dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.11. Firefighter electric vehicles fire training.
All firefighters, including volunteer firefighters as defined in § 27-42, shall complete a training program developed by the Executive Director of the Department of Fire Programs pursuant to § 9.1-201 on the risks of fires in electric vehicles and how to safely and effectively manage such fires.

2023, c. 87.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.2. Advances by city or county to fire zone or district.
The governing body of any city or county in the Commonwealth may advance funds, not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated, from the general fund to a fire zone or district to assist the fire zone or district to exercise the powers set forth in § 27-23.1.

1970, c. 187; 1985, c. 343; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.3. Reimbursement for advances.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the governing body shall direct the treasurer to reimburse the general fund of the city or county from the proceeds of any funds to the credit of the fire zone or district not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated to the extent that the city or county has made advances to the fire zone or district from such general fund to assist the zone or district to exercise the powers set forth in § 27-23.1.

1970, c. 187; 1985, c. 343; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.4. Validation of prior advances.
The advancement of any funds heretofore advanced from the general fund by the governing body of any city or county in this Commonwealth for the benefit of a fire zone or district in exercising the lawful powers of such fire zone or district is hereby validated and confirmed.

1970, c. 187; 1985, c. 343; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.5. Exclusion of certain areas from fire zones or districts and exemption of such areas from certain levies.
The governing body of any city or county having a fire zone or district created under the provisions of § 27-23.1, prior to June 1 of any calendar year, may alter the boundaries of such fire zone or district for the purpose of excluding an area of any such fire zone or district that is also within the boundaries of a sanitary district providing fire protection services or under contract to a sanitary district providing fire protection services.

Any area excluded from a fire zone or district as provided by this section shall not be subject to the levy set forth in § 27-23.1 for the year such area is excluded.

1970, c. 187; 1985, c. 343; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.6. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2015, cc. 502 and 503, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.7. Special levy for fire protection in certain counties.
Chapter 207 of the Acts of 1930, approved March 22, 1930 (codified as § 3144k of Michie Code of 1942), as amended, by Chapter 297 of the Acts of 1938, approved March 28, 1938, Chapter 392 of the Acts of 1940, approved April 1, 1940, Chapter 40 of the Acts of 1945, approved April 5, 1945, and Chapter 41 of the Acts of 1956, approved February 16, 1956, relating to special levy for fire protection in counties adjacent to a county containing more than 500 inhabitants a square mile, is continued in effect.

1970, c. 187.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.8. Trial board for members of fire departments in certain counties.
Chapter 8 of the Acts of 1950, approved February 9, 1950, as amended, by Chapter 409 of the Acts of 1954, approved April 3, 1954, relating to trial board for members of fire departments in any county having a population of more than 2,000 per square mile is incorporated in this Code by this reference.

1970, c. 187.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-23.9. Supervision and control of joint services of fire companies or departments.
Whenever two or more fire companies or fire departments are called to provide joint services in any district or political subdivision, the commander of the first company or department to arrive shall have general supervision and control of all such participating companies and departments until an officer of such district or political subdivision who is otherwise authorized by law to do so assumes such general supervision and control.

1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-24. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1970, c. 187.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-6. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1970, c. 187.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-6.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Fire company" means a volunteer firefighting or firefighter support organization organized pursuant to § 27-8 in any county, city, or town of the Commonwealth for the purpose of extinguishing fires. Firefighter support group members shall not be included in the provisions of Title 9.1, Title 27, or Title 65.2 unless otherwise designated for inclusion by ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the applicable county, city, or town of the Commonwealth.

"Fire department" means a firefighting organization established as a department of government of any county, city, or town pursuant to § 27-6.1.

2015, cc. 502, 503; 2023, c. 237.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-6.02. Provision of firefighting services.
A. Any county, city, or town may provide firefighting services to its citizens by (i) establishing a fire department as a department of government pursuant to § 27-6.1 or (ii) contracting with or providing for the provision of firefighting services by a fire company established pursuant to § 27-8.

B. In cases in which a county, city, or town elects to contract with or provide for the provision of firefighting services by a fire company pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection A, the fire company shall be deemed to be an instrumentality of the county, city, or town and, as such, exempt from suit for damages done incident to fighting fires therein. The county, city, or town may elect to provide for the matters authorized in §§ 27-4 and 27-39.

