Chapter 3. Firescope Program of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 12. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 3.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the FIRESCOPE Act of 1989.

The Office of Emergency Services shall establish and administer a program, which shall be denominated the FIRESCOPE Program (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), to maintain and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managing multiagency firefighting resources in responding to an incident. The program shall be based on the concepts and components developed or under development by the Firescope project chartered by the United States Congress in 1972. The program shall provide for the research, development, and implementation of technologies, facilities, and procedures to assist state and local fire agencies in the better utilization and coordination of firefighting resources in responding to incidents.

The goal of the FIRESCOPE Program is the improvement of fire incident management and the coordination of multiagency firefighting resources on major or multiple incidents. The program shall include, but is not limited to, the following areas as part of its research, development, and implementation objectives:
  (a) Improved methods to coordinate multiagency firefighting resources during major incidents.
  (b) Improved methods for forecasting fire behavior.
  (c) The capability to assess fire, weather, and terrain conditions at the scene of an incident.
  (d) Standard fire terminology for improving incident management.
  (e) Improved multiagency fire communications.
  (f) Multiagency training on FIRESCOPE components and products.
  (g) A common mapping system, including orthophoto maps.
  (h) Improved fire information management systems.
  (i) Regional operational coordination centers for regional multiagency coordination of firefighting resources.

The Office of Emergency Services shall carry out this chapter in cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors within the Office of Emergency Services.