COUNCIL AGENDA: 03/25/2025
ITEM: 4.1
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmember Candelas
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 03/24/25
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: Fire Department Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee Program
RECOMMENDATION
Accept staff recommendation and direct the Administration to consider the revenue use of the First Responder Fee as part of future budget development processes once the program matures and revenue stabilizes, to restore the functions of the San Jose Fire Department Med 30 unit that have since largely been delegated throughout the Fire Department.
BACKGROUND
Thank you to city staff for bringing this fee program forward. Funding for the Med 30 unit of the San Jose Fire Department (SJFD) is crucial to ensuring the continued safety and well-being of our firefighters and the community. While the responsibilities of Med 30 have been redistributed throughout the department, it is critical that we strive to bring back a resource that played an essential role in providing emergency medical services, responding to 911 calls, and saving lives. According to city staff, the Med 30 rig was the busiest single resource that we had. Day-to-day operations for Med 30 included logistical medical support for the field firefighter EMTs and firefighter paramedics.
When on the scene, Med 30 provided logistical support to the incident commander (e.g., Red Cross liaison, rehab coordinator, and medical coordinator) to ensure that patients were taken care of.
Funding Med 30 ensures that the department can maintain its high standard of care. This level of preparedness is vital when responding to a wide range of medical emergencies, from heart attacks and strokes to vehicle accidents and natural disasters. Med 30’s capability to deliver rapid and effective care in these critical situations often makes the difference between life and death.
Lastly, the Med 30 unit served as a cornerstone of the broader emergency response system.
Firefighters and paramedics worked in tandem, with Med 30's presence playing a major role in efficient coordination between fire and other resources. In this partnership, timely medical intervention is essential not just for patient care but for our firefighters as well.