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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Fire Department, re: Verdugo Fire Communications Center – Moetivations Inc., 911 Emergency Call-Taker Supplemental Staffing Coverage, Dispense with Competitive Bidding
1.Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to dispense with competitive bidding and execute a contract between the City of Glendale and Moetivations, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $585,231 with a contingency of $58,523 for a total amount of $643,754 to provide 911 emergency call-taking personnel.
2.Resolution of Appropriation
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for August 26, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Verdugo Fire Communications Center (VFCC) is currently operating with a 40% vacancy rate. Ongoing hiring efforts and required training for 911 emergency call-takers will not produce additional 911 call-taking personnel for approximately six months. To ensure adequate coverage for emergency communications and the management of complex incidents, VFCC aims to utilize Moetivations, Inc. to provide one call-taker per 12-hour shift for six months. This support will help mitigate work overload, assist in the ability to manage emergency incident communications and reduce stress on existing staff.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the motion authorizing the City Manager to dispense with competitive bidding and execute a contract with Moetivations, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $585,231 with a contingency of $58,523 for a total amount of $643,754 to provide one 911 emergency call-taker per 12-hour shift for a period of six months.
ANALYSIS
VFCC is currently facing a critical staffing shortage, with only nine of the approved fifteen Fire Communications Operator (FCO) positions filled. The recent unexpected resignation of a probationary FCO and the departure of a cost-shared Fire Department employee have further strained staffing levels. This shortage has led to an increase in sick callouts 12 25-88564
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and requests to fill vacancies, extended work hours, and operations at or below minimum staffing levels. The resulting stress and fatigue are impacting personnel, and maintaining proper staffing is especially critical with the upcoming fire season and the need to support complex emergency incidents.
VFCC has exhausted the eligibility list from the previous FCO recruitment. A new recruitment for Fire Communications Operator Trainee (FCO-T) is currently in progress; however, hiring is not expected until December 2025. Remaining steps include oral interviews, final interviews, background checks, and medical and psychological evaluations. Successful candidates are expected to begin call-taker training in mid- December 2025, with qualification as an independent call-taker possible by March 2026.
This creates a staffing gap for qualified call-takers of approximately six months.
To help bridge this gap, VFCC has engaged in conversations with Moetivations, Inc., a dispatcher-on-demand service, which will provide one call-taker for each of the two daily 12-hour shifts, for a period of six months. Moetivations is the best qualified to provide 911 call-takers by employing veteran 911 dispatchers, which are already familiar with VFCC’s phone systems and computer-aided dispatch program. In turn, it will require minimal training before assuming call-taking duties on the dispatch floor. They will handle both administrative and emergency calls and are qualified to provide Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) instructions, such as CPR and other life saving techniques.
All Moetivaitons employee related costs, including salaries, health benefits, workers’ compensation insurance, liability insurance, travel, transportation, and lodging is covered within the contract fee. The employees have completed background screening with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Department of Justice. They will be under the supervision of VFCC management so no additional responsibilities will be assigned to Verdugo Shift Supervisors. The Moetivations employees will not supervise Verdugo employees and will be utilized as call-takers only and not radio operators.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
VFCC has discussed this option with and gained the support of the Tri-City Fire Chiefs, Glendale Human Resources Department, and the Glendale City Employees Association.
Provided references were contacted with positive recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract with Moetivations, Inc. is not to exceed $585,231 with a contingency of $58,523 for a total amount of $643,754. The department will be able to absorb $364,573 within their vacancy savings, and this total sum will be transferred to the contractual services account string administratively. The remaining amount of $297,182 was not included as part of the FY 2025-26 budget, therefore staff is requesting an appropriation as outlined below:
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account String) To (Account String) Funding Source $297,182 27900-5800-GFD-0000 43110-5800-GFD-4005- Fire
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P0000- Communications
Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
N/A
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are attached in Exhibit #1, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. To not approve the contract with Moetivations Inc. and continue with the current hiring processes, which will not provide adequate and qualified staffing for 6 (six) months.
2. Consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jeffrey Brooks, Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Brian Murphy, Deputy Fire Chief
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Moetivations Inc. Disclosure – Campaign Finance