Article 5.7. Firefighting Thermal Imaging Equipment Act Of 2001 of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 2. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 5.7.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Firefighting Thermal Imaging Equipment Act of 2001.

As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:
  (a) "Agency" or "office" means the Office of Emergency Services.
  (b) "Local agency" means any city, county, city and county, fire district, special district, or joint powers agency that provides fire suppression services. "Local agency" also includes a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.
  (c) "Secretary" or "director" means the Director of Emergency Services.
  (d) "State agency" means any state agency providing residential or institutional fire protection, including, but not limited to, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

There is established in the office a thermal imaging equipment purchasing program under which the office shall acquire firefighting thermal imaging equipment on behalf of local and state agencies that are interested in obtaining this equipment.

In administering the purchasing program, the director shall do all of the following:
  (a) No later than 45 days after the effective date of this article, establish an advisory committee, which shall be comprised of representatives of organizations including, but not limited to, the California Fire Chiefs Association, the Fire Districts Association of California, the California Professional Firefighters, the CDF Firefighters, and the California State Firefighters Association, Inc. The committee shall meet no later than 30 days after all members are appointed.
  (b) Consult with the advisory committee regarding equipment specifications and other matters relating to the acquisition of thermal imaging equipment, and require the advisory committee to formulate specifications no later than 120 days after its initial meeting.
  (c) Notify all local and state agencies about the purchasing program, including the opportunity to purchase additional units at the contract price, and determine whether those agencies are interested in obtaining thermal imaging equipment.
  (d) Purchase thermal imaging equipment at the lowest possible price from a reliable vendor that meets specified requirements. It is the intent of the Legislature that the director enter into a multiyear contract for this purpose no later than 180 days after the committee formulates specifications pursuant to subdivision (b).
  (e) Include a provision in the vendor contract allowing any local or state agency to purchase additional units directly from the vendor at the contract price.
  (f) Any local agency that elects to participate in the thermal imaging equipment purchasing program shall pay one-half of the contract price for each piece of equipment purchased on its behalf by the state.

(a) The director shall seek funding for the program from the private sector, grant programs, and other appropriate sources.
  (b) The director, after consultation with the advisory commission, shall distribute equipment purchased under the program in order to maximize its utilization by firefighters based on consideration of the following factors:
  (1) Ability to share or move the equipment to fire locations.
  (2) Availability of existing thermal imaging equipment.
  (3) Geography.
  (4) Need based on frequency of fires.