(a) (1) Beginning July 1, 2030, a water supplier shall have access to sufficient backup energy sources to operate critical fire suppression infrastructure needed to supply water for at least 24 hours for the purpose of fire suppression in high or very high fire hazard severity zones in the County of Ventura or have access to alternative sources of water supplied by a different water supplier or agency that can serve this same purpose of supplying backup water to critical wells and water pumps for 24 hours. If backup energy sources are not equipped with an automatic or remote transfer switch, backup power shall be turned on as soon as practically possible after deenergization. For backup energy sources equipped with an automatic or remote transfer switch, backup power shall be turned on within 30 minutes of a loss in power. For water suppliers with alternative sources of water supplied by others, the source of water shall be available within 30 minutes and supply the amount of water otherwise supplied by the water supplier. (2) In the event that the backup energy source used by the water supplier to meet the requirements in paragraph (1) is not a permanent and stationary source of energy, a water supplier may use mobile backup energy sources or procure an energy source via an established mutual aid agreement provided the backup energy source can provide power within 12 hours of the National Weather Service alerting the region of a red flag warning and provide power for at least 24 hours after a loss of power and within 60 minutes of a loss of power. (3) A water supplier that has entered into a contract to procure backup energy sources in compliance with paragraph (1) before July 1, 2030, but has not received the backup energy source by July 1, 2030, shall be considered to be in compliance with this subdivision if the water supplier has access to, or possession of, the backup energy source by January 1, 2033. (b) (1) The water supplier shall identify critical fire suppression infrastructure or alternative sources of water and provide that identification to the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services no later than May 1, 2026. If any changes are made to the list by the water supplier, the water supplier shall provide an updated list to the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services within 120 days of the changes being made. (2) The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services shall establish procedures for a water supplier to provide the identification required in paragraph (1) by March 1, 2026, including procedures for updating or amending the information at the request of the office. (c) (1) By January 1, 2027, the Ventura County Fire Department shall develop minimum fire safety standards, in consultation with water suppliers and local fire departments, for the purpose of fire hardening critical fire suppression infrastructure and backup energy sources located in the high or very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). (2) Upon completion of the minimum fire safety standards required by paragraph (1), the Ventura County Fire Department shall annually inspect critical fire suppression infrastructure and backup energy sources located in the high or very high fire hazard severity zone to ensure critical fire suppression infrastructure and backup energy sources located in high or very high fire hazard severity zones meet fire safety standards developed by the Ventura County Fire Department. If there is a local fire department in the area being inspected, the inspection by the Ventura County Fire Department shall occur in consultation with the local fire department. (3) Upon completion of the minimum fire safety standards required by paragraph (1), the water supplier shall annually inspect critical fire suppression infrastructure and backup energy sources serving the high or very high fire hazard severity zone, but not located within the zone, to ensure functionality. (d) (1) (
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