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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 1Art. 2§ 53021 Emergency Defense Services Authority

§ 53021 Emergency Defense Services Authority

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 53021 Emergency Defense Services Authority

Key Takeaways

  • •Local agencies can spend money or provide services to protect people and property during emergencies like attacks, sabotage, or disasters.
  • •If a city or town helps with fires, the place asking for help must already have its own fire department.
  • •Even if there’s a budget limit, the local agency can still spend money on emergencies if they officially decide it’s needed.
  • •The money for these emergency actions can come from any available public funds, as long as it’s not against the Constitution.

Example

A big wildfire starts near a small town, and the town’s fire department can’t handle it alone.

The town can ask a nearby city for help with extra firefighters and equipment. The city can spend money to send help, even if it wasn’t in their original budget, because it’s an emergency. The city’s leaders just need to agree and say which funds to use.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 53021 Emergency Defense Services Authority

Services performed or expenditures made by a local agency within or without its territorial limits are conclusively deemed for the direct protection and benefit of its inhabitants and property if made or performed for: (a) A national or local emergency created by military attack or sabotage. (b) Providing adequate national or local defense. (c) A local emergency, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 8558. (d) Before one local agency may respond to a request for material fire protection or aid pursuant to this article the requesting agency must have primary fire protection by an organized fire department pursuant to law, and the request for aid must come from the chief or other authorized agent of such requesting agency. Notwithstanding budget limitations and restrictions imposed by law, except limitations imposed by the Constitution, all such services performed or expenditures made are payable from any funds of the public agency rendering the services or making the expenditure upon the adoption of a resolution by the governing body of that agency determining that the services were performed or the expenditures were made in connection with such an emergency and designating the fund or funds from which the obligation is to be paid. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 38.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

resolutionadoptionobligationprotectiondisasterpropertyfirebenefit

Related Statutes

  • § 23010 County Loans To Districts
  • § 23010.1 County Loans To Fire Districts
  • § 29127 Emergency Expenditure Authority
  • § 91544 Authority Dissolution And Assets
  • § 56855 Fire District Annexation Contracts

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 53021.
View Official Source