Fire protection: privately contracted fire prevention resources: public water sources.

Assembly Member Bryan's legislation addressing private fire prevention contractors establishes new protocols for their access to public water sources during active fire incidents. The measure, co-authored by Assembly Member McKinnor and Senator Cervantes, requires contractors to obtain explicit approval from incident command or jurisdictional authorities before connecting equipment to public water infrastructure. It also mandates the use of backflow prevention devices to protect water supply integrity.

The Office of Emergency Services must develop regulations requiring private contractors' equipment and vehicles to be clearly marked as non-emergency resources. The rules prohibit the use of emergency lights, sirens, or any labeling that could suggest affiliation with official fire departments or emergency response agencies. The office may consult both private fire prevention contractors and public fire agencies while crafting these standards.

The legislation preserves community water systems' existing authority over their distribution networks, explicitly stating that new equipment regulations cannot restrict their operational control. This maintains water utilities' independence in managing their infrastructure while implementing additional oversight of private contractors' water access during fire events.