Chapter 1. Organization of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 12. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 1.

(a) Fire companies in unincorporated towns may be organized by filing a certificate signed by the foreman or presiding officer and by the secretary, with the Fire and Rescue Operational Area Coordinator in the same county, or other county agency as designated by ordinance of the county board of supervisors.
  (b) Fire companies in incorporated cities may be organized, subject to any local ordinance established pursuant to Section 14832, by filing a certificate signed by the foreman or presiding officer and by the secretary, with the city council or other agency as designated by ordinance of the city council and with the Fire and Rescue Operational Area Coordinator in the same county as the city.

The certificate shall set forth the following matters:
  (a) The date of organization.
  (b) The name of the company.
  (c) The names of the officers.
  (d) The roll of active volunteer firefighters and those volunteer firefighters on leave.
  (e) Where an ordinance has been adopted pursuant to Section 14831, a copy of the determination of the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 14831.

The certificate shall be filed by February 1 of each year. The board of supervisors may, by ordinance, require an updated or second filing each year.

There shall not be in any one unincorporated town more than one company for each one thousand inhabitants, but one company may be allowed in any town where the population is less than one thousand.

An engine company may consist of not more than 65 certificate members; a hook-and-ladder company of not more than 65 certificate members; a hose company of not more than 25 certificate members; and a rescue squad company of not more than 25 certificate members.

Every fire company shall choose or elect a foreman, or president, who is the presiding officer, and a secretary and treasurer.

The board of supervisors of a county that has a population of 400,000 or more on or after January 1, 1985, may, by ordinance, regulate the formation and continued existence of fire companies. The board of supervisors may authorize the formation of any new fire company within the county where it determines that a reasonable level of fire services does not already exist and where the provision of supplemental or competing fire services by any other entity would not result in the mismanagement of emergencies or in confusion to those seeking aid. The board of supervisors may order that any fire companies formed pursuant to this part may continue to exist upon making the determination that the circumstances stated above exist. The board of supervisors may, by ordinance, establish additional regulations and criteria for the establishment and ongoing operation of fire companies organized pursuant to this part.

The city council of an incorporated city may, by ordinance, regulate the formation and continued existence of fire companies providing services within its city.

Fire company vehicles granted exempt California vehicle registration or displaying exempt California license plates shall be properly insured, marked, and identified as a fire company vehicle. The fire company shall not allow those vehicles to be loaned, rented, or used for personal pleasure or by for-profit businesses for private economic gain of a business or contractor. This limitation is not intended to prohibit or hinder the fire company's legitimate use of fire company vehicles for emergency services, including contract arrangements or agreements to provide temporary emergency services or standby services to organizations or governmental agencies requesting those services.