City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 14, 2026 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)STUDENT RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM (FIVE-YEAR TERM).
ISSUE:
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools to provide Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student ride-along internship opportunities with the Fire Department for a five-year term.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools for a EMT Student Ride-Along Program with the Fire Department for a five-year term; and Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the MOU Agreement with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside Fire Department is an all-hazard, all-risk agency, with approximately 72% of calls for service involving medical emergencies. This operational profile provides a valuable opportunity for EMT students to gain exposure in the prehospital care setting.
The Riverside County Office of Education administers a Career Technical Education/Regional Occupational Program EMT program for high school students. This State of California–recognized program prepares participants for entry-level employment and continued education in emergency medical services.
As part of the EMT program requirements, students must complete supervised clinical and field experience, including a prescribed number of hours and patient contacts. The City of Riverside Fire Department has previously partnered with RCOE to provide these training opportunities through a formal agreement.
This Memorandum of Understanding reestablishes the prior agreement and affirms the Fire Department’s continued support of local workforce development by providing structured, supervised ride-along experiences for participating students.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of this Memorandum of Understanding will provide Ramona High School students enrolled in the program an opportunity to participate in a supervised field internship with the Fire Department. As part of their curriculum, students are required to complete clinical hours and patient contacts to meet certification requirements.
Participants will engage in structured, educational field experiences. Ride-alongs will be scheduled for 12-hour daytime shifts (0730–1930), with no overnight assignments.
Students will operate under the supervision of Fire Department personnel while remaining under the administrative authority of RCOE. Participation will be observational and limited to activities appropriate to their training. There will be no impact on patient care or operational readiness.
The agreement includes provisions addressing insurance, supervision, safety compliance, and liability protections, including a waiver and general release.
This program supports workforce development by providing students with meaningful, hands-on experience in emergency medical services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this report.
Prepared by: Chuck Tasker, Special Operations Division Approved by: Steve McKinster, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Acting City Manager/Chief Financial Officer Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment:
RCOE Affiliation’s Agreement Number 2000
RCOE ● Page 2