The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the maintenance of the economic well-being of the state and the public health and safety require that the state, through the department, obtain full utilization of all equipment, personnel, and buildings under the jurisdiction of the director. In order to obtain these benefits, the director, in accordance with policy determined by the board, may provide personnel for and operate those fire stations, statewide, as the director deems necessary to provide the best possible fire prevention and suppression. Personnel or equipment shall not be assigned to any location or assigned pursuant to Section 4144 if that assignment would not meet policy and standards established by the board. The policy and standards shall be designed to ensure all of the following:

(a) The striking force and efficiency of the department in its primary mission of wild land fire protection, as well as response to major fires or other natural disasters will not be reduced or impaired.

(b) The department will not need any additional funds to operate its program.

(c) Personnel and equipment assigned pursuant to Section 4144 will not replicate services provided under an agreement made pursuant to Section 4142.

The normal assignment of fire resources of the department throughout California during periods of critical fire weather conditions or during major wild land fires shall not be impaired and shall receive priority over agreements made with counties pursuant to Section 4144.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 408, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)