When a fire is in progress, all bystanders and other persons shall obey all proper orders duly given by the Chief of the Fire Department or company or other fireman in command at a fire and the subordinates of either upon the order or direction of either.
While the Fire Department or company is in the process of answering an alarm of fire or extinguishing a fire or returning to station, the Chief or other firemen in command of the Fire Department or company 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 firefighting equipment and firemen, and until the arrival of a police officer, direct and control traffic in person or by any subordinate and facilitate the movement of traffic. The Fire Chief or other firemen in command shall display his fireman's badge, or other proper means of identification. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority granted in this section shall extend to the activation of traffic control signals designated to facilitate the safe egress and ingress of firefighting equipment at a fire station. (Ord. 2009-22. Passed 12-7-09.)