As used in this section, "provide firefighting services" includes travel while performing fire, rescue, or other emergency operations in emergency vehicles or fire apparatus as described in §§ 46.2-920 and 46.2-1023, respectively.

2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-6.1. Establishment of fire department; chief, officers, and employees.
The governing body of any county, city, or town may establish a fire department as a department of government and may designate it by any name consistent with the names of its other governmental units. The head of such fire department shall be known as "the chief." As many other officers and employees may be employed in such fire department as the governing body may approve.

1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2008, c. 410; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-6.2. Applicant preemployment information with fire departments.
Applicants for employment with the fire department of any locality having a local ordinance adopted in accordance with § 19.2-389 may be required to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such applicant; however, such applicants shall, if required by local ordinance, pay the cost of the fingerprinting or criminal records check or both.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an applicant's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the fire chief or his designee, who must belong to a governmental entity. In determining whether a criminal conviction directly relates to a position, the locality shall consider the following criteria: (i) the nature and seriousness of the crime; (ii) the relationship of the crime to the work to be performed in the position applied for; (iii) the extent to which the position applied for might offer an opportunity to engage in further criminal activity of the same type as that in which the person had been involved; (iv) the relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity or fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the position being sought; (v) the extent and nature of the person's past criminal activity; (vi) the age of the person at the time of the commission of the crime; (vii) the amount of time that has elapsed since the person's last involvement in the commission of a crime; (viii) the conduct and work activity of the person prior to and following the criminal activity; and (ix) evidence of the person's rehabilitation or rehabilitative effort while incarcerated or following release.

If an applicant is denied employment because of information appearing in his criminal history record, the locality shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the applicant. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided for in this section.

2001, cc. 353, 373; 2003, c. 739; 2018, c. 834.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-7. Bylaws of fire department; compensation of officers and employees; information on check stubs, time cards, etc.
The governing body of any county, city, or town may empower the fire department therein to make bylaws to promote its objects consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and ordinances of the county, city, or town and may provide for the compensation of the officers and employees of such department.

All check stubs or time cards purporting to be a record of time spent on the job by a firefighter shall record all hours of employment, regardless of how spent. All check stubs or pay records purporting to show the hourly compensation of a firefighter shall show the actual hourly wage to be paid. Nothing in this section shall require the showing of such information on check stubs, time cards, or pay records; however, if such information is shown, the information shall be in compliance with this section.

Code 1919, § 3126; 1970, c. 187; 1984, c. 595; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-8. Who may form a fire company; limit on number of persons in combined companies.
Any number of persons, not less than 20, may form themselves into a fire company for extinguishing fires. In any county in which two or more fire companies for extinguishing fires join together and singly use one fire station, the number of persons in the combined companies shall be not less than 20.

Code 1919, § 3121; 1946, p. 110; 1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2023, c. 237.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-8.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2015, cc. 502 and 503, cl. 2.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 2 (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE/EMS COMPANIES)
§ 27-9. Organization of fire company.
A writing stating the formation of a fire company, with the names of the members thereof thereto subscribed, shall be recorded in the court of the city or the court of the county wherein such fire company is located, after which the members of the fire company may make regulations for effecting its objects consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth, the ordinances of the county, city, or town and the bylaws of the fire department thereof. The principal officer of such fire company shall be known as "the chief."

Code 1919, § 3122; 1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-30. Appointment of fire marshal.
An officer, who shall be called a "fire marshal," may be appointed for each county, city or town, by the governing body thereof, whenever, in the opinion of such body, the appointment shall be deemed expedient. The term "fire marshal" as used in this chapter may include the local fire official and local arson investigator when appointed pursuant to this section.

Code 1919, § 3137; 1970, c. 187; 1977, c. 334; 1984, c. 644.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-31. Investigation of fires and explosions.
Such fire marshal shall make an investigation into the origin and cause of every fire and explosion occurring within the limits for which he was appointed, and for any such service he shall receive such compensation as the governing body may allow.

Code 1919, § 3138; 1997, c. 436.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-32. Summoning witnesses and taking evidence.
In making investigations pursuant to § 27-31, the fire marshal may issue a summons directed to a sheriff or sergeant of any county, city or town commanding the officer to summon witnesses to attend before him at such time and place as he may direct. Any such officer to whom the summons is delivered, shall forthwith execute it, and make return thereof to the fire marshal at the time and place named therein.

