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June 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve an Agreement to Provide Exclusive Ambulance Services to Imperial Beach and Bonita/Sunnyside Fire District
Report Number: 26-0142
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 (“CEQA”) State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving an agreement to provide Exclusive Ambulance Services to Imperial Beach and Bonita/Sunnyside Fire District.
SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista (the “City”) has the authority to provide emergency medical transport services itself under applicable state and local law including California Health & Safety Code Sections 1797.201 and 1797.224, the City Charter Sections 200, and Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 5.10.310.
On May 12, 2020, the Chula Vista City Council approved Chula Vista Council Resolution No. 2020 -102 approving an agreement for the Fire Department to provide exclusive ambulance transport services within the City, the City of Imperial Beach (“Imperial Beach”) and the Bonita -Sunnyside Fire Protection District (“Bonita-Sunnyside”). This agreement was for a term of 5 years, ending June 30, 2026.
In co llaboration with our neighboring agencies of Bonita -Sunnyside Fire Protection District and Imperial Beach, the Fire Department is requesting to enter into a new agreement to provide exclusive ambulance transport services to all three agencies.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not r esult in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable
DISCUSSION
On May 12, 2020, the City Co uncil approved Chula Vista Council Resolution No. 2020 -102 approving an agreement for the Fire Department to provide exclusive ambulance transport services within the City, Imperial Beach and Bonita-Sunnyside. This agreement was for a term of 5 years, endi ng June 30, 2026. The Fire Department initiated services on April 9, 2021. Since this start date, the following areas of improvement were addressed:
Increase ambulance hours to meet demand
Reduce response times
Provide internal ability to manage ambulance resources Reduce base rate costs
Unified control, radio communications and information technology Unified medical directions and continuity of patient care Over the life of the contract, each of these areas was addressed and improved upon.
The City is requesting to enter into a new agreement to continue to provide exclusive ambulance services within the City, Imperial Beach and Bonita-Sunnyside. The agreement will begin on July 1, 2026, for a term of five (5) years ending June 30, 2031.
The following are key items in the proposed agreement between the City of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Bonita-Sunnyside Fire District.
1) Services Provided: The “Service Area” is comprised of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Bonita-Sunnyside Fire District. Fire Department shall provide rapid response, Advanced Life Support (“ALS”) pre-hospital medical care and ambulance transport services twenty -four (24) hours each day, seven (7) days each week, without interruption and without regard to a patient's financial st atus. Related services include standby ambulance support for other emergency calls, outlier incidents and general monthly response time reporting, compliant response system, and re -supply of first responder disposable medical equipment and supplies.
2) Response Time Requirements: Fire Department agrees to respond:
a) In less than twelve (12) minutes to at least ninety percent (90%) of all ALS emergency calls dispatched each month; and
b) In less than twenty (20) minutes to at least ninety (90%) of all non-emergency calls dispatched each month.
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3) System Operating Standards and Requirements
a) Vehicles and equipment: Fire Department will provide, maintain and operate all ambulances, other vehicles, equipment and supplies necessary to provide emergency ambulance services required under the terms of this agreement. Fire Department shall also maintain and operate all required vehicles and equipment in accordance with any federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, etc.
b) Staffing and Personnel Requirements: Fire Department shall comply at all times with applicable State and County requirements for minimum staffing levels, medical standards and personnel qualifications. In general, ambulance transport units assigned to the service area shall be staffed with one (1) Paramedic and one (1) EMT and equipped to provide ALS care, or two (2) EMTs to provide BLS care twenty four (24) hours per day, 365 days a year or two (2) EMTs to provide BLS care twelve (12) hours per day, 365 days a year. Additional requirem ents for staffing and personnel shall apply to support general system oversight, maintenance of applicable medical standards, staff training and continuing education.
c) Compliance with Laws: Any and all Emergency Ambulance Services provided shall be provide d in accordance with the applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations including any and all applicable medical standards.
Costs, Rates and Reimbursements: The Fire Department is responsible for all costs for the provision of Emergency Ambulance Services. As stated in the City’s Master Fee Schedule, the base transport fee is currently $2,800, with ancillary fees stated as $41.73 per mile, an oxygen charge of $104.70, and a nigh t charge of $76.60. Fire Department has the right to increase the base rate and ancillary fees and collect additional charges for services rendered consistent with industry standards. Fire Department is responsible for collecting, or contracting with a thi rd-party, fees imposed on customer patients throughout the service area. Out of the collected Service Area revenues, in consideration of first responder services they are providing, Bonita-Sunnyside and Imperial Beach are each entitled to reimbursement for the cost of such first responder, titled “Qualified Base Cost Reimbursement”. The amount paid to Imperial Beach is $109,256 annually and $26,775 to Bonita/Sunnyside.
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
There is no current year fiscal impact as this contract is effective July 1, 2026.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no new ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund resulting from approval of this resolution. Future allocations for costs relating to providing ambulance services will be considered as part of the annual budget P a g e | 4
process for the Ambulance Transport Enterprise Fund. All costs incurred providing the services under the agreement are projected to be offset by transport fees and other reimbursements.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ambulance Transport Agreement
Staff Contact: Emily Folker, Principal Management Analyst Raymond Smith, Deputy Chief of EMS
Chris Manroe, Fire Chief