes of an operation, a fire fighter may exercise the powers of a firefighter in relation to an ARFFS operation within the meaning of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, set out in Subpart 139.H of those regulations. Other persons assisting AA (5) A person may assist AA, or a person authorised by AA, to take action under section 16 if AA is satisfied that the assistance is necessary and reasonable.