31Police to assist Chief Officer etc.

31 Police to assist Chief Officer etc. No. 5040 s. 32. S. 31(1) amended by Nos 6583 s. 5(h)(i), 9629 s. 7(a), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 33.3(a)). (1) Every commissioned officer present at the scene of any fire shall support and assist the Chief Officer or any officer exercising the powers of the Chief Officer or any officer in charge of a brigade or group of brigades in the maintenance of his authority and in enforcing due obedience by all persons to his orders in the execution of his duty. S. 31(2) amended by Nos 6583 s. 5(h)(ii), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 33.3(b)). (2) All police officers are hereby authorized and directed to aid brigades and groups of brigades in the execution of their duties. S. 31(3) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 33.3(c)). (3) Any police officer may of his own motion or on the direction of the Chief Officer or any officer exercising the powers of the Chief Officer or any officer in charge of a brigade— S. 31(3)(a) amended by Nos 9629 s. 7(b), 2/1995 s. 13(f). (a) close any road in the vicinity of the scene of any fire; and S. 31(3)(b) amended by No. 6583 s. 5(h)(iii), substituted by No. 5/2012 s. 18(1). (b) if a person is interfering, by his or her presence or otherwise, with the operations of any brigade or group of brigades or is in or on any land, building or premises that is burning or threatened by fire— (i) order the person to withdraw and may include in the order a direction to immediately leave any area affected by the fire by the safest and shortest route; and (ii) in the event that the person fails or refuses to withdraw—remove the person. S. 31(4) amended by No. 5/2012 s. 18(2). (4) Nothing in this section or section 30 shall authorize the removal from any land building or premises of any person having any pecuniary interest therein or in any goods or valuables whatsoever thereon. No. 5040 s. 33. S. 32 (Heading) inserted by No. 5/2012 s. 19(1).