Functions and duties of the Service

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Service shall have the functions and duties of protecting life and property in and within Belize from fires, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such functions and duties shall include the functions and duties of, (a) extinguishing any fires occurring in any part of Belize; (b) protecting life and property endangered by any fires occurring in Belize; (c) obtaining, analysing and disseminating information regarding potential risks to life and/or property arising from fires; (d) inspecting specified buildings to ensure that reasonable steps are being taken by owners and occupiers for the prevention of fires and other disasters, and for the protection of life and property against the dangers of fire; (e) making arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or mitigate loss or injury to life or property arising from fire; (f) extricating casualties from accidents arising from accidents and collapsed (2) The Minister may, by Order published in the Gazette, require the Service to perform and provide additional duties and functions not specified in subsection (1) of this section, if such additional duties and functions will, in his opinion, 8 prevent or mitigate the loss of life or property from fires and (3) Every member of the Service at the scene of a fire or other disaster shall report to the most senior officer of the Service or the Belize Police Department at the scene of the fire or other disaster, any act or omission occurring either before, during or after the fire or other disaster which, in his opinion, directly or indirectly contributed to the occurrence of the fire or other disaster, or to any damage or danger arising therefrom.