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August 5, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Ambulance Transport System Purchase: Appropriate Transport Enterprise Funds for the Purchase of One Type I Ambulance and Three Type II Ambulances and the Required Outfitting Report Number: 25-0162
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Fire
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt the resolution amending the fiscal year 2025-26 adopted budget by appropriating available fund balance in the Transport Enterprise Fund for the addition of one (1) Type I ambulance and three (3) Type II ambulances and equipment for the Transport Enterprise Fund. (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista is in a significant period of growth and expansion. As a result, the Fire Department and its EMS division are experiencing increased demand for emergency services. The department currently operates ten (10) Type I ambulances in a 24/7 frontline capacity and maintains five (5) Type I ambulances in reserve.
To address the service demand and aging fleet, the Fire Department is recommending the addition of one (1) Type I Ambulance and three (3) Type II ambulances. These ambulances will be fully outfitted to include a gurney system, auto pulse, cardiac monitors and radios.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Proj ect” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment.
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Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
Reserve ambulances are vital for ensuring operational continuity when frontline units are out of service due to maintenance or mechanical issues. They are also used for upstaffing during peak demand periods and to cover special events. As frontline units age, the department is finding its reserve capacity decreasing, sometimes dropping to zero available units.
Industry standards recommend maintaining a reserve fleet equal to two-thirds (2/3) to three-quarters (3/4) of the frontline fleet. Based on the current configuration, a reserve fleet of at least seven (7) ambulances is recommended. Per the City's agreement for exclusive emergency ambulance services, frontline ambulances may operate for up to 200,000 miles or seven (7) years, and reserve ambulances up to 275,000 miles or ten (10) years.
To address aging units and meet increasing service demands, the Fire Department plans to pursue a cost - effective remounting strategy, placing existing medic boxes onto new chassis.
Simultaneously, there is an identified need to expand the ambulance fleet to maintain service reliability, support special events, and ensure reserve availability during vehicle remounting.
To address the service demand and aging fleet, the Fire Department is recommending the addition of one (1) Type I Ambulance and three (3) Type II ambulances. These ambulances will be fully outfitted to include a gurney system, auto pulse, cardiac monitors and radios.
Ambulances
Addition of One (1) Type I Ambulance
To meet the recommended reserve fleet standard and provide adequate coverage during vehicle remount cycles, the addition of one (1) Type I ambulance is necessary. This will bring the total reserve fleet to six (6), moving closer to the industry standard and enhancing operational resilience during upstaffing, special events, and maintenance periods.
The Fire Department’s current Type I ambulance fleet consists of Medix ambulances. The addition of one (1) Type I ambulance will also be a Medix, which will be purchased through RepublicEVS LLC as an authorized dealer of Medix Ambulances via Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) contract AM10-23.
The HGAC is a voluntary association available to local governments to promote regional cooperation for specialty vehicles and operations. HGAC conducted a competitive solicitation for ambulances and Medix/Southwest Ambulances was chosen to be the lowest, most responsible and responsive bidder. To procure these vehicles, the Purchasing Agent has determined that the award of this contract is consistent with Section 2.56.140 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code , Cooperative Purchasing Agreements. The HGAC P a g e | 3
award to Medix/Southwest Ambulances under contract AM10-23 was competitively bid and complies with the City of Chula Vista procurement policy . Republic EVS is an authorized dealer of Medix Ambulances as a part of the HGAC award. The City of Chula is a current member of HGAC, member number 17-6246.
Addition of three (3) Type II Ambulances
The proposed addition of three (3) Type II ambulances will provide the following system benefits:
BLS Peak Hour Coverage: Two (2) Type II am bulances will be deployed during peak hours (0730 – 1930) to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) services. This will add additional unit hours to the system and help meet increasing call volume.
Support for Special Events: Reserve ambulances are regularly used for special events, requiring up to three (3) units depending on event size. Type II ambulances will provide event coverage without straining the core reserve fleet.
Temporary Frontline Replacement: As frontline Type I units reach 200,000 miles (estimated in September and December 2025), they will rotate into reserve status for remounting. The third Type II ambulance will be used as a temporary replacement during these transitions.
To procure these vehicles, the Purchasing Agent has determined that the award of this contract is consistent with Section 2.56.140 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code Cooperative Purchasing Agreements. The Fire Department is utilizing Sourcewell contract 122123 -RVG-3 to purchase the Type II ambulances through Leader Emergency Vehicles.
Gurney System
The ATS program currently uses Stryker gurney systems for ambulances. To keep equipment compatible across all vehicles, the Fire Department will co ntinue to purchase Stryker gurney systems. To procure this equipment, the Purchasing Agent has determined that the award of this contract is consistent with Section
2.56.140 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code, Cooperative Purchasing Agreements. The Fire Department will be utilizing Sourcewell contract 041823-STY to purchase the gurneys through Stryker.
Motorola Radio Communications Equipment
Motorola radio equipment is required for all ambulances being purchased to provide transport services. The equipment includes mobile radios, portable radios, accessories, and installation of the equipment. The radio equipment is purchased via a sole source agreement per City of Chula Vista Resolution 2020-106.
Cardiac Monitor & Autopulse
City Council previously approve d Resolution 2020 -105 authorizing a sole source agreement with Zoll Medical Corporation. The current cardiac monitors and auto pulse devices were purchased through Zoll. The cardiac monitors for the Type I and Type II ambulances will be purchased through Zoll.
The table below summarizes the estimated costs to purchase and outfit one (1) Type I and three (3) Type II Ambulances.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff have reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and have determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff are not independently aware and have not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of th is resolution amends the fiscal year 2025-26 adopted budget by appropriating $1, 850,000 from fund balance to complete these purchases. The Transport Enterprise Fund has sufficient funds available to cover these purchases.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The ongoing maintenance of these ambulances will be addressed during the City’s annual budgeting process and will be funded by the Transport Enterprise Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Staff Contact: Emily Folker, Principal Management Analyst Raymond Smith, Deputy Chief
Harry Muns, Fire Chief
Unit Qty Total Cost
Type I Ambulance 1 $400,000.00
Type II Ambulance 3 $500,000.00
Radios 8 $150,000.00
Gurney 4 $400,000.00
Cardiac Monitor &
Autopulse 4 $400,000.00
Total $1,850,000.00