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1 RiversideCA.gov/Fire1
•RiversideCa.gov
RiversideCA.gov/FireFIRE DEPARTMENTCity CouncilJanuary 13, 2025 Fire Chief Steve McKinster
RiversideCA.gov/Fire2
CURRENT STATION COVERAGE AND SYSTEM DEMAND
Current System Baseline (2025)•14 Stations•20 Staffed Units•225 Firefighters•325,000 Residents•47,000 Calls for ServiceStation location alone does not determine response performance. Unit availability and staffing levels drive response times and overload conditions. 1 2
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2 RiversideCA.gov/Fire3
Equals 1 Callevery 11minutes35% Increasein Fire Calls for Service since 2015Calls for Service2024: 44,6702025: 47,000+EXPANDED CALLS FOR SERVICENew State Fire Map Adds 13,356 Riverside Parcels into High-Risk Fire Area RiversideCA.gov/Fire4
SERVICE DEMAND IS GROWING FASTER THAN CAPACITY
37,53241,09944,29943,45144,67047,00050,00052,00054,00056,00059,00071,00083,00037,00042,00047,00052,00057,00062,00067,00072,00077,00082,0002020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2035 2040PROJECTED INCREASES225 FirefightersNo Increase in Staffing in Last Seven YearsSince Last New Station (2007) +72% INCREASE Since Last Staffing Increase (2018) +26% INCREASEService Demand3 4 12/30/2025
3 RiversideCA.gov/Fire5
•Leading Public Safety Consulting Firm•Expertise across Fire Service, Emergency Medica Services (EMS), Law, and life-safety programs.•Proven experience in Master Plans, Strat Plans, SOC/CRA, and EMS analysis.
AP TRITON LLC.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire6
KEY FINDINGS FROM MASTER PLAN STUDY
Response Times are Longer Than Accepted Performance TargetsService Demand Is Growing Faster Than CapacityHigh Call Concurrency Creates System OverloadCurrent Staffing Levels Are Insufficient to Meet Service DemandFire Station Infrastructure Must Expand and Modernize 5 6
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4 RiversideCA.gov/Fire7
RESPONSE TIMES ARE LONGER THAN ACCEPTED PERFORMANCE TARGETSWHY TIMING MATTERS? – STRUCTURE FIRES •Fire often confined to contents or a single room•High likelihood of containment with first-arriving engine0-3 MINUTES •Flashoverconditions approach•Fire transitions from contents to structure involvement4-5 MINUTES •Fire spreads beyond the room of origin•Rescue survivability drops sharply•Additional units are required, increasing system strain6-7 MINUTES 7+ MINUTES•Fire spreads throughout multiple rooms or floors•Structural integrity deteriorates•Additional units are required, further increasing system strainFires DOUBLE in size every minuteGoal Average Response TimeCurrent Average Response Time6:007:18 RiversideCA.gov/Fire8
RESPONSE TIMES ARE LONGER THAN ACCEPTED PERFORMANCE TARGETSGoal Average Response TimeCurrent Average Response Time6:007:18WHY 6 MINUTES MATTERS? – EMSIt aligns with the biological limits of survivability,not arbitrary policy goals.•Brain injury begins at 4–6 minutes without oxygen•Survival decreases 7–10% per minute without intervention•Early arrival improves defibrillation success and neurologic outcomesCARDIAC ARRESTSTROKE•Every untreated minute destroys approximately 1.9 million neurons•Earlier intervention significantly improves long-term function and survivabilitySEVERE TRAUMA•Mortality increases by approximately 4% for every minute of delay•Early stabilization reduces complications and length of hospital stay 7 8
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5 RiversideCA.gov/Fire9
HIGH CALL CONCURRENCY CREATES SYSTEM OVERLOAD2024 Load ConditionsOverload26%Critical Overload2%Overloadoccurs when simultaneous emergencies exceed normal response capacity, reducing response reliability across the city.•Begins at 4–6 concurrent incidents•Few units remain available for new emergencies•Response times increase and coverage gaps emerge•A single wildland fire or complex incident can trigger overload•Occurs at 7+ concurrent incidents•Most or all frontline units are committedCritical overload occurs when available emergency resources are effectively depleted, leaving little to no immediate response capability•New emergencies face significant delays or require outside assistance•A single structure fire can place the system into critical overloadCRITICAL OVERLOADOVERLOAD RiversideCA.gov/Fire10
Overload26%Critical Overload2%HIGH CALL CONCURRENCY CREATES SYSTEM OVERLOAD203571,000 Calls202547,000 Calls204083,000 CallsOverload40%Critical Overload4%Overload54%Critical Overload6%Without staffing increases, rising call volume will push the Fire Department into sustained overload, increasing response times and risk to residents and firefighters. 9 10
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6 RiversideCA.gov/Fire11
