Fire prevention: firefighting aircraft: pilot death benefits.

(1) Existing law requires that any contract entered into by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to retain the services of pilots to fly firefighting aircraft expressly provide that, if the pilot dies while performing the duties specified in the contract, eligible survivors, as defined, if any, of the pilot be paid a one-time death benefit, as determined according to prescribed requirements. This bill would instead require that express provision only in a contract entered into by the department with a nonpublic entity that includes a provision for the services of pilots to fly firefighting aircraft for the purpose of fighting fire if the aircraft is owned by, or on loan to, the department. (2) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.