January 27, 2026
Fire Department
Finance Department
City Manager’s Office
DATE: January 27, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Aaron Osorio, Fire Chief
Emily Combs, Director of Finance
Subject:
Update on Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder
Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements,
Associated Five-Year Financial Forecast, and Develop
Revenue Enhancement Recommendations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item. However, implementing ALS first responder services, along with ongoing expenses and potential revenue
opportunities, will create a future ongoing financial impact for the City.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 27, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In May 2025, the Richmond Fire Department (“Department”) presented the draft Advanced Life Support (ALS) First
Responder Feasibility Study prepared by Matrix Consulting Group outlining key components of the study such as:
Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) scope of practice, the current EMS system in the City of Richmond and the region, various service delivery models, staffing and labor impacts, training and oversight
requirements, financial considerations, funding strategies, and proposed implementation. The Department now returns to the City Council to provide an update on the status of the ALS First Responder Services implementation, as directed by Council when it voted to pass a motion for the Department to pursue the ALS First Responder Services transition, along with key information on the overall fire station needs as well as estimated fiscal impacts.
AGENDA
REPORT
January 27, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: RECEIVE an update on the Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and
Replacements, and associated Five-Year Financial Forecast; and DIRECT the city manager to develop revenue
enhancement and financing recommendations for City Council consideration – Fire Department/Finance Department/City Manager’s Office (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Emily Combs 510-890-5534/Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
On May 27, 2025, the Richmond Fire Department (“Department”) presented the draft Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Feasibility Study prepared by Matrix Consulting Group. During the presentation, the Department discussed several key components of the study, including the scope of practice for ALS and Basic Life Support (BLS), the current regional fire-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, EMS services within Richmond, and EMS call volumes in the City. The presentation also addressed the importance of ALS services and their impact on improving patient outcomes by providing faster critical care. Additionally, the Department outlined the proposed implementation, various service delivery models, staffing and training requirements, personnel actions, labor considerations, oversight, financial impacts, and funding strategies. Lastly, during the meeting, the City Council voted on a motion and directed the Department to implement the ALS First Responder Services and to return to the City Council with updates.
The presentation will provide the City Council and the Richmond community with an update on the implementation of ALS First Responder Services, including discussions with the Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services Agency (CCCEMSA) and the Contra Costa County Fire Chiefs, as well as coordination with the Richmond City Manager and Finance Department pertaining to updates to the 5-year financial forecast and associated cost implications, Human Resources Department regarding personnel specifications and recruitments, and Public Works for facilities and needs assessment.
Given the associated ongoing fiscal impacts, City staff members recommend developing revenue enhancements and financing recommendations for the City Council’s consideration, as early as quarter 2, 2026.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The ALS First Responder Services initiative aligns with historic and current City Council policies by implementing Health in All Policies measures by improving conditions that reduce health disparities and support health equity. It also advances the City Council’s strategic goal of enhancing public safety through improved emergency response and preparedness, and strengthens the City’s internal infrastructure by upgrading fire stations that may serve as climate resilience hubs/centers. In addition, ensuring appropriate staffing levels and expertise to meet the service needs of the Richmond community.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: Attachment – PowerPoint