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Agenda Report
May 18, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Finance Committee
FROM:Fire Department
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR 2026
ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action herein is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
2. Amend the Fire Department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Operating Budget as detailed in the following report by increasing revenues and appropriations by $257,128.
BACKGROUND:
Throughout the fiscal year, budgetary adjustments are necessary to account for unanticipated changes to the adopted budget. These revenue and appropriation amendments are presented to the City Council for consideration. This agenda report includes proposed amendments to the Fire Department's FY 2026 Operating Budget as adopted by the City Council on June 16, 2025.
1. 2026 California Fire Foundation Funds for Post Eaton Fire - Recovery and Community Project
The Fire Department recommends recognizing and appropriating $100,000 in the General Fund (101) from the California Fire Foundation to support a "Post Eaton Fire - Recovery and Community" project. The funding will be used to reduce wildfire risk in Pasadena's High Fire Severity Zones through vegetation management, including clearing hazardous fuel and trimming trees near electrical infrastructure, while also addressing ongoing recovery needs following the Eaton Canyon Fire.
MEETING OF __5/18/2026_AGENDA ITEM NO.1
Authorization to Amend the Fire Department FY 2026 Operating Budget May 18,2026
The project also focuses on expanding Firewise community initiatives to educate and empower residents, improve long-term fire prevention, and enhance neighborhood resilience. Serving an estimated 46,590 residents, the program aims to reduce fire hazards, increase community preparedness, and support property owners in meeting future defensible space requirements while potentially lowering insurance costs.
2. 2023 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant Funds The Fire Department recommends recognizing and appropriating $18,800 in the Fire Grants Fund (230) for a 2023 UASI Grant Award from the County of Los Angeles as a subrecipient. The City of Pasadena is eligible to receive annual grant funding through SHSP as part of a nation-wide program to improve and enhance emergency response capability for terrorist-related activity.
Under 2023 SHSP, the Fire Department received $18,800 for Mobilization Exercises (MOBEX) for Regional Task Force-4 (RTF-4). These exercises will enhance first responders' coordination and practice readiness responding to threats, hazards, and emergencies. All purchases related to this grant will be made in accordance with the City's applicable procurement policies and procedures.
3. Revenue from Instructional Service Agreement (ISA) with Rio Hondo Community College District
The Fire Department recommends recognizing and appropriating $111,328 in the General Fund (101) for an Instructional Service Agreement (ISA) with Rio Hondo Community College District (RHCCD). The Department conducts year-round in-service training to meet regulatory requirements and maintain critical certifications, including standards set by California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cat-OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Through an ISA with RHCCD, this required training is now eligible for college credit, allowing fire personnel to advance their education while completing job-related instruction delivered by qualified in-house instructors.
The ISA also provides a new revenue source for the City, with the State funding RHCCD on a per-student basis and sharing 25% of apportionment revenue with Pasadena Fire Department. Since launching in 2024, the program has generated over $105,000 in its first term in FY 2025. The program has generated an additional $111,328 in FY 2026 and is considered successful, with funds recommended to support ongoing training programs and department needs including contract services with Auro Physiotherapy and Wellness to provide on-site physical therapy services, and for multi-cancer screenings and testing for fire personnel.
4. Revenue from Direct Relief for a Swift Water Trailer The Pasadena Fire Department recommends recognizing and appropriating $27,000 in the General Fund (101) from grant funding from Direct Relief to support the acquisition of a swift water trailer. This equipment will enhance the Department's operational capacity Authorization to Amend the Fire Department FY 2026 Operating Budget May 18,2026
to respond to water-related emergencies, including swift water rescues and post-wildfire mud and debris flow incidents. The award reflects ongoing collaboration with Direct Relief and supports the City's efforts to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The City Council's strategic planning goal of maintaining fiscal responsibility and stability and ensuring public safety will be advanced by implementing necessary budget amendments.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
CEQA excludes, from environmental review, actions that are not "projects" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b). Sections 21065 and 15378(b) define a project as an action which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Section 15378 excludes from the definition of "project" government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. The actions proposed herein, amending the Fire Department's FY 2026 Operating Budget, are governmental fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment, and therefore is not a "project" as defined by CEQA. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
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Authorization to Amend the Fire Department FY 2026 Operating Budget May 18, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
The funds will be appropriated as detailed in the table below. These additional costs will be offset through total increased revenue of $257,128 across the General Fund (101) and Fire Grants Fund (230). The budget amendments included in this agenda report are not anticipated to impact existing FY 2026 budgeted indirect and support costs.
ExpenseItemAccount StringAmount
GENERAL FUND (101)Equipment10131010-850400$27,000
GENERAL FUND (101)Other Contract Services10131005-811400-96008$100,000 GENERAL FUND (101)Other Contract Services10131018-811400-96009$111,328 FIRE GRANTS FUND (230)Equip Under $10,00023031000-810900-91260$18,800 TOTAL$257,128
Respectfully submitted,
Prepared by:
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CHADAUGUSTIN
Fire Chief
Fire Department
Concurred by:
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Stephanie Chaiz^
Management Analyst V
Fire Department
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KARIN SCHNAIDER
Director
Department of Finance
Approved by:
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MATTHEW E'1-IAWKESWORTH
Interim City Manager