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Maryland Code, Public Safety § 7-304

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) In this section, “fire and ambulance company” means a volunteer, career, incorporated, or unincorporated fire or ambulance company.

(b) This section applies only to Cecil County and Washington County.

(c)(1)(i) The commanding officer may designate to the sheriff of a county up to 20 individuals who are members of the commanding officer's fire or ambulance company to be appointed as fire police.

(ii) A written certificate of designation signed by the commanding officer shall accompany each request for appointment under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

(2)(i) The Sheriff of Washington County shall appoint individuals to serve as fire police in Washington County from those members designated by the commanding officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(ii) The Sheriff of Cecil County may appoint individuals to serve as fire police in Cecil County from those members designated by the commanding officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(d)(1) The powers of individuals serving as fire police are limited to traffic control and scene safety while functioning at:

(i) parades;

(ii) accidents;

(iii) fires;

(iv) floods;

(v) other emergencies; or

(vi) public events conducted by a fire or ambulance company or the Sheriff's department.

(2) The powers authorized under this subsection may be exercised:

(i) in a municipal corporation in the county, subject to the discretion and control of the chief of the police force of the municipal corporation; or

(ii) in other areas of the county.

(3) An individual appointed to serve as fire police in Washington County may not use a weapon in the performance of duties authorized under this subsection.

(e)(1) The appointment of a member of a fire or ambulance company as fire police terminates if the member ceases to be a member of the fire or ambulance company.

(2) The sheriff of a county may remove a member appointed as fire police at any time.

(3) If a member appointed to serve as fire police dies, resigns, is dismissed, refuses to serve, or is unable to serve, the commanding officer may designate another member of the fire or ambulance company to be appointed as fire police.

(f) An individual appointed to serve as fire police in Washington County under this section is deemed an appointed official and shall be treated as an appointed official for purposes of Title 22 and Title 23 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Public Safety § 7-304 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/public-safety/md-code-public-safety-sect-7-304/

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