ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Fire Item No: C7
Prepared by: Maia Hodge, Management Analyst Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Approved by:
Gerard Washington, Fire Chief
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP – FIRE AND EMS PROGRAM GRANT AWARD RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , approving the San Diego Workforce Partnership – Fire and EMS Program Grant Award and amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26 and Fiscal Year 2026/27.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety and Fiscal Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On June 10, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-102, approving the Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 operating budget (Vote: 5-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The Fire and EMS Pilot Program, funded by the California Workforce Development Board through the Priority Sector Programming in Healthcare and Public Administration grant, is designed to strengthen the public safety workforce pipeline through strategic investments in training providers, wraparound services, and employer partnerships. The program aims to enroll 250 participants, train 200 individuals, and place at least 150 participants into employment across Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire career pathways.
The San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), a partner in the Fire and EMS Pilot Program, seeks to award funding to multiple San Diego County-based entities to support students and programs within the EMS and fire career pathways. Subrecipients are responsible for implementing eligible activities aligned with the program’s objectives and for reporting performance outcomes throughout the grant period.
Under this grant, Vista Fire Rescue will receive funding to instruct, train, and provide job placement assistance for approximately 15 students through December 2026. Vista Fire Rescue employs evidence- based workforce development practices aligned with modern fire service training standards and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements. The City’s outreach strategy leverages partnerships with the Vista Unified