Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.{{item.number}}
Meeting Date: March 5, 2025
From: Michael Contreras
Title: Fire Department Staff Review
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
BACKGROUND:
As a public safety organization, expenditures on staffing, equipment, and emergency response services constitute a significant portion of the budget. The goal of this report is to provide a comprehensive review of the Fire Department’s staffing levels, operational enhancements, and financial outlook. This report also aligns with the department’s strategic objectives and projected service growth.
DISCUSSION:
The Fire Department is made up of the following divisions:
•Fire Administration
•Fire Emergency Services
•Fire Ambulance Services
•Fire Prevention
•Emergency Management
The following table compares authorized staffing in the Fire department in FY13-14 to FY24-25:
STAFFING FY13-14 FY20-21
COVID
FY22-23
Adopted
Current
FY24-25
Adopted
Change
from
FY 13-14
Administrative
Staff 3 3 3 3 0
Command Staff 1 1 1 2.5 +1.5
Safety Personnel 33 36 39 39 +6
Ambulance
Operators 0 0 9 9 +9
Total Fire
Personnel 37 40 52 53.5
+16.5
Increase
of 45%
The Fire Administration Division is responsible for managing the City’s emergency services and ambulance services (life safety), public education, fire prevention/protection, and emergency management (disaster preparedness) programs. There are five main components in this program:
•Financial Management
•Fire Department Planning
•Records Management
•Facilities/Equipment Maintenance.
•Personnel Management
The Fire Emergency Services Division (Suppression and Paramedic fire engines and fire trucks) is designed to reduce injuries, deaths, reduce environmental damage, and property losses due to medical emergencies, fires, hazardous materials incidents, and physical and natural disasters, and provide advanced life support and emergency transport services.
There are five main components to this program:
•Emergency Service
•Non-Emergency Service
•Patient Assessment
•Patient Treatment
•Emergency Transportation Service
Cathedral City Fire & EMS staffs three fire department ambulances, with two dual role Firefighter/Paramedics and/or Ambulance Operator EMT’s on each unit, responding to all requests for medical assistance. Dual Role Firefighter/Paramedics are specially trained to provide intravenous drug therapy, monitor heart rhythms, and stabilize patients prior to transportation by the city ambulance to a hospital. Because of their dual roles, perform firefighter duties as well. In addition to the Firefighter/Paramedic staffed ambulances, fire companies are staffed with paramedic personnel creating a layered response system which provides advanced life support services to the community.
Key achievements include:
•Reduced turnout time by 40% (42 seconds) from 2022-2024 •Transitioned Fire Department files to SharePoint/OneDrive for security •Implemented a performance monitoring dashboard in 2024 for data-driven decisions •Partnered with Desert Regional Medical Center for Fall Prevention Classes •Expanded community risk reduction programs
The Fire Prevention Division is designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and property loss resulting from hazardous conditions. Fire prevention efforts are part of the overall community risk reduction process, which is a critical aspect of the fire protection delivery system.
Effective fire prevention programs aid in reducing potential fire sources, ultimately reducing the number of fires annually. Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Prevention program is responsible for the coordination of the department’s public education programs, engine company inspections, and fire inspector state-mandated residential and business inspections. These activities are provided throughout the community on an annual basis.
There are six main components to this program:
•Public Education
•Business Inspections
•Development Review/Plan Checking
•System Checks
•Fire/Arson Investigation
•Fire-setter Counseling
Key achievements include:
•Hired a part-time Fire Marshal in 2023, increasing fire prevention oversight and annual inspection compliance
•Received a grant to update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
•Hosted eight Disaster Preparedness Workshops and three CERT Classes annually The City’s Ambulance (Paramedic) Services Division provides advanced life support and emergency ambulance service with two primary labor categories:
•Dual Role Firefighter/Paramedics are specially trained to provide advanced life support (ALS) to patients during emergency incidents. Advanced life support patient care includes pharmacology, cardiology, bandaging and splinting of traumatic injuries, and advanced airway management to stabilize patients during transport to the hospital by the city ambulances. Paramedic personnel, because of their dual roles, perform firefighter and other all hazard duties as well. In addition to the Firefighter/Paramedic staffed ambulances, fire companies are staffed with paramedic personnel creating a layered response system which provides advanced life support services to the community.
•Single role Ambulance Operator/EMTs are trained to provide basic life support (BLS) to patients during emergency incidents. Basic life support patient care includes basic pharmacology, basic airway management, and bandaging and splinting of traumatic injuries while on scene of emergency incidents. Ambulance Operator/EMTs operate the ambulance during transport to a hospital while a Firefighter/Paramedic partner provides patient care in the patient compartment of the ambulance.
The City’s Emergency Management Division of the Fire Department provides for the Disaster Preparedness Program to support the needs of the community before, during and after a disaster. There are four main components of the program:
•Emergency Operations Center Management
•Equipment and Supplies
•Staff Training on the Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) and National Information Management System (NIMS)
•Creation and development of the city’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Local Hazardous Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
The program is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining disaster preparedness programs to recruit, educate, and train interested community participants. This program also ensures the ongoing readiness of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and ensures city staff is adequately trained to activate, operate, and deactivate the EOC. Coordination of these programs provides a better foundation for early recovery after a disaster occurs.
GOALS FOR 2025
•Continue Community Risk Reduction Programs
•Fully train new and existing fire personnel to meet safety standards •Initiate specialized rescue training (HazMat, Technical Rescue, Swift Water, Rope Rescue, and Department Safety Officer)
•Re-implement Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
•Obtain an ISO rating of 2
OPERATIONAL READINESS AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
•Increase funds to address aging fleet and replace engines •Additional support for reserve ambulance maintenance for Measure W implementation
•Upgrades for copier systems, radio communications, and specialized tools •Enhancing reliability and maintaining quick response times
TRAINING, ACCREDITATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•Increased funding for accreditation, paramedic re-certification, and specialized training (Hazmat, Rescue, Swift Water, etc.)
•Allocating travel and lodging funds to ensure access to top-tier instruction
TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
•Upgrades for department cell phones, iPads, tablet command software, and new computer systems
•Increased funds for legal costs and administrative infrastructure improvements
SAFETY GEAR, UNIFORMS, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH
•Increased funding for state-mandated biannual laundering and decontamination of turnout gear
•Expanding public outreach programs for fire prevention and safety education
MEASURE W BUDGET INCREASE AND PERSONNEL REQUEST
•From the Measure W fund (151), there will be six full-time firefighters added to staff Medic/Ambulance #4
•Separately through The General Fund (100), there will be these funding considerations:
oAddition of an Administrative/EMS Battalion Chief
oHiring of an Admin Assistant/Analyst to accommodate increased administrative needs
oFacility upgrades for gender-neutral accommodations and operational efficiency
KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
Category FY21-22 FY26-27 %
Change
9-1-1 Calls for Service 6,207 8,500 +37%
Unit Responses 13,134 19,200 +46%
Cost Per 9-1-1 Call $1,601.05 $1,670.52 +4.34%
Cost Per Unit Response $757.02 $739.39 -2.33%
WHAT THESE INVESTMENTS PROVIDE:
•Increased ambulance services
•Expanded community risk reduction programs
•Decreased response times
•Highly trained firefighter personnel
•Improved disaster preparedness
•Enhanced cost efficiency in operations
•CPSE Accredited and ISO Class 2 Fire Department (Only department in Coachella Valley and one of three in Riverside County)
FISCAL IMPACT:
This briefing is for information only.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
All represented categories.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Fire Department Strategic Plan
2. 2024 Annual Report
3. Presentation - Staffing and Budget Analysis Fire Department