August 25, 2026
Agenda Item No. 11
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Jeff Boyles, Fire Chief - 949-644-3101, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Adam Novak, Administrative Division Services Chief - 949-644-3104, [email protected] Raymund Reyes, Administrative Manager - 949-644-3352, [email protected] TITLE:
Communication Devices, Health and Recovery Equipment Donation Agreement with the Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation ABSTRACT:
The Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation (NBFD Foundation) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Newport Beach Fire Department’s (NBFD) first responders. The NBFD Foundation has donated 50 Starlink© broadband satellite internet service devices, 11 infrared sauna chambers, three red light therapy sauna accessories, and one cold-plunge. The communications equipment will provide additional communications capabilities to the NBFD, and the health and recovery equipment will provide firefighters with an additional means of physical recovery and promote overall firefighter health. The total cost of the purchased equipment is $65,534.01; per City Council Policy F-3, City Council approval is required to accept the donation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) Accept a donation of communication devices and health and recovery equipment, valued at $65,534.01, from the Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation; and c) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Communication Devices, Health and Recovery Equipment Donation Agreement with the Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation.
DISCUSSION:
The NBFD Foundation was created in 2024 by various members of the community to provide additional support to NBFD personnel, through technology, physical and mental health, and professional development. Since then, the NBFD Foundation has supported individual MRIs for firefighters, established a scholarship program, and donated Fire and Lifeguard specific equipment to the City of Newport Beach (City).
The NBFD Foundation previously received a donation of 50 Starlink© devices directly from Starlink Services, LLC, during the Palisades and Eaton fires, intended for distribution to the NBFD. Starlink© devices enable wireless internet and call capabilities using a low-earth orbit satellite network. Fire Department staff and the NBFD Foundation went through a series of discussions through 2025 and part of 2026 regarding a formal donation, equipment use, and subscription services. The NBFD Foundation activated several Starlinks© during some preliminary testing and use during some mutual aid deployments, including recent deployments in July 2026.
Fire management staff members are working with the Municipal Operations Department and Information Technology (IT) staff on plans to equip and install Starlinks© on all NBFD apparatus and Fire and Lifeguard facilities, with the goal of providing an added layer of communications capabilities to the department, should other means of communications fail or become unavailable. This includes communications in areas with low to no cell coverage, or during high use times (like July 4) when local cell sites become overloaded due to network congestion. It is hoped that remaining devices could be shared with other City departments to enhance inter-departmental communications capabilities.
The NBFD Foundation also recently completed a phased purchase of infrared sauna chambers and a cold plunge tub to promote firefighter health and physical recovery. Various studies suggest that in the correct setting (with controlled temperatures and durations), these chambers can reduce stress and promote the body’s recovery and may assist in reducing the accumulation of toxins that firefighters may be exposed to while on duty.
Per City Council Policy F-3, City Council approval is required to accept donations greater than $30,000. The total cost of the purchased equipment (including related subscription charges to date for activated Starlinks©) is $65,534.01. A donation agreement has been prepared and staff recommends City Council acceptance of the donation and approval of the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The equipment donation comes at no upfront cost to the City. Future maintenance of the health and recovery equipment will be charged to existing fire station maintenance accounts on an as-needed basis. Activation and service charges for Starlink© devices will be charged to the NBFD’S existing telecommunications data account, 01040401-831001, and adjusted based on use as part of the annual budget process. Typical subscription/data costs begin at approximately $55 per month, per active unit. Data use and related costs will occur on an as-needed basis, and use would be managed by command staff based on operational necessity. Activated units may be paused at any time when not in use.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Donation Agreement
Communication Devices, Health and Recovery Equipment Donation Agreement with the Newport Beach Fire Department Foundation August 25, 2026
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