Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
08/4/26 06:00 PM
City Manager Department
Rochelle Clayton
Other
Doc ID: 6521
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
AGENDA MATTER:
FIRE BOARD DISCUSSION TO CONSIDER CONTRACTING WITH CONFIRE (JOINT POWERS
AUTHORITY) FOR BARSTOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT EMERGENCY DISPATCH,
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS), AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION NURSE SYSTEM.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Barstow Fire Protection District is requesting Fire Board discussion to consider a bid for service to enhance fire, rescue, emergency medical communications, resource coordination, and advance technological services to meet the current and evolving safety and welfare needs of all Community Members and Visitors served.
DISCUSSION:
If considered, this contract will provide the enhanced Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical services our community needs. This proposal will enable efficient emergency response and strengthen the Barstow Fire District’s commitment to a modern, expedient service model.
In addition to 9-1-1 call handling and emergency dispatch services, CONFIRE offers its agencies several advanced capabilities including:
• Nationally Accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols (EMD) • Emergency Communications Nurse Triage (ECNS)
• Chief Fire Officer on duty in Dispatch Centers (during work week) • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advanced and Live Mapping Capabilities • Tablet Command Integration
• Integrated Station Alerting system (West Net)
• Automated Voice Dispatch
• CAD to CAD connections with regional dispatch centers • Operational Area Resource Coordination (Fire, EMS, Hazardous Materials, USAR) • Direct dispatch of Air Ambulance providers
• New Valley Communications Center (opening in 2026 in San Bernardino) • Fully capable second center (Hesperia)
• Text to 9-1-1 and enhanced caller location capability Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
08/4/26 06:00 PM
City Manager Department
Rochelle Clayton
Other
Doc ID: 6521
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
• PulsePoint (Public Safety Alerting System, Certified CPR Responder, AED Locations) • Minimum Daily Staffing (Per 12-Hour Shift):
Dispatch Supervisors (2)
Fire Dispatcher (8)
Dispatch Call Takers (3)
Dispatch Fire Battalion Chiefs (2)
Total: (15)
This comprehensive communications and dispatch system is designed to enhance operational readiness, reduce response times, and improve public safety outcomes. With strong technological integration, skilled staffing, and infrastructure investments, the region is well-positioned to handle both routine emergencies and large-scale incidents effectively.
An agreement with CONFIRE also enables a more efficient, expedited response by the City of Barstow Police Department. As a result, reducing the workload obligation of Police Dispatchers allows for a focused approach to Law Enforcement Dispatch within the City of Barstow. There is no recommendation to reduce staffing for Police Dispatch.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Fiscal Impact is estimated to be approximately $450,000 annually; there is no funding source identified and this would need to be appropriated.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that the Fire Board:
1. Authorize the Fire District Administrator/City Manager, or their designee, to negotiate a contract with the Consolidated Fire Agencies (CONFIRE) Joint Powers Authority on behalf of the Barstow Fire Protection District for emergency dispatch, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Emergency Communication Nurse System; and
2. Identify an appropriate funding source, estimated to be approximately $450,000 annually.