(a) The Fire Marshal and all duly appointed assistants shall be authorized to order immediate compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and to exercise all powers authorized hereunder.
(b) In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire marshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to Section § 27-36 of the Code of Virginia designated by the fire marshal shall have the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer or law-enforcement officer to include the authority to arrest, to procure and serve warrants of arrest and search warrants, and to issue summons in the investigation and prosecution of all offenses, and related offenses, involving the violation of fire prevention and fire safety laws and related ordinances, hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances and fire bombs.
(c) The police powers granted in this section shall not be exercised by the Fire Marshal or any assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a course for Fire Marshals with police powers, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board. In addition, the Fire Marshal and those assistants with police powers shall continue to exercise those powers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs, which courses shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board. The Fire Marshal and his assistants, before entering upon their duties, shall respectively take an oath, pursuant to Code of Virginia, Title 27-37.
(Ord. 06-15. Passed 12-5-06; Ord. 11-02. Passed 2-7-11.)
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