TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT DIVISION 2: EXECUTIVE BRANCH
§ 28061. Definitions. (a) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. (b) “Department” means the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. (c) “Fire lane” means the unobstructed area or passageway within any public right-of-way, easement or private property designated for fire trucks and other firefighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon and/or park. Source: PL 19-69 § 2 (Sept. 28, 2016). Commission Comment: In addition to savings and severability clauses, PL 19-69 included the following Findings and Purposes section: Section 1. Findings and Purposes. The Legislature finds that during an emergency event, it is very important that emergency vehicles are provided with unobstructed access to the building or facility. Any obstructions can delay or even prevent adequate emergency operations from proceeding. The delay could cost someone's life. Fire equipment and other emergency vehicles may be required to pass one another when a fire engine is parked and hooked up to a fire hydrant. This may be to respond to the scene at hand or exit the site to respond to another emergency. There is no question that adequate working space is required around the fire engines. The Legislature finds that when a fire occurs, seconds count. Every second that a fire burns, it has more chance to consume materials and cause damage. Additionally, every second that a fire burns in a building, the chances of injuries or fatalities in that building go up considerably. The fire crew relies on clear lanes of passage for other emergencies, such as medical or law enforcement reasons. The Legislature finds that to ensure a clear path for firefighters and emergency personnel, it's important to establish fire lanes and keep these lanes free of clutter and vehicles. If there is blockage in a fire lane and an emergency responder takes a few extra seconds to respond, that's a few more chances for a fire to grow or a person to go without that needed assistance and more damage to be done. The Commission changed the title of this section from “Definition” to “Definitions”. The Commission renumbered the sections of this article pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(a).