Ratio (per 1,000)PopulationFirefightersCity1.35197,000267Glendale1.16138,000160Pasadena0.89449,000400Long Beach0.894,100,0002,700L.A. City0.77350,000270Anaheim0.74170,000129Corona0.69325,000225RiversideFirefighter Staffing Levels Compared to Regional PeersMaintaining approximately 0.95 firefighters per 1,000 residents is critical to reducing overload conditions, meeting response-time standards, and preparing the Fire Department for continued growth.CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS ARE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET SERVICE DEMAND RiversideCA.gov/Fire12
STUDY RESULTS – RIGHT SIZING STAFFINGPhase 1: Correct Current Response Deficit (Immediate Need)Phase 2: Maintain Response Performance as the City Grows (Sustained Growth)Projected Response TimeStaffing IncreaseFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)PopulationYear6:00+843090.95325,0002025Projected Response TimeIncremental Staffing IncreaseFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)EstimatedPopulationYear6:00+193280.95345,50020306:00+203480.95366,00020356:00+193670.95386,5002040Current Staffing LevelsCurrent Response TimeFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)PopulationYear7:182250.69325,000202511 12 12/30/2025
7 RiversideCA.gov/Fire13
FIRE STATION INFRASTRUCTURE MUST EXPAND AND MODERNIZEStations Requiring Remodel or RelocationStation 4 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unitStation 8 – Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unitStation 10 - Rebuild / Relocate due to facility condition / locationStation 12 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unitNew Stations RequiredStation 15 – New Station in Ward 4Station 16 – New Station in Ward 1Equipment Required7 additional Engines, Trucks, or SquadsPhase 1 corrects existing infrastructure and equipment shortfalls, allowing the City to deploy added staffing, reduce overload conditions, and improve response times immediately.Phase 1 (2025): Correct Current Response Deficit and Support Added Units (Immediate Need) RiversideCA.gov/Fire14
NeedsStationYearPhase 2 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unit72028Renovate2Phase 2 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unit92031Renovate3Phase 2 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unit112034Renovate5Phase 2 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unit62037Renovate13Phase 2 - Rebuild / Relocate to accommodate additional unit142040Renovate1FIRE STATION INFRASTRUCTURE MUST EXPAND AND MODERNIZEPhase 2: Maintain our Response Capability (Sustained Growth)13 14 12/30/2025
8 RiversideCA.gov/Fire15
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE STANDARDSFacilities NeedsEquipment NeedsNew Firefighters AddedTotal FirefightersAnnual Calls (Projected)EstimatedPopulationYearPhase 1: Correct our Response Capability (Immediate Need)2 Stations 4 Rebuilds4 Engines3 Squads+8430947,000325,0002025Phase 2: Maintain our Response Capability (Sustained Growth)2 Rebuild2 Renovate2 Engine or Truck+1932859,000345,50020302 Rebuild2 Renovate2 Engine or Truck+2034871,000366,00020351 Rebuild1 Renovate1 Engine or Truck+1936783,000386,5002040 RiversideCA.gov/Fire16
$19.2M$29.9M$117.1M2040FUNDING STRATEGY TO SUSTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERFORMANCE$8.7M$17.4M$65M2025$65MGeneral Fund Budget$8.7MCapital Debt Service$17.4MNew Personnel$79.1MGeneral Fund Budget$10.8MCapital Debt Service$19.9MNew Personnel$96.2MGeneral Fund Budget$15.0MCapital Debt Service$24.9MNew Personnel$117.1MGeneral Fund Budget$19.2MCapital Debt Service$29.9MNew PersonnelPHASE 1PHASE 2$15M$24.9M$96.2M2035$10.8M$19.9M$79.1M2030Total Capital Investment - $293.4M 15 16
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9 RiversideCA.gov/Fire17
WHAT CAN BE COVERED BY MEASURE Z? UNFUNDED NEEDNEEDEDMEASURE Z AVAILABLEYEARPhase 1: Correct our Response Capability (Immediate Need)$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2025$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2026$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2027Phase 2: Maintain our Response Capability (Sustained Growth)$30.7$30.7Fully Committed2028$29.1$30.7$1.62029$27.2$30.7$3.52030$32.8$35.3$2.52031$31.3$35.3$4.02032$29.3$35.3$6.02033$31.9$39.9$8.02034$26.9$39.9$13.02035$25.9$39.9$14.02036$44.2$44.2Measure Z Sunsets2037$44.2$44.22038$44.2$44.22039$49.1$49.12040 RiversideCA.gov/Fire18
SUMMARYThis investment directly improves safety, saves lives, protects property, and ensures Riverside residents receive the level of emergency service they expect and deserve today, and in the years to come.BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITYLives Are Saved Less Damage To Homes And Businesses
Keeps Pace With City Growth
Stronger Community Confidence
Protection During Multiple Emergencies
More Reliable 911 Service Citywide
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