TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Mario Rueda, Fire Chief
DATE: September 10, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF
$45,000 TO LIFE-ASSIST, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF
PARAMEDIC SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
Safe Community
BACKGROUND
The San Marino Fire Department operates a paramedic program that delivers emergency pre-hospital care to residents of the City of San Marino. To ensure continued and uninterrupted delivery of these life-saving services, the program requires the Fire Department maintain a sufficient inventory of essential paramedic supplies and equipment.
The Fire Department is requesting approval of a purchase order in the amount of $45,000 to Life-Assist, Inc. for the purchase of paramedic supplies.
DISCUSSION
In 2022, the City of Pasadena issued a Notice Inviting Bids for the purchase of emergency medical and paramedic field supplies. Of the six bids received, Life-Assist, Inc. was selected as the lowest, most responsive bidder that met all specified requirements. On August 1, 2022, the City of Pasadena awarded Life-Assist, Inc. a multi-year contract, commencing with an initial three-year term and including two optional one-year extensions.
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Mayor
Tony Chou, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Calvin Lo, Council Member
Under this agreement, the City of Pasadena authorized Life-Assist, Inc. to extend its contract pricing to other agencies and organizations for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment. Agencies participating in this cooperative agreement are guaranteed pricing equal to the rates offered to the Pasadena Fire Department for the same items.
The City of Pasadena’s agreement with Life-Assist, Inc. is utilized by many of the agencies within the Verdugo Fire Communications network, including South Pasadena, San Gabriel, and Arcadia. The San Marino Fire Department has purchased medical supplies through Life-Assist, Inc., utilizing cooperative agreements from the City of Pasadena, for over 13 years and has been satisfied with the products, pricing, and delivery.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The Fire Department budgeted $77,700 for the cost of EMS supplies as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Operating & Capital Budget.
The bidding requirements for procurements have been waived in accordance with San Marino Municipal Code §02.06.05.B.6: Cooperative Purchasing:
Purchases of supplies, materials and equipment and sales of personal property made under a cooperative purchasing program utilizing purchasing agreements or bids received by the County, State, or other public agency are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve a purchase order to Life-Assist, Inc. in the amount of $45,000 for the purchase of paramedic supplies and equipment.
If the City Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve a purchase order to Life-Assist, Inc. in the amount of $45,000 for the purchase of paramedic supplies and equipment.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Pasadena Agreement with Life-Assist, Inc.