EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

FIRE BRIGADES ORDINANCE 1957

No. 20 of 1957

	This Ordinance provides for the establishment of fire brigades in the Territory by the Minister.  The Brigade which is at present operating in the Territory will come under its provisions.  The Ordinance sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Chief Officer and members of fire brigades, of members of the Police Force and of other persons at and immediately after a fire.  In order to protect life and property at a fire, the Chief Officer of a fire brigade is given certain powers over persons and property in the vicinity of the fire.

	In addition to the matters mentioned above, the Chief Officer is given certain powers under section 10 which will facilitate investigations into the cause of any fire and further powers under section 11 to enter premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is there anything which is likely to constitute a danger by fire to life or property.

	The Ordinance provisions are in line with the principles upon which similar legislation on this subject in the States is based.  The Minister is given power to make regulations dealing with the precautions to be taken to prevent fires.