(a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a growing need to find new ways to acquire firefighting apparatus and equipment for use by local agencies. Local agencies, particularly those that serve rural areas, have had, and are likely to continue to have, difficulty acquiring firefighting apparatus and equipment. The Legislature further finds and declares that this situation presents a statewide problem for the protection of the public safety.

(b) In enacting this article, the Legislature intends to create new ways for the Office of Emergency Services to help local agencies acquire firefighting apparatus and equipment. Through the identification of available apparatus and equipment, the acquisition of new and used apparatus and equipment, the refurbishing and resale of used apparatus and equipment, and assisting the financing of resales, the Office of Emergency Services will help local agencies meet public safety needs.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 142. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)