§ 82-1-16. Authority of fire-fighting officials to direct traffic.

(a)

While any fire department or volunteer fire department in the County is in the process of answering an alarm of fire or extinguishing a fire and returning to its 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, facilitate the speedy movement and operation of fire-fighting equipment and firemen and until the arrival of a police officer, direct and control traffic in person or by deputy and facilitate the movement of traffic. The Fire Chief or other officer in charge shall display his fireman's badge.

(b)

Any person 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 ($10.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

(c)

The Fire Chief or other officer in charge shall have the power to make arrests for the violation of the provisions of this Section. (3-13-63; 1961 Code, § 16-16.)

Footnotes:

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11. For similar state law, see Va. Code Ann., § 27-15.1.