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August 25, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Grant Acceptance and Appropriation: Accept a Grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections Prop. 64 Health and Safety Grant Program, Amend the Authorized Position Count, and Appropriate Funds
Report Number: 26-0263
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 State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt the following resolutions:
A. Accepting a grant award of $4,424,765 from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program ; amending the fiscal year 2026 -27 budget; and amending the authorized position count by adding one (1) Limited -Term Paramedic (Non-Safety) - C position funded through the grant and the Fire Department’s Transport Enterprise Fund. (4/5 Vote Required)
B. Authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements with SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to provide support services and program evaluation as outlined in the grant award and application, in accordance with the grant guidelines.
SUMMARY
The Fire Department has been awarded $4,424,765 through the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program to implement the Chula Vista Fire Department EMS Career Pipeline Program . The grant will fund a comprehensive workforce development initiative that provides emergency medical services career pathways for transition -age youth through P a g e | 2
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) education, supportive services, leadership development, and employment opportunities.
Over the five -year grant period, the Fire Department will conduct two sixteen -week EMT Academies annually, preparing approximately 200 job-ready Emergency Medical Technicians while addressing regional workforce shortages in emergency medical services.
Grant funding will also establish one (1) Limited-Term Paramedic (Non-Safety) - C position responsible for administration of the program, instructional oversight, curriculum development, regulatory compliance, grant reporting, and coordination with community partners.
The grant requires no local matching funds and will fully fund eligible program expenses throughout the grant period.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Qual ity 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 result 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
The California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) administers the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program to support innovative local programs that improve public safety and reduce negative impacts associated with the illicit can nabis market through prevention, intervention, workforce development, and community partnerships.
To address these objectives, the Fire Department partnered with SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services), a community based nonprofit organization, and t he San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to develop the Fire Department’s EMS Career Pipeline Program. The program provides transition- age youth with a structured pathway into emergency medical services careers while helping meet the growing regional demand for Emergency Medical Technicians. SBCS will utilize its expertise to provide the essential wraparound services for the project, including but not limited to recruitment, intensive case management, and behavioral health support, and SANDAG will p rovide independent evaluation of the program and development of the Local Evaluation Report as required by the grant guidelines.
The program combines leadership development, trauma -informed case management, financial assistance, EMT certification instructi on, National Registry examination preparation, ride -along experiences, career mentoring, and employment placement assistance into a comprehensive workforce development model.
Participants completing the program will be prepared for employment within emerge ncy medical services agencies throughout the region, including potential employment opportunities with the Fire Department.
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The Fire Department currently operates a successful EMT Academy that has demonstrated high completion rates and successful placemen t of graduates into emergency medical careers. Acceptance of this grant will expand that program by increasing instructional capacity, enhancing student support services, and significantly increasing the number of EMTs entering the regional workforce.
Grant funding will support two sixteen -week EMT academies each year over the five -year performance period. Instruction will be provided by experienced Fire Department Paramedics and EMTs utilizing classroom instruction, hands -on skills laboratories, scenar io-based training, ambulance ride -alongs, and mentoring to prepare students for National Registry certification and employment.
To successfully administer the expanded program, the Fire Department proposes creation of one (1) Limited-Term Paramedic (Non-Safety) - C position. This position will serve as Program Administrator and Lead Instructor responsible for:
Curriculum development and instructional delivery;
Instructor coordination and quality assurance;
Student recruitment and enrollment;
Regulatory compliance with EMT accreditation requirements; Coordination with SBCS and regional partners;
Grant administration and financial oversight;
Performance measurement and quarterly reporting to BSCC; Program evaluation;
Oversight of National Registry testing and certification activities.
Creation of this position will ensure continuity of program operations while allowing fire suppression personnel to continue supporting academy instruction without adversely affecting emergency response staffing.
Acceptance of the grant aligns with the City's Strategic Plan by investing in workforce development, expanding educational opportunities, strengthening public safety partnerships, and improving access to high-quality emergency medical careers for underserved populations throughout South San Diego County.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has 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 is not independently aware and have not been informed by any Chula Vista 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 authorizes acceptance of a five-year grant totaling $4,424,765 from the BSCC.
Additionally, this resolution amends the fiscal year 2026-27 budget by increasing appropriations in the Fire Grants Section of the State Grants Fund as follows: in the Personnel category by $209,600; in the Supplies and Services category by $849,981; and in the Capital category by $80,000.
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Grant funding will fully reimburse eligible program expenditures, including personnel costs, salaries and benefits, participant stipends, instructional materials, equipment, supportive services, program evaluation, administrative costs, and other eligible expenses identified in the grant agreement . The grant also provides funding for one (1) grant-funded Limited-Term Paramedic (Non-Safety) - C position that will administer and instruct the EMS Career Pipeline Program.
This action has no fiscal impact on the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The grant fully funds all program costs through December 31, 2031, including personnel, instruction, participant support services, program administration, evaluation, and grant compliance activities.
The grant -funded Limited-Term Paramedic (Non-Safety) - C position will exist only for the duration of available grant funding unless the City Council authorizes continuation through a future budget action.
The remaining grant expenditures (Year 2 – Year 5) totaling $3,285,184 will be included as part of the annual budget process as noted in the following chart:
Category FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29 FY2029-30 FY 2030-31 Total Personnel $ 209,600 $ 209,600 $ 209,600 $ 209,600 $ 209,600 $ 838,400 Supplies & Services $ 849,981 $ 611,696 $ 611,696 $ 611,696 $ 611,696 $ 2,446,784 Capital $ 80,000 $ 80,000
Total $ 1,139,581 $ 821,296 $ 821,296 $ 821,296 $ 821,296 $ 4,424,765 Should the City desire to continue the EMS Career Pipeline Program beyond the grant period, future funding requests will be considered as part of the annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026 Prop 64 Grant Agreement
2. Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program, Cohort 4 Funding Recommendations
Staff Contact: Marlon King, Emergency Services Manager Chris Manroe, Fire Chief