Witnesses, on whom the summons before mentioned is served, may be compelled by the fire marshal to attend and give evidence, and shall be liable in like manner as if the summons had been issued by a magistrate in a criminal case. They shall be sworn by the fire marshal before giving evidence, and their evidence shall be reduced to writing by him, or under his direction, and subscribed by them respectively.

Code 1919, §§ 3138, 4808, 4810; 1970, c. 187; 1997, c. 436; 2008, cc. 551, 691.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-32.1. Right of entry to investigate cause of fire or explosion.
If in making such an investigation, the fire marshal shall make complaint under oath that there is good cause of suspicion or belief that the burning of or explosion on any land, building or vessel or of any object was caused by any act constituting a crime as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2 and that he has been refused admittance to the land, building or vessel or to examine the object in or on which any fire or explosion occurred within fifteen days after the extinguishment of such, any magistrate serving the city or county where the land, building, vessel or object is located may issue a warrant to the sheriff of the county or the sergeant of the city requiring him to enter such land, building or vessel or the premises upon which the object is located in the company of the fire marshal for the purposes of conducting a search for evidence showing that such fire or explosion was caused by any act defined in Article 1 of Chapter 5, of Title 18.2.

1970, c. 187; 2008, cc. 551, 691.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-32.2. Issuance of fire investigation warrant.
A. If, in undertaking such an investigation, the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to § 27-56 makes an affidavit under oath that the origin or cause of any fire or explosion on any land, building, or vessel, or of any object is undetermined and that he has been refused admittance thereto, or is unable to gain permission to enter such land, building, or vessel, or to examine such object, within 15 days after the extinguishing of such, any magistrate serving the city or county where the land, building, vessel, or object is located may issue a fire investigation warrant to the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to § 27-56 authorizing him to enter such land, building, vessel, or the premises upon which the object is located for the purpose of determining the origin and source of such fire or explosion. After issuing a warrant under this section, the magistrate shall file the affidavit in the manner prescribed by § 19.2-54. After executing the warrant, the fire marshal, or investigator appointed pursuant to § 27-56, shall return the warrant to the clerk of the circuit court of the city or county wherein the investigation was made.

B. If the fire marshal or investigator appointed pursuant to § 27-56, after gaining access to any land, building, vessel, or other premises pursuant to such a fire investigation warrant, has probable cause to believe that the burning or explosion was caused by any act constituting a criminal offense, he shall discontinue the investigation until a search warrant has been obtained pursuant to § 27-32.1, or consent to conduct the search has otherwise been given.

1987, c. 701; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2012, cc. 279, 330; 2014, c. 354.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-33. Report of investigation.
The fire marshal shall make report to the governing body by whom he was appointed of any investigation made by him as soon thereafter as practicable, returning therewith the evidence taken by him and submitting such recommendations therein as he may think the public interest demands.

Code 1919, § 3138.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34. Duties and powers at fires.
Whenever any fire occurs, it shall be the duty of such fire marshal or his designated representative to be present at the same and advise and act in concert with such officers of police as may be present; and, for preserving order at and during the existence of such fire, and for the protection of property, he shall have concurrent powers with the officers of police, and the chief, director, or other officer in charge, but shall not exercise any authority which will conflict with the powers of any chief, director, or other officer in command of any fire department in the discharge of his special duties as such.

Code 1919, § 3139; 1970, c. 187; 2008, c. 410.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34.1. Power of fire marshal or fire chief to take property found at scene of fire or explosion; restitution of such property.
The fire chief, fire marshal or his designated representative is authorized to take and preserve any property found at the scene of a fire or explosion during his presence there while in the act of extinguishing such or found later with the consent of the owner or pursuant to § 27-32.1, which property indicates the fire or explosion was intentionally caused. Any person whose property is so taken and held may petition the circuit court of the county or city in which the property was taken or judge in vacation, for return of the property, and the court may order restitution upon such conditions as are appropriate for preservation of evidence, including the posting of bond.

1970, c. 187; 1979, c. 189.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34.2. Power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons; limitation on authority.
In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire marshal and his assistants appointed pursuant to § 27-36 shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city or town appointing the local fire marshal, have the authority to arrest, to procure and serve warrants of arrest and to issue summons in the manner authorized by general law for violation of fire prevention and fire safety laws and related ordinances. The authority granted in this section shall not be exercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a training course designed specifically for local fire marshals and their assistants, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.

The Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall have the authority to design, establish and maintain the required courses of instruction through such agencies and institutions as the Departments jointly may deem appropriate and to approve such other courses as such Departments determine appropriate.

The authority granted in this section shall not be construed to authorize a fire marshal or his assistants to wear or carry firearms.

1974, c. 334; 1975, c. 173; 1979, c. 402; 1984, c. 779; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 65; 1997, c. 436.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34.2:1. Police powers of fire marshals.
In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire marshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to § 27-36 designated by the fire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal, have the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer, or law-enforcement officer. The investigation and prosecution of all offenses involving hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, false alarms relating to such offenses, and possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances, and fire bombs shall be the responsibility of the fire marshal or his designee, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal. The police powers granted in this section shall not be exercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a basic law-enforcement course for fire marshals with police powers, and maintains satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs, designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.

Current or prior certification as a law-enforcement officer, who retired or resigned from his position as a law-enforcement officer in good standing, may satisfy the police powers training requirements upon successful review to determine equivalency by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

In addition, fire marshals with police powers shall continue to exercise those powers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which courses shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.

1977, c. 209; 1979, c. 446; 1984, c. 779; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 65; 2000, cc. 39, 390; 2023, cc. 215, 216.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34.3. Power to order immediate compliance with law, etc., or prohibit use of building or equipment.
The local fire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city or town appointing him, have the authority to exercise the powers authorized by the Fire Prevention Code. However, an order prohibiting the use of a building or equipment issued pursuant to this section shall not be effective beyond the date of a determination made by the authorities identified in and pursuant to § 27-97, regardless of whether or not said determination overrules, modifies or affirms the order of the local fire marshal. If an order of the local fire marshal issued pursuant to this section conflicts to any degree with an order previously issued by an authority identified in and pursuant to § 27-97, the latter order shall prevail. The local fire marshal shall immediately report to the authorities identified in § 27-97 on the issuance and content of any order issued pursuant to this section.

1975, c. 216; 1988, c. 199.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-34.4. Inspection and review of plans of buildings under construction.
Inspection of buildings other than state-owned buildings under construction and the review and approval of building plans for these structures for enforcement of the Uniform Statewide Building Code shall be the sole responsibility of the appropriate local building inspectors. Upon completion of such structures, responsibility for fire safety protection shall pass to the local fire marshal or official designated by the locality to enforce the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) in those localities which enforce the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

1980, c. 498; 1989, c. 258.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-35. Penalty for failure to discharge duty.
For his failure to discharge any duty required of him by law the fire marshal shall be liable for each offense to a fine not exceeding $100, to be imposed by the governing body and to be collected as other fines are collected.

Code 1919, § 3138.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-36. Appointment, powers and duties of assistant fire marshals.
The governing body of any county, city or town, or its designee may appoint one or more assistants, who, in the absence of the fire marshal, shall have the powers and perform the duties of the fire marshal.

Code 1919, § 3140; 1970, c. 187; 1984, c. 644; 1998, c. 236.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-37. Oath of fire marshal and assistants.
The fire marshal and his assistants, before entering upon their duties, shall respectively take an oath, before any officer authorized to administer oaths, faithfully to discharge the duties of such office; the certificate of the oath shall be returned to and preserved by such governing body.

Code 1919, § 3140.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 3 (Local Fire Marshals)
§ 27-37.1. Right of entry to investigate releases of hazardous material, hazardous waste, or regulated substances.
A. The fire marshal shall have the right, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the fire marshal, to enter upon any property from which a release of any hazardous material, hazardous waste, or regulated substance, as defined in § 10.1-1400 or 62.1-44.34:8, has occurred or is reasonably suspected to have occurred and which has entered into the ground water, surface water or soils of the county, city or town in order to investigate the extent and cause of any such release.

B. If, in undertaking such an investigation, the fire marshal makes an affidavit under oath that the origin or cause of any such release is undetermined and that he has been refused admittance to the property, or is unable to gain permission to enter the property, any magistrate serving the city or county where the property is located may issue an investigation warrant to the fire marshal authorizing him to enter such property for the purpose of determining the origin and source of the release. After issuing a warrant under this section, the magistrate shall file the affidavit in the manner prescribed by § 19.2-54. After executing the warrant, the fire marshal shall return the warrant to the clerk of the circuit court of the city or county wherein the investigation was made.

