# § 1-2 Control of persons and property at fires.

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 1-2 Control of persons and property at fires.

Balt., Md., Code art. 9, § 1-2 (2026)

(a) The Chief of the Fire Department shall, during the occurrence of fires or alarm of fires, have authority for himself, and the power to delegate to his assistants, the authority to control all persons and property in the vicinity of a fire, during the continuance thereof; provided, that the exercise of such authority does not conflict with any law of the United States, or of the State of Maryland.

(b) When responding to an emergency, the Chief or the Chief’s designee shall:

  (1) identify the emergency scene, as defined in <cite data-path="19|§25-5|(a)">City Code, Article 19, § 25-5(a)</cite>;

  (2) establish the boundaries of the emergency scene using:

    (i) a barricade;

    (ii) posted personnel; or

    (iii) another reasonable method; and

  (3) after the Fire Department completes the investigation of the emergency, remove any boundaries marking the emergency scene, unless the Chief makes a determination that a public safety hazard remains.

(c) Only an authorized person, as defined in <cite data-path="19|§25-5|(a)">City Code, Article 19, § 25-5(a)</cite>, may be present within the boundaries of an emergency scene.

*History: Ord. 1877-024*

*History: *