Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, creates the Office of Emergency Services (OES) in the office of the Governor. The OES is responsible for addressing natural, technological, or man-made disasters and emergencies, including responsibility for activities necessary to prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of emergencies and disasters to people and property.

This bill would establish the Maritime Firefighting Mutual Aid Program within OES for the purpose of enhancing maritime firefighting capabilities of local fire departments. The bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require OES to conduct an all-risk maritime response capabilities assessment, as specified, and acquire and provide fire boats to local fire departments, as specified, and would require the local fire departments to utilize the fire boats to enhance local, regional, and mutual aid response capabilities. By requiring local fire departments to utilize fire boats, as provided, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also establish the Maritime Firefighting Mutual Aid Fund for purposes of the program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.