201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #300
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4000
Fax: (714) 765-4008
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 23, 2026
FROM: FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC. FOR SURGE
AMBULANCE SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 15
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Approve an Agreement with Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $412,500, for a five-year term, to provide on-call surge ambulance services to Anaheim Fire & Rescue (AF&R); and,
2. Authorize the Fire Chief, or designees, on behalf of the City of Anaheim (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:
An effective emergency medical services (EMS) system must account for the periods when call volume exceeds what its day-to-day EMS Transport resources can absorb. On the busiest of those days — when simultaneous emergencies, hospital emergency department saturation, or a major incident draws down available EMS Transport units — Anaheim Fire & Rescue must be able to surge additional ambulances into service without delay. On-call surge ambulance services provide that safeguard, ensuring the community’s access to emergency medical transport remains reliable even when AF&R’s own resources are fully committed.
The City of Anaheim administers EMS within its jurisdiction pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.201. As recognized by the Orange County Health Care Agency, Anaheim is an exclusive operating area, preserving the City’s authority to provide pre-hospital EMS through its “201 rights” in the same manner and scope as it has since January 1, 1981. This authority allows Anaheim to maintain local control over its EMS program, whether services are delivered through AF&R’s in-house ambulance program, a contracted provider, or a combination of both.
Professional Services Agreement with Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. for Surge Ambulance Services June 23, 2026
In 2020, the City Council approved a transition from fully contracted ambulance transport to an in-house program staffed and supported by AF&R. Over the following years, AF&R acquired its ambulance fleet and hired and trained the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) needed to staff those units around the clock, while a contracted partner bridged coverage during the build-out.
With the in-house program now firmly established, the City’s remaining need is narrower but no less important: a qualified, contractually obligated partner that can provide on-call surge and backup ambulances during periods of peak demand.
On April 22, 2026, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Surge Ambulance Services was publicly posted on Anaheim's bidding platform, OpenGov. Eighteen (18) vendors downloaded the RFP as a prospective bidder. On May 14, 2026, Anaheim Fire & Rescue received three (3) qualified proposals which the RFP review committee evaluated in accordance with Council Policy 4.1. The review committee ranked the submitted proposals as follows:
Ambulance Services Provider Rank
Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. 1
Falck Mobile Health Corp. 2
Symons Emergency Specialties, Inc. 3
Following evaluation of the proposals received, Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. was selected as the most qualified provider to deliver the City’s on-call surge ambulance services.
Emergency Ambulance has served Southern California communities since 1977 and is headquartered in Brea, CA. The company maintains an active 911 presence in immediately adjacent jurisdictions, allowing them to surge into Anaheim rapidly without repositioning from distant locations. Operating from multiple strategically located deployment points and ambulance stations, Emergency Ambulance ensures rapid response times and consistent, high-quality care at a competitive price point.
Under this Agreement, Emergency Ambulance will serve as the City’s exclusive provider of surge and backup emergency ambulance services, except in exigent circumstances, working under the direction of AF&R, which retains authority over patient care and transport decisions. Services will include, but are not limited to:
• Providing on-call surge ambulances, staffed by two certified EMTs and equipped to Orange County EMS Agency (OCEMS) and California standards, activated during periods of high demand to supplement AF&R units and protect against response delays. • Supplying ambulance coverage for scheduled standby and special EMS events, including high-profile events at the City’s major venues.
Professional Services Agreement with Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. for Surge Ambulance Services June 23, 2026
• Coordinating mutual aid through a separate OCEMS-qualified provider for extremely rare situations where no City or Contractor ambulances are available.
All patient billing for surge transports will continue to be performed by the City; the Contractor is prohibited from billing patients, insurers, or other third parties directly. Residents or visitors of Anaheim will experience no change in service and will continue to receive the same level of emergency care and transport.
The selection of Emergency Ambulance reflects AF&R’s commitment to delivering exceptional emergency and community health services. Anaheim Fire & Rescue is confident this partnership will reinforce the City’s emergency transport safeguards and serve the Anaheim community well for years to come.
This Agreement supports Anaheim’s Strategic Plan Goal E – Support Public Safety.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in Anaheim Fire & Rescue's Fiscal Year 2026/27 proposed General Fund Budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachment:
1. Agreement with Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc.