Senate Bill 13-270 Summary

• Creates the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund to provide immediate funding for the first aerial tanker flight or first hour of firefighting helicopter operations and the first two days of wildfire hand crew employment at the request of local fire departments or sheriffs.

• Allows the Governor to transfer moneys from the Disaster Emergency Fund to the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund when a wildfire-related disaster emergency is imminent.

• Creates the Wildfire Preparedness Fund to support preparedness activities including purchase of fire shelters for volunteer fire departments and annual planning for aerial firefighting resources, equipment availability, and wildfire hand crew deployment.

• Transfers $500,000 from insurance premium taxes to the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund by July 1, 2013, and directs $3.25 million from mineral leasing funds to the Wildfire Preparedness Fund for fiscal years 2012-2013.

• Requires development of an annual Wildfire Preparedness Plan (updated by March 15, submitted by April 1) by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control in collaboration with county sheriffs, fire chiefs' association, and emergency management officials.