C. If the fire marshal, after gaining access to any property pursuant to such investigation warrant, has probable cause to believe that the release was caused by any act constituting a criminal offense, he shall discontinue the investigation until a search warrant has been obtained or consent to conduct the search has otherwise been given.

1992, c. 712; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2014, c. 354.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-38. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1950, p. 316.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-39. Counties, cities and towns authorized to provide relief.
Any county, city or town which operates fire-fighting equipment may provide for the relief of (1) any children and surviving spouse of any fire fighter who dies (2) and on or before July 1, 1977, shall provide for the relief of any fire fighter who is disabled by injury or illness as the direct or proximate result of the performance of his duty, including the presumption under § 27-40.1, in the service of the county, city or town or any political subdivision with which it contracts or has contracted for fire protection, whether such fire fighter be a member of a fire company of the county in which the injury occurred or of a political subdivision with which it contracts for fire protection. Such total disability retirement benefits shall be not less than those provided under the in-line-of-duty disability retirement provisions of § 51.1-157. Such relief of any children and surviving spouse of any fire fighter who dies shall be exclusive of, and not dependent upon, any payment under the Line of Duty Act (§ 9.1-400 et seq.).

1946, p. 609; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 2743m; 1948, p. 161; 1970, c. 187; 1973, c. 543; 1976, c. 772; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40. Support of dependent children of firemen.
The governing bodies of cities of the first class may, by ordinance adopted by a recorded vote of a majority of the members elected to each branch, if there be more than one branch, appropriate money out of the public funds to aid in the support of dependent children of members of the fire departments of such cities who may have lost their lives through injuries received or illness incurred while in the performance of their duties as members of such fire departments; such aid to continue in the case of each such child until he or she shall have attained the age of sixteen years, and the payment of same to be made monthly to the lawful guardian of such dependent children and in such amounts as the governing body of such city may deem wise and just.

1918, p. 224; Michie Code 1942, § 3035a.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40.1. Presumption as to death or disability from respiratory diseases, hypertension or heart disease.
The death of, or any condition or impairment of health of salaried or volunteer fire fighters caused by respiratory diseases, hypertension or heart disease resulting in total or partial disability shall be presumed to have been suffered in the line of duty unless the contrary be shown by a preponderance of competent evidence; provided that prior to making any claim based upon such presumption for retirement, sickness or other benefits on account of such death or total or partial disability, such salaried or volunteer fire fighters shall have been found free from respiratory diseases, hypertension or heart disease, as the case may be, by a physical examination which shall include such appropriate laboratory and other diagnostic studies as such governing body shall prescribe and which shall have been conducted by physicians whose qualifications shall have been prescribed by such governing body; and provided, further, that any such fire fighter or, in the case of his death, any person entitled to make a claim for such benefits, claiming that his death or disability was suffered in the line of duty shall, if requested by such governing body or its authorized representative, submit himself, in the case of claim for disability benefits, to physical examination by any physician designated by such governing body, which examination may include such tests or studies as may reasonably be prescribed by the physician so designated or, in the case of a claim for death benefits, submit the body of the deceased fire fighter to a postmortem examination to be performed by the medical examiner for the county, city or town appointed under § 32.1-282. Such fire fighter or claimant shall have the right to have present at such examination, at his own expense, any qualified physician he may designate.

1964, c. 216; 1972, c. 607; 1973, c. 543; 1976, c. 772; 1977, c. 326; 1978, c. 768.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40.1:1. Performance of physical examinations required by § 27-40.1.
Any county, city or town providing death, retirement, sickness or other benefits pursuant to the authority granted by § 27-39, or pursuant to any other provision of law or the charter of any city or town, or otherwise, shall do so exclusive of, and without regard to, any such benefits paid or payable out of the general fund of the state treasury pursuant to § 9.1-400 et seq. and shall by ordinance make provision for the employment of physicians and the performance of the physical examination required by § 27-40.1 and shall cause such examination to be made within ninety days after June 1, 1973, of every fire fighter in its service or the service of a political subdivision with which it has contracted for fire protection and of every fire fighter entering upon such service thereafter at the time of such entry, provided however, that any fire fighter employed by any such county, city or town which failed to cause such physical examination to be made on or before January 1, 1976, for any fire fighter employed prior to January 1, 1976, in its service or the service of a political subdivision with which it has contracted for fire protection shall be presumed to have been found free from respiratory disease, hypertension or heart disease as if such fire fighter had been examined pursuant to § 27-40.1. Such presumption shall also apply to the benefit of any fire fighter entering upon such service on or after January 1, 1976, unless said county, city or town shall cause such examination to be made of such fire fighter within ninety days after July 1, 1976. Every fire fighter entering upon such service on or after October 1, 1976, and thereafter, shall be entitled to the benefit of such presumption unless such county, city or town shall cause such examination to be made of such fire fighter at the time of such entry.

