South Australian Numbered Acts

FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ACT 2005 (NO 40 OF 2005) - SECT 41

41—Exercise of control at scene of fire or other emergency

        (1)         This section applies in relation to any situation that may involve an emergency.

        (2)         If—

            (a)         the situation—

                  (i)         involves or arises from—

                        (A)         a fire or a situation that involves imminent danger of fire; or

                        (B)         the escape of any hazardous material or a situation that involves imminent danger of such an escape,

that occurs—

                        (C)         in a fire district; or

                        (D)         on a vessel; or

                        (E)         in the country in a situation where no member of SACFS has assumed control under Part 4; or

                  (ii)         involves or arises from any other emergency or the imminent danger of any other emergency, wherever occurring, at which a person with lawful authority to assume control has not done so; and

            (b)         an SAMFS brigade has attended,

then the highest ranking officer of SAMFS in attendance may assume control (and all members of the brigade, and all other persons present at the scene, will be subject to his or her control).

        (3)         Nothing in this section—

            (a)         derogates from the powers of the Chief Officer of SAMFS to assume control of any operations; or

            (b)         prevents a member of SAMFS who has taken control of any operations surrendering control of those operations to any other person or body; or

            (c)         prevents another person or body with lawful authority to do so assuming control at the scene of any emergency.

        (4)         This section operates subject to the provisions of the Emergency Management Act 2004 .

Subdivision 2—Exercise of powers at scene of fire or other emergency