Baltimore committee hears bill to bar unauthorized people from active emergency scenes

Summary

Baltimore City Council Public Safety Committee heard testimony on proposed ordinance 25-00018 that would create an exclusion zone at emergency scenes and prohibit unauthorized people from entering; supporters say it protects traumatized residents and first responders, while restoration companies and public adjusters say it will delay needed work.

The Baltimore City Public Safety Committee on Feb. 10, 2025, heard testimony on proposed ordinance 25-00018, which would allow a fire chief or the chief’s designee to establish an emergency scene boundary and prohibit unauthorized persons from entering while first responders operate.

Councilwoman Ramos, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure aims to protect residents and allow first responders to work without interruption. "What this bill does is it establishes a very defined emergency scene," Ramos said, describing the boundary as tape or another type of barricade and listing who would be allowed inside it.

The proposal would explicitly permit first responders, survivors and family members, Department of Housing and Community Development personnel, and city officials to be inside the marked area; it would also give the fire chief discretion to leave barriers in place after the fire if public safety hazards remain. "The fire department really has 3 main points we have to address on any incident. It's life safety,…

Baltimore committee hears bill to bar unauthorized people from active emergency scenes

Summary

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