In the wake of a heroin overdose at the Occupy Vancouver encampment, fire officials have issued an order to remove tarps and unoccupied tents from the site effective Friday morning.

A man appearing to be in his late 20s or early 30s went into cardiac arrest at around 9:15 a.m. behind the Vancouver Art Gallery, where dozens have been living in tents since mid-October.

Tragedy was averted by an on-site volunteer medic, who administered CPR before ambulance paramedics arrived.

But Capt. Gabe Roder of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services said the incident is just the latest in a series of potential safety concerns at the camp that must be addressed.

"This morning's incident, which has been attributed to heroin overdose, further demonstrate the requirement to enforce appropriate fire and life safety measures," Roder said in a statement.

With the recent rainy weather, officials have noted several large tarps at the site covering multiple tents. The tarps would impede access in the event of an emergency, Roder said.

Firefighters also found two propane tanks at the encampment Thursday, despite an earlier directive prohibiting fuels of any type at the protest.

As a result, an order from the fire chief has been issued that will take effect at 10 a.m. Friday, requiring the removal of overhead tarps and canopies, unoccupied tents, flammable heat sources, propane and other fuels.

It also requires appropriate spacing be placed between tents, and that all occupied tents be identified for fire safety inspectors.

Mayor Gregor Robertson said he is "very frustrated" with the ongoing protest.

"I have huge concerns with safety on the site," he told reporters.

"The situation is degenerating and the city is monitoring this very closely."

He says city staff are negotiating with protesters daily in an attempt to convince them to move on.

"We want to see the encampment end," he said.

But the mayor isn't ready to set a hard deadline for the tent city to clear out.

"The cities that have set a hard date and that have gone in with an aggressive intervention, we've seen violence, we've seen arrests and we've seen the problem get worse," he said.

To view a livestream of a meeting between Vancouver police and the Occupy protesters, click here.