City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 25, 2025 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC EQUIPMENT REFRESH ACCOUNT– FUNDS TRANSFER AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000 ISSUE:
Authorize a supplemental appropriation of the Paramedic Equipment Refresh Account in the amount of $24,000 from the Special Deposit Account and appropriate expenditures to the Fire Department Special Departmental Supplies Account, for the purchase of storage cabinets and shelves for 14 fire stations to secure medical supplies.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a transfer from the Special Deposits Fund, Equipment Refresh Fire account to the General Fund in the amount of $24,000 and appropriate expenditures of the same amount in the General Fund, Fire Operations-Paramedic Program, Special Department Supplies account.
BACKGROUND:
The County of Riverside, through its Department of Health, is the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency for an area that includes the City of Riverside. The County, working with the City, entered into a Master Agreement with AMR that designated AMR as the exclusive provider of emergency ambulance transport services. The terms of the Agreement allowed AMR to arrange for Advanced Life Support first responder services (ALS) with approval from the County. As a result, AMR entered into a contract with the City for provision of ALS first responder services—which the City is authorized to administer pursuant to the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act.
On June 26, 2018, City Council approved and authorized the City Manager to execute an Advance life Support agreement with the option to extend for an additional “earned extension” from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.The current contract includes terms and conditions for emergency ambulance services. AMR is the only ambulance provider authorized for both 9-1-1 and non-emergency ambulance transport services within the City of Riverside.
DISCUSSION:
Providing emergency medical services is an essential component of the fire department. The department often is the first line medical responder for critical illnesses and injuries in the city.
Today every fire engine, truck company and rescue squad in the city is staffed with a firefighter paramedic who is responsible for monitoring equipment and supplies for the treatment of ill and injured patients with disposable and non-disposable items, such as biohazard protection equipment, suction equipment, drugs for the treatment of respiratory and heart-related symptoms. The Riverside Fire Department would like to purchase new storage cabinets and shelves to secure medical supplies using funds from the American Medical Response 720 Special Deposits Account.
Effective June 28, 2018, per contractual agreement American Medical Response (AMR) concurred to pay the City of Riverside Fire Department annually $30,000 to fund the Fire Department’s paramedic program, including EMS training, supplies and equipment procurement, and other ALS activities. Per terms of the agreement, AMR’s payment to the City is to restock first responders in the field on a one-for-one basis for disposable supplies and non-regulated medications used for treatment by first responders for patients that AMR transports. AMR shall pay $30,000 annually to reimburse the Fire Department for equipment utilized in support of restocking supplies.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.3 – Strengthen neighborhood identifies and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Emergency Medical Services has increased the capabilities and capacities of our first responders for over a decade increasing community trust in our emergency medical response efforts.
Equity – The Riverside Fire Department strives to serve the community with duty and honor by protecting and preserving life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, medical, rescue, and fire suppression services.
Fiscal Responsibility – To provide a timely response, with the highest quality emergency services to the community. The departments’ goal is to optimize these services through fiscal responsibility.
Innovation – Emergency Medical Services is the most efficient and effective standard for the rapid delivery of medical services. The goals are to create and maintain services that are receptive to change and seek to improve critical care we delivery to the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Virtually every firefighter in the department receives medical training as a part of their normal training agenda. Emergency Medical Services provide the community with a sense of well-being by providing basic CPR and to use of critical care and life support devices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is an expenditure of $24,000, fully offset by special deposit funds. Upon Council approval, a transfer will be recorded from the Special Deposits Fund, Equipment Refresh Fire account number 0000720-225891 and appropriated in the General Fund, Fire Operations-Paramedic Program, Special Department Supplies account number 3510100-426800. Use of the funds are indicated in the table below.
Account Description
Budget
Special Department Supplies
Storage Cabinets
$14,700
Stackable Bins and Shelves
$9,300
Prepared by: Angie King, Administrative Services Manager Approved by: Michael D. Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
ALS First Responder Agreement (AMR & City of Riverside) AMR Extension
Equipment Refresh – Page 2
Equipment Refresh – Page 3