CITY OF GROVER BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 9
Placement: Consent
Meeting Date: September 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Scott Hallett, Five Cities Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Support for the City of Paso Robles Proposal for Emergency Medical Services
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution expressing support for the City of Paso Robles in submitting a proposal for the San Luis Obispo County emergency medical services contract.
BACKGROUND
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors holds the statutory authority to contract for ambulance services within the County under the State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Act.
The County is preparing to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) competitive process to award the ambulance services contract, which represents a critical opportunity to modernize and improve EMS delivery countywide. Currently, the City of Grover Beach, through the Five Cities Fire Authority, is responsible for providing fire, EMS first-response, hazardous materials mitigation, and rescue operations within the city’s jurisdictional boundary. However, ambulance transport services are contracted through the County.
To enhance the current EMS system, the City of Paso Robles is seeking to change the EMS system from the current “private-for-profit” based emergency transportation model to a subcontracting-based “public-private partnership” known as the “Alliance” model. The Alliance Model is a partnership approach to delivering emergency medical services. This model combines the strengths of public agencies to subcontract with a private ambulance provider under one coordinated system.
The city managers of the seven incorporated cities and the San Luis Obispo County Fire Chiefs Association have unanimously expressed their support for the City of Paso Robles, acting as the Lead Agency, to submit a proposal for the County ambulance services contract. This initiative is intended to foster a community-based EMS model with stronger accountability and transparency.
The Paso Robles-led model will:
• Provide an innovative EMS delivery model, where the City of Paso Robles serves as the lead agency, subcontracting to a private ambulance provider, with oversight provided by an executive committee made up of the seven cities’ city managers, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Enhance service delivery with greater local involvement and oversight.
Staff Report: Support for City of Paso Robles Proposal for Emergency Medical Services Page 2 September 14, 2026
• Provide additional funding for EMS-centric programs and allow reinvestment into City EMS services.
• Foster regional cooperation by uniting the cities, community service districts, and fire agencies in a shared vision for EMS improvement.
• Support proactive and preventative programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and services for unhoused community members.
• Reinvest excess revenues after operational costs back into local communities to improve public health outcomes.
By adopting the prepared Resolution, the City Council is supporting an opportunity for enhanced ambulance services and a more sustainable EMS system that is responsive to the evolving needs of our community. This Resolution allows Grover Beach to join other cities in the county in expressing policy support to Paso Robles in submitting a proposal in this competitive process, without committing the City to any further action at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
No financial impact is projected for this action. Should the proposal submitted by Paso Robles be selected, the participating cities would fund the start-up until reimbursements from Medicare, insurance, and self-pay revenues are received. The estimated cost to the participating cities depends on details ultimately contained in the County’s RFP.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Adopt a Resolution expressing support for the City of Paso Robles in submitting a proposal for the San Luis Obispo County emergency medical services contract; or
2. Adopt a modified version of the Resolution; or
3. Do not adopt the Resolution; or
4. Provide alternative direction to the City’s voting delegate and alternate.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
Multi-Year Goals
☒ Public Safety and Community Services ☐ Economic Development and Housing ☐ Community Infrastructure ☐ Financial and Organization Sustainability Council Priorities
☐ Water & Wastewater Infrastructure ☐ Community Engagement ☐ Street Improvements and Maintenance
RESOLUTION NO. 26-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE CITY OF PASO ROBLES IN SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO’S AMBULANCE
SERVICES CONTRACT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach controls, through statutory authority, policy, and the Five Cities Fire Authority, the provision of fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials mitigation, and rescue operations within its jurisdictional boundaries; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to State law, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors holds authority over the regulation and contracting of ambulance transport services within San Luis Obispo County; and
WHEREAS, the current opportunity to bid for the County of San Luis Obispo’s ambulance services contract allows for significant improvements to the ambulance transport system through a more dynamic, community-based model; and
WHEREAS, the City Council supports an enhanced ambulance transport system that is robust, transparent, accountable, and reinvests revenues back into local communities after expenses to support proactive programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and the needs of unhoused community members; and
WHEREAS, this proposed model will also provide additional funding for EMS-centric programs and allow direct reinvestment into local EMS operations, including the Five Cities Fire Authority, thereby improving overall public safety and service delivery within the city; and WHEREAS, the seven city managers representing the incorporated cities of San Luis Obispo County, as well as the San Luis Obispo County Fire Chiefs Association, have unanimously endorsed and expressed support for the City of Paso Robles submitting a bid for the County ambulance services contract; and
WHEREAS, a Paso Robles-led model would foster strong local partnerships, accountability, and transparency, as well as encourage collaborative governance across jurisdictions that directly benefit all communities within San Luis Obispo County, including the City of Grover Beach; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that this approach offers an opportunity to build an EMS system that is more responsive to community needs and better aligned with modern public safety practices, while ensuring that revenues are invested back into the people and services of San Luis Obispo County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Grover Beach as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Grover Beach hereby expresses its strong support for the City of Paso Robles to submit a bid for the County of San Luis Obispo’s ambulance services contract.
Attachment 1
Resolution No. 26- Page 2
SECTION 2. The City Council further supports the pursuit of a comprehensive, transparent, and accountable EMS system that prioritizes community needs, reinvests revenues locally, and provides sustainable funding for EMS-related and preventative public health programs.
SECTION 3. The City Council encourages the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and all relevant decision-makers to give favorable consideration to this model, which will yield direct and meaningful benefits to residents of Grover Beach and all communities throughout the county.
Upon motion of Council Member _______, seconded by Council Member ______ , and on the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members –
NOES: Council Members –
ABSENT: Council Members –
ABSTAIN: Council Members –
the foregoing Resolution 26-XX was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California this 14th day of September 2026.
KASSI DEE, MAYOR
Attest:
WENDI B. SIMS, CITY CLERK