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 AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 23, 2026
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULES FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2026/27
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 24-F
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council, by three (3) separate Resolutions, authorize the adjustment of existing fees and the establishment of new fees to be charged by the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27.
DISCUSSION:
The Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department (Anaheim Fire & Rescue) provides emergency response, risk reduction, and regulatory oversight services essential to protecting the community. While core emergency services are supported by the General Fund, event- based, business-related, and regulatory services are structured to recover costs through user fees. Annual reviews ensure fees remain aligned with service delivery costs and labor expenses. The proposed FY 2026/27 adjustments reflect current operational demands and support program sustainability.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) represent one of the most visible and resource- intensive functions. In addition to responding to 9-1-1 calls citywide, Anaheim Fire & Rescue provides dedicated EMS coverage for major events, gatherings, and venues that attract large numbers of visitors. The current transport fee schedule includes an Advanced Life Support (ALS) rate but does not distinguish Basic Life Support (BLS) transports.
Operationally, however, EMS care is tiered and many patients receive BLS treatment that does not require advanced interventions. Establishing a BLS rate aligns charges with the level of care provided and improves billing transparency.
Medical supplies are currently itemized separately for ALS transports, creating administrative inefficiencies. Because supply usage is consistent and predictable, the department proposes incorporating average supply costs into the ALS rate, resulting in a 7% increase. By bundling average supply costs into the ALS base rate, complicated billing steps are reduced, invoice clarity improve and reimbursement becomes more consistent.
Accordingly, the fee schedule will be revised to eliminate the separate medical supply line items and reflect the updated bundled rate structure.
Fire and Rescue Department Fee Schedules for Fiscal Year 2026/27 June 23, 2026
As Anaheim continues to host high-attendance conventions, sporting events, and entertainment venues, Anaheim Fire & Rescue frequently assigns EMS teams to operate on-site. These deployments require supervisory oversight to coordinate personnel, interface with event organizers, and ensure compliance with approved safety plans. A Captain/Supervisor rate of $150 per hour is proposed to reflect this necessary supervisory component, which has historically been absorbed in the base budget but has become routine due to increased event frequency. In addition, we propose a 7% increase to special event rates in response to the growing number and scale of events, which have placed increased demand on personnel, apparatus, equipment, and administrative resources. This adjustment ensures appropriate cost recovery and protects core emergency response services from subsidizing event-related activities. Increased cost recovery resulting from these changes will potentially be $819,000 for FY 2026/27.
The Life Safety Program, administered through the Community Risk Reduction Division, provides a comprehensive range of prevention and compliance services intended to protect the community.
These services include, but are not limited to, fire safety inspections, issuance of fire code permits, and detailed plan review services to ensure compliance with the California Fire Code and applicable local regulations.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue recommends a 3% increase to most fees associated with the Life Safety Program to account for rising operational costs and ongoing service delivery needs. One category of fees that will exceed the 3% adjustment are the variable rates under the Plan Check Fees for Trade Shows. These fees are calculated using an adopted base rate of $86 per hour, with all listed charges established as proportional increments of this hourly rate based on total billable time. For example, a two-hour service would result in a fee of $172, while a 2.5-hour service would result in a fee of $215. The proposed adjustments to these variable rates reflect an overall increase of approximately 4-5% across the schedule. Increased cost recovery resulting from these changes will potentially be $25,000 for FY 2026/27.
Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Program oversees hazardous materials storage, hazardous waste generators, underground storage tanks, and related regulatory programs mandated by the State of California. CUPA operates under a self-funding model in which regulatory fees are structured to recover the full cost of program administration and enforcement. Personnel expenses constitute the majority of program costs, including inspections, compliance assistance, enforcement actions, and state reporting requirements.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue recommends a 9% increase for all fees related to CUPA program to correspond with increased personnel costs and salary adjustments. Because staffing costs represent the primary expenditure within the program, adjustments to compensation directly impact overall program operating expenses. Without a corresponding fee adjustment, the program would not fully recover the cost of providing mandated regulatory oversight and compliance services. The proposed increase ensures continued fiscal sustainability of the self-supporting program, maintains service levels and enforcement capacity, and prevents cost shifts to the General Fund or other department operations. Increased cost recovery resulting from these changes will potentially be $137,000 for FY 2026/27.
Fire and Rescue Department Fee Schedules for Fiscal Year 2026/27 June 23, 2026
Resolutions for each fee increase are attached to this report and include exhibits detailing the proposed fees.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Revenue from the proposed fee changes is estimated to be $981,000 and is included in the proposed FY 2026/27 Budget for Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Russell
Fire Chief
Attachments:
1. Resolution – Emergency Medical Services Fees
2. Resolution – Life Safety Fees
3. Resolution – Hazardous Materials Program (CUPA) Fees