1973, c. 543; 1976, c. 772; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40.2. Employing such presumption in determining eligibility for benefits.
Such presumption, subject to the provisions of § 27-40.1, shall be employed in determining eligibility for death, retirement, sickness and other benefits provided pursuant to the authority granted by §§ 27-39, 27-40, or pursuant to any other provision of law or the charter of any city or town, or otherwise for persons who die or become totally or partially disabled; provided, however, that such presumption shall be used to determine eligibility for death benefits for all fire fighters employed by the City of Portsmouth when death occurs subsequent to July 1, 1972.

1964, c. 216; 1972, c. 607; 1973, c. 543; 1974, c. 579; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40.3. Definition.
For the purposes of this article the term "volunteer fire fighters" shall be defined as in § 27-42.

1972, c. 607; 1977, c. 326.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-40.4. Income earned during disability retirement; reduction in benefits.
If any person is entitled to and receives pensions and benefits under this article and subsequently becomes employed, whether full-time or part-time, the pensions and benefits received shall be reduced by the amount of income received which exceeds the difference between the benefits received under this article and the amount of pay to which he would have been entitled had his employment progressed in the same rank and grade with credit for the level of seniority he would have attained had he not been disabled. Such a reduction in benefits shall continue until the time he becomes eligible for normal retirement, had he remained uninjured and continued his employment. For the purposes of this section, "income" means gross income received less deductions for social security taxes only.

Any person receiving pensions or benefits under the provisions of this article shall upon request, on or before May 1 of each year, provide a true and correct copy of all W-2 forms showing income received, or a statement under oath as to whether he has received compensation for work performed in the previous calendar year, to the governing body of the jurisdiction which is the source of the pension, or to that body's designee. Refusal to provide such documents shall be grounds for termination of benefits under this section, until such documents are produced. Production of the documents shall be required only until such time as the person shall be eligible for normal retirement, had he remained uninjured and continued his employment.

Nothing contained herein shall limit or restrict the right of any person to receive workers' compensation benefits under Title 65.2, as amended.

1983, c. 351.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-41. Relief provided for.
Financial relief shall be extended by the counties, cities and towns of Virginia to volunteer fire fighters who are killed or injured while engaged in fighting fire or while responding to an alarm or returning from the scene of a fire, such relief to be paid in amounts and manner as hereinafter set forth.

1928, p. 1002; Michie Code 1942, § 3144a; 1970, c. 187; 1977, c. 326.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-42. Definition of term "volunteer fire fighters.".
For the purposes of this article, the term "volunteer fire fighters" shall include only members of any organized fire-fighting company which has in its possession and operates fire-fighting apparatus and equipment, whose members serve without pay and whose names are maintained on a list kept by the secretary of such company. It shall be the responsibility of the secretary of such company or the secretary's designee to (i) file the list with the office of the clerk of the circuit court where such company is located, (ii) keep the list of such members up to date, and (iii) file the updated list with the clerk in a timely manner. The clerk shall not be responsible to obtain the list or an updated list from the secretary of the fire-fighting company if the list is not filed with the clerk.

1928, p. 1002; Michie Code 1942, § 3144b; 1977, c. 326; 2012, c. 802; 2014, c. 291.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-43. Payment on death.
Should any volunteer fire fighter be killed while actually engaged in fighting fire, or while going to a fire in answer to an alarm or returning therefrom, the governing body of the county, city or town in which his company is located shall pay to his personal representative, for the benefit of his estate, the sum of $1,000.

1928, p. 1002; Michie Code 1942, § 3144c; 1970, c. 187; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-44. Payments for total and permanent disability.
Should any volunteer fire fighter be injured under circumstances set forth in § 27-43, so as to be totally and permanently disabled from making a livelihood, he shall be paid in like manner the sum of twenty-five dollars per week for forty weeks.

1928, p. 1002; Michie Code 1942, § 3144d; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-45. Payments for partial disability.
Should a volunteer fire fighter be injured under circumstances set forth in § 27-43, so as to be prevented from attending to his usual occupation for a period greater than two weeks, but not permanently and totally disabled, he shall be paid in like manner the sum of twenty-five dollars per week until able to return to his usual occupation, provided, that the payments shall not continue in any event for a period greater than ten weeks.

1928, p. 1002; Michie Code 1942, § 3144e; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-46. Payment for hospital and medical services.
In addition to the relief set forth in §§ 27-43 through 27-45, all necessary hospital charges and all necessary and proper medical, surgical, laboratory and operating room charges for any volunteer fire fighter arising out of any injury set forth in such sections shall be paid by such county, city or town.

1928, p. 1003; Michie Code 1942, § 3144f; 1970, c. 187; 1977, c. 326.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-47. Levy for funds.
All funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this article shall be raised in the case of a city by a general levy on all property therein subject to taxation for local purposes; and in the case of a county one-half thereof shall be raised by a general levy throughout the county and one-half by the levy within the town or magisterial district in which the fire company is located on all property therein subject to taxation for local purpose.

1928, p. 1003; Michie Code 1942, § 3144g.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-48. Disputed questions of fact.
Any disputed question of fact arising under the operation of this article shall be triable before the governing body of such county or city having jurisdiction of the company involved, and from the decision of such governing body the petitioner and the county or city, as the case may be, shall have an appeal of right to the circuit court of the county or the corporation court of the city. Such appeal on behalf of the county or city shall be taken by the attorney for the Commonwealth or the corporation counsel who shall prosecute the same in the trial court.

1928, p. 1003; Michie Code 1942, § 3144h.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-49. Special laws not affected.
This article shall not be construed to repeal any special act now in force in any county or city for the relief of volunteer fire fighters or to limit the enactment of further special and local laws for such purpose.

1928, p. 1003; Michie Code 1942, § 3144i; 1977, c. 326.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 4 (RELIEF FOR FIRE FIGHTERS AND DEPENDENTS)
§ 27-50. Adoption of article by counties, cities and towns.
This article shall not become effective in any county, city or town until the governing body thereof shall adopt and approve the same by resolution duly passed and spread on its minutes.

1928, p. 1003; Michie Code 1942, § 3144j.
Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-51. Exits from public halls, theaters and opera houses.
All owners or lessees of public halls, theaters or opera houses situated in any city or town, or in any county which has elected to come under the provisions of Article 1 (§ 27-6.01 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of this title, shall provide suitable and sufficient exits from such buildings. The doors to the exits shall remain unlocked during all performances or public gatherings in the buildings, and shall in all cases open outwardly, and not inwardly.

Code 1919, § 3142; R. P. 1948, § 27-36.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-52. Inspection of buildings designated in preceding section.
In cities and towns having police and fire departments or having a fire inspector employed by such city or town, the respective heads of such departments and the mayor of such city or town shall, as a committee of three, or the fire inspector of such city or town, inspect at least semiannually, all buildings mentioned in § 27-51 which are located in their city or town, and see that the provisions thereof are complied with.

In cities and towns which do not possess police and fire departments or a fire inspector, the mayor and two members of the council to be selected by the mayor shall, as a committee of three, inspect all such buildings located in their city or town semiannually, and see that the provisions of § 27-51 are complied with. Any such building as to which such provisions have not been complied with, may be closed by order of the mayor of the city or town until the provisions are complied with.

Code 1919, § 3143; R. P. 1948, § 27-37; 1974, c. 41.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-53. Penalty for violating § 27-51; separate offenses.
Any owner or lessee of any such building, who shall violate any of the provisions of § 27-51, shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500, or by confinement in jail not less than 6 nor more than 12 months, or by both. The continuation of any failure to comply with the provisions of such section for each week after notice has been given the owner or lessee of the buildings that the exits are unsafe or insufficient shall be deemed a separate offense.

Code 1919, § 3144; R. P. 1948, § 27-38.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-54. Governing body to make additional safety provisions.
The governing body of any city or town, or of any such county, shall make such further provisions insuring the safety of the public using such buildings as is mentioned in § 27-51 as such governing body may see proper to make, not in conflict with such section.

Code 1919, § 3145; R. P. 1948, § 27-39.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-54.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 27 (Fire Protection), Chapter 5 (SAFETY PROVISIONS GENERALLY)
§ 27-54.5. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1988, c. 891.