17. Declaration of Fire Service to be an essential service to the community.
(1)Without prejudice to the provisions of any other law on the subject for the time being in force, the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare the Fire Service to be an essential service to the community.(2)A declaration made under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for six months in the first instance, but may be extended from time to time by a like notification.(3)Upon a declaration being made under sub-section (1) and so long as it remains in force, it shall be the duty of every fire officer to obey an order given by any superior officer in relation to any employment in connection with the service specified in the declaration.
