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Anaheim, CA 92805
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www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JANUARY 13, 2026
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR
THE PURPOSE OF LICENSING TRAINING MATERIALS AND
CURRICULUM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 09
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Waive Council Policy 4.1 and approve a Licensed Training Provider Agreement with The American National Red Cross for a three-year term, with a total contract amount not-to-exceed $100,000, to allow Anaheim Fire & Rescue to utilize American Red Cross training materials and issue nationally recognized course certifications; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designees, on behalf of the City of Anaheim, to execute the Agreement and any related documents, including any cost-neutral amendments and any documents contemplated by the Agreement, and to take such necessary or advisable actions to implement, fund, and administer the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The American Red Cross, founded in 1881, is one of the nation’s most recognized humanitarian organizations, providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and health and safety education. As part of its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering, the American Red Cross offers Licensed Training Provider (LTP) Agreements, which enable local governments and organizations to use official American Red Cross curriculum and materials to support in-house training programs. The American Red Cross is a trusted national leader in health and safety training, and its certifications are widely recognized in both professional and community settings.
Through the proposed agreement, Anaheim Fire & Rescue will be able to train and certify City staff in courses such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, which are offered throughout the year at the request of City departments. These training courses ensure that City employees are prepared to respond to medical emergencies in the workplace and community. Additionally, the agreement will support the annual training and certification of firefighter-paramedics in Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), ensuring Agreement with American Red Cross for the Purpose of Licensing Training Materials and Curriculum January 13, 2026
compliance with advanced certification requirements. This allows the City to deliver timely, nationally recognized training to all staff—from non-sworn employees to front- line emergency responders—aligned with their roles and responsibilities.
Council Policy 4.1 requires competitive bidding for services; however, city staff recommends waiving the policy due to the specialized nature of the licensing agreement and the limited number of nationally recognized organizations permitted to authorize curriculum use and certification issuance. These include:
American Red Cross
American Heart Association
Health & Safety Institute
The City has previously used the American Heart Association curriculum, and issuing certificates requires partnering with a third-party Authorized Training Center, which centralizes and controls the certification process. The Health & Safety Institute provides a similar licensing structure but is not as widely recognized by healthcare employers and public safety agencies. Following the evaluation of all three organizations, the staff determined that the American Red Cross best meets Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s operational needs.
The American Red Cross offers a streamlined and highly recognized system for issuing certifications. Under the LTP model, Anaheim Fire & Rescue instructors will be able to teach American Red Cross courses using approved materials and issue certifications directly, without an intermediary. Instructors will also use an online portal for registration and submission of training records, improving efficiency and ensuring that staff certifications remain accessible, verifiable, and aligned with national standards. The Agreement may also be utilized by other City departments for training needs that fall within the American Red Cross licensing scope.
This action supports Anaheim Strategic Plan – Goal E: Support Public Safety, Strategy 5, by assessing and enhancing the City’s emergency preparedness capabilities, resources, and tools to ensure Anaheim is properly positioned to respond to disasters.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 General Fund Budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachment:
1. Agreement with American Red Cross