STAFF REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
DATE: September 15, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chen Suen, Fire Chief
By: Richard Oishi, Deputy Fire Chief
SUBJECT: PURCHASE ORDER WITH THE CITY OF GLENDALE’S VERDUGO FIRE
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FOR THE PURCHASE OF IPADS, HAVIS
MOUNTS, AND RELATED MOUNTING COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR
THE VERDUGO COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH (“CAD”) UPGRADE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,242
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Arcadia Fire Department receives emergency fire and medical dispatch services through the Verdugo Fire Communications Center ("Verdugo"). As part of its Computer Aided Dispatch ("CAD") system upgrade, participating agencies are required to provide compatible equipment that interfaces with the Verdugo system.
After assessing the Arcadia Fire Department’s existing Mobile Data Computer (“MDC”) system, Verdugo determined that Arcadia would need to purchase 18 Apple iPads, 16 Havis mounts, and related mounting components. This purchase will replace all MDCs from the Fire Department’s emergency response vehicles, and totals $38,242. Sufficient funds have been allocated in the FY 2026-27 Fire Communication and Technology Equipment Replacement Budget for this purchase.
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Purchase Order with the City of Glendale’s Verdugo Fire Communications Center for the purchase of iPads, Havis mounts, and related mounting components required for the Verdugo CAD upgrade project, in the amount of $38,242.
Purchase Order for iPads and Mounting Components
September 15, 2026
BACKGROUND
The Verdugo system provides regional fire and emergency medical dispatch services, and supports coordinated communications among participating agencies, including the City of Arcadia. Current dispatch technology and the regionalized approach by Verdugo allow the Fire Department to meet industry standards for response times.
The City of Arcadia’s 2014 Agreement with City of Glendale’s Verdugo Fire Communications Center for dispatch services identifies the responsibilities of its participating cities, including their equipment that interface with the Verdugo system.
Section IB of the Agreement, “Responsibilities of Contracting City”, requires the City of Arcadia to provide equipment, hardware, and software that interface with the Verdugo System. Additionally, Section II, “Equipment”, requires the City to purchase, install, test, and maintain the equipment and hardware necessary to perform its responsibilities under Section IB of the Agreement, and is responsible for all costs related to the purchase and installation of such equipment. Accordingly, Arcadia is contractually responsible for the cost of the equipment necessary to maintain compatibility with Verdugo’s upgraded CAD system.
DISCUSSION
In FY 2025-26, as part of the required Verdugo Dispatch CAD upgrade, the need for mobile equipment to support incident dispatch information in the field was identified, which would replace all MDCs in Fire Department emergency response vehicles. The required equipment for Arcadia consists of the purchase and installation of 18 Apple iPads, 16 Havis mounts, and related mounting equipment to Fire Department emergency response vehicles. These devices and mounts offer a standardized mobile platform for receiving and accessing CAD information, including data utilized for dispatching, incident coordination, and unit status. Standardizing the mobile CAD platform also supports interoperability with the broader Verdugo Dispatch Area.
The total cost for the required equipment is $38,242. This purchase is essential for completing the City of Arcadia’s portion of the CAD upgrade and ensuring continued compatibility with Verdugo’s regional dispatch platform. Verdugo is coordinating the acquisition and purchase of the standardized equipment on behalf of participating
Purchase Order for iPads and Mounting Components
September 15, 2026
agencies, and Arcadia is responsible for reimbursing Verdugo for its allocated equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for the 18 iPads, 16 Havis mounts, and related mounting components required for the Verdugo CAD upgrade is $38,242. Under the City's Agreement for fire dispatch services, the contracting city (e.g. City of Arcadia) shall be responsible for all costs related to the purchase of equipment and hardware necessary to interface with, and support, the Verdugo system. In the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fire Communication and Technology Equipment Replacement Budget, $200,000 has been budgeted for this purchase. The budgeted amount is substantially higher than the final expense because the budget was developed before the exact number of units and pieces of equipment were known.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council find that the proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"); and approve a Purchase Order with the City of Glendale’s Verdugo Fire Communications Center for the purchase of iPads, Havis mounts, and related mounting components, required for the Verdugo Computer Aided Dispatch (“CAD”) upgrade, in the amount of $38,242.