{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/27-6.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/27-6.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/27-6.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/27-6.1.html"}],"law_id":70855,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70855,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.1","catch_line":"Establishment of fire department; chief, officers, and employees","history":"1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2008, c. 410; 2015, cc. 502, 503.","full_text":"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 &#8220;the chief.&#8221; As many other officers and employees may be employed in such fire department as the governing body may approve.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":255500,"text":"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 &#8220;the chief.&#8221; As many other officers and employees may be employed in such fire department as the governing body may approve.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13506,"edition_id":1,"name":"Provisions Applicable to Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13505,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":190019,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13506,"identifier":"1","token":"27\/2\/1","url":"\/27\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13505,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fire\/Ems Departments and Fire\/Ems Companies","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13504,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":190017,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13505,"identifier":"2","token":"27\/2","url":"\/27\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13504,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fire Protection","identifier":"27","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":189965,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13504,"identifier":"27","token":"27","url":"\/27\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62509,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-10","catch_line":"Dissolution of fire company","url":"\/27-10\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-10","metadata":false},{"id":56382,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-11","catch_line":"Duty of members on alarm of fire or call of a medical emergency","url":"\/27-11\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-11","metadata":false},{"id":61993,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-12","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-12\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-12","metadata":false},{"id":73496,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-13","catch_line":"Appointment of chief and other officers","url":"\/27-13\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-13","metadata":false},{"id":85945,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-14","catch_line":"Ordinances as to fire departments and fire companies","url":"\/27-14\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-14","metadata":false},{"id":58359,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-15","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-15\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-15","metadata":false},{"id":84253,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-15.1","catch_line":"Authority of chief or other officer in charge when answering alarm; penalty for refusal to obey orders","url":"\/27-15.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-15.1","metadata":false},{"id":65165,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-15.1:1","catch_line":"Penalty for refusing or neglecting to obey order of chief or other officer in command","url":"\/27-15.1_1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-15.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":83050,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-15.2","catch_line":"Purchase, maintenance, etc., of equipment; donated equipment","url":"\/27-15.2\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-15.2","metadata":false},{"id":66768,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-15.3","catch_line":"Purchase of service-issued boots or helmet by certain firefighters","url":"\/27-15.3\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-15.3","metadata":false},{"id":78029,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-16","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-16\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-16","metadata":false},{"id":71895,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-17","catch_line":"Entry of buildings on fire and premises adjoining","url":"\/27-17\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-17","metadata":false},{"id":69462,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-17.1","catch_line":"Remaining on premises after fire extinguished","url":"\/27-17.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-17.1","metadata":false},{"id":73862,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-18","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-18\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-18","metadata":false},{"id":81538,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-19","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-19\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-19","metadata":false},{"id":83964,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-20","catch_line":"Destruction of property to prevent spread of fire","url":"\/27-20\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-20","metadata":false},{"id":55035,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-21","catch_line":"Owner may recover amount of actual damage","url":"\/27-21\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-21","metadata":false},{"id":54471,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-22","catch_line":"But not for property which would have been destroyed by the fire","url":"\/27-22\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-22","metadata":false},{"id":61677,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-23\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23","metadata":false},{"id":57518,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.1","catch_line":"Establishment of fire zones or districts; tax levies","url":"\/27-23.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.1","metadata":false},{"id":83173,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.10","catch_line":"Ordinances to effectuate purposes of \u00a7 27-23.9","url":"\/27-23.10\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.10","metadata":false},{"id":60550,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.11","catch_line":"Firefighter electric vehicles fire training","url":"\/27-23.11\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.11","metadata":false},{"id":70342,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.2","catch_line":"Advances by city or county to fire zone or district","url":"\/27-23.2\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.2","metadata":false},{"id":59783,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.3","catch_line":"Reimbursement for advances","url":"\/27-23.3\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.3","metadata":false},{"id":77459,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.4","catch_line":"Validation of prior advances","url":"\/27-23.4\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.4","metadata":false},{"id":77638,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.5","catch_line":"Exclusion of certain areas from fire zones or districts and exemption of such areas from certain levies","url":"\/27-23.5\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.5","metadata":false},{"id":74020,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-23.6\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.6","metadata":false},{"id":80310,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.7","catch_line":"Special levy for fire protection in certain counties","url":"\/27-23.7\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.7","metadata":false},{"id":82775,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.8","catch_line":"Trial board for members of fire departments in certain counties","url":"\/27-23.8\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.8","metadata":false},{"id":60111,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-23.9","catch_line":"Supervision and control of joint services of fire companies or departments","url":"\/27-23.9\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-23.9","metadata":false},{"id":67456,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-6\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6","metadata":false},{"id":66545,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.01","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/27-6.01\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.01","metadata":false},{"id":86797,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.02","catch_line":"Provision of firefighting services","url":"\/27-6.02\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.02","metadata":false},{"id":70855,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.1","catch_line":"Establishment of fire department; chief, officers, and employees","url":"\/27-6.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.1","metadata":false},{"id":83645,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.2","catch_line":"Applicant preemployment information with fire departments","url":"\/27-6.2\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.2","metadata":false},{"id":78046,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-7","catch_line":"Bylaws of fire department; compensation of officers and employees; information on check stubs, time cards, etc","url":"\/27-7\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-7","metadata":false},{"id":67801,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-8","catch_line":"Who may form a fire company; limit on number of persons in combined companies","url":"\/27-8\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-8","metadata":false},{"id":56841,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-8.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/27-8.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-8.1","metadata":false},{"id":80425,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-9","catch_line":"Organization of fire company","url":"\/27-9\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86797,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.02","catch_line":"Provision of firefighting services","url":"\/27-6.02\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.02","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83645,"structure_id":13506,"section_number":"27-6.2","catch_line":"Applicant preemployment information with fire departments","url":"\/27-6.2\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/27-6.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 187 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2001, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0142\">142<\/a>; in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0410\">410<\/a>; in 2015, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0502\">502<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0503\">503<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86553,"section_number":"10.1-1136","catch_line":"Duties of forest wardens","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1136\/"},{"id":66545,"section_number":"27-6.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-6.01\/"},{"id":86797,"section_number":"27-6.02","catch_line":"Provision of firefighting services","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-6.02\/"},{"id":73713,"section_number":"27-98","catch_line":"Enforcement of Fire Prevention Code; appeals from decisions of local enforcing agencies; inspection of buildings","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-98\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":190153,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70855,"identifier":"27-6.1","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.1","url":"\/27-6.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/27-6.1\/","token":"27\/2\/1\/27-6.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Establishment of fire department; chief, officers, and employees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 27-6.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The governing body of any county, city, or town may establish a <span class=\"dictionary\">fire department<\/span> 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 <span class=\"dictionary\">fire department<\/span> shall be known as &#8220;the chief.&#8221; As many other officers and employees may be employed in such <span class=\"dictionary\">fire department<\/span> as the governing body may approve.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT; CHIEF, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES (\u00a7 27-6.1)\n\nThe governing body of any county, city, or town may establish a fire department\nas a department of government and may designate it by any name consistent with\nthe names of its other governmental units. The head of such fire department\nshall be known as &#8220;the chief.&#8221; As many other officers and employees\nmay be employed in such fire department as the governing body may approve.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 187; 2001, c. 142; 2008, c. 410; 2015, cc. 502, 503.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}