Assembly Member Petrie-Norris's proposal to establish California's first autonomous firefighting helicopter program reflects mounting concerns over the state's emergency response capacity amid intensifying climate disasters. The legislation directs the Office of Emergency Services to create a pilot program that would test and integrate an autonomous firefighting helicopter into the state's emergency response operations.

The pilot program encompasses three primary components: configuring the autonomous aircraft, familiarizing emergency personnel with the technology, and conducting training activities to prepare for operational deployment. According to the bill's findings, autonomous aircraft could expand firefighting capabilities by enabling operations during nighttime and low-visibility conditions that pose risks to human pilots. The technology also allows for pre-positioning aircraft in remote areas to reduce response times.

The measure builds upon existing collaboration between the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which jointly manage the state's comprehensive wildfire mitigation efforts. While the bill requires no new appropriations, it mandates fiscal committee review to evaluate the program's budgetary implications, including equipment acquisition, training costs, and ongoing operational expenses.