New South Wales Consolidated Acts

RURAL FIRES ACT 1997 - SECT 45

45 Power to give directions etc

(1) The Commissioner may give such directions as the Commissioner considers necessary to fire control officers, deputy fire control officers, officers of rural fire brigades, local authorities, officers or members of New South Wales Fire Brigades, members of the Police Service and other persons in connection with the prevention, control or suppression of any bush fire in the area or locality in which the Commissioner has taken charge or is taking measures under this Division.

(2) Without limiting the powers conferred on the Commissioner, the Commissioner may exercise, in any part of the State, any functions conferred by section 21 on an officer in charge of a rural fire brigade or group of rural fire brigades in respect of the rural fire district for which the brigade is formed.

(3) Any person (other than a police officer) who fails to observe any direction given under this section by the Commissioner is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

(4) The provisions of this section have effect despite anything contained in this or any other Act to the contrary.

(5) Nothing in this Division enables the Commissioner to commandeer equipment or resources (human or otherwise).