On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued the Lakshadweep Fire and Emergency Service Regulation, 2026 to provide for the maintenance of Fire and Emergency Service and to make more effective provisions for fire prevention and fire safety measures in various categories of buildings and premises in the Union territory of the Lakshadweep.
Key Features:
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These Regulations come under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution.
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As soon as these Regulations are notified, a Fire and Emergency Service for the the Union territory will be established.
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Fire and Emergency Service will consist of:
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Director or Chief Fire Officer as designated by the Administrator-ex officio;
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Deputy Chief Fire Officer;
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Station Fire Officer or Station Officer (Fire Service);
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Sub-Fire Officer;
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Leading Fireman.
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Director/ Chief Fire Officer:
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will be directing and regulating matters relating to fire safety and prevention, firefighting equipment, machinery and appliances, training, events of mutual relations, distribution of duties, study of laws, orders and modes of proceedings and all matters of executive details or the fulfilment of duties and maintenance of discipline of fire officers and employees of the fire and emergency service.
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He will be the head of the office corresponding with the Government for the development of the fire and emergency service, formulate the policies, prepare and submit plans and proposals to the Government, investigate or direct investigation, implement the effective human resource development policies, etc.
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Fire Safety Officer:
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Fire Safety Officer will be appointed to ensure effective implementation of fire prevention and life safety measures for the factory, buildings or premises.
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He will have to undergo training at the Fire and Emergency Service Training Institute.
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Fire and Emergency Response:
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The Fire Officer will have to ensure timely turnouts of fire units to respond to fire and emergency related calls.
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The Director, Chief Fire Officer/ Fire Officer will have to ensure deployment of fire and emergency service resources, equipment and fire personnel at stand- by duties during any fire response/ emergency situation.
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The Director, Chief Fire Officer/ Fire Officer will have to ensure the planning, organizing and deployment of the staff, maintaining details of such planning and deployment of the employee and will also have to ensure regular monitoring of the fire or emergency sites.
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The Director or Fire Officer can draw water from any source in the area which he considers necessary during firefighting operations.
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The Director, Chief Fire Officer or Fire Officer will have to ensure that the water demand for firefighting in the area is in accordance with the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization Manual, 1999.
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No charge will be made by any local authority for water consumed in firefighting operations by the fire and emergency service.
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No authority in charge of water supply in any area will be entitled to any claim for compensation for damage by reason of any interruption of supply of water caused.
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Fire rescue operation: Any member of the fire and emergency service, who is in-charge of firefighting operations on the spot can:
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Remove or order removal of anyone whose presence is disturbing or slowing down rescue or firefighting work.
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Block or close nearby streets or pathways if needed.
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Break into, pass through, or even partly demolish buildings if necessary to fight the fire or carry out rescue, while causing as little damage as possible.
The owner/occupier will be paid compensation for any damage caused.
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Ask water authorities to adjust supply or pressure and use water from any source (public or private) to fight the fire.
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Disperse crowds that may obstruct the operation, using powers similar to a police officer handling unlawful gathering.
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Detain anyone who intentionally obstructs firefighters and hand them over to the police promptly, with reasons recorded.
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Make agreements with individuals or organizations that have firefighting personnel or equipment to assist during fires.
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Take any necessary action to put out the fire and protect life and property.
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Fire tax and other charges:
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A fire tax will be charged on all properties that already pay property tax, which will be in addition to the property tax.
Government owned buildings or buildings under Government control will be exempt. -
Authority collecting property taxes will also be assessing and collecting fire taxes.
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In case the fire services are sent outside their area then the requesting authority will have to pay a fee within 1 month of receiving the demand notice.
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No fee will be charged for firefighting/ rescue within the Union Territory.
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Fees will be charged in the following cases:
✓ When fire services are charged for special duties, like events, large gatherings, standby arrangements.
✓ Fire safety training on request.
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Any amount under this regulation will be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
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Fire Prevention and Life Safety Fund: The proceeds of fire tax, fee and penalties other than fines recovered under this Regulation, will be credited to this Fund after deduction of the expenses of collection and recovery therefrom.
[Lakshadweep Fire and Emergency Service Regulation, 2026, dt. 15 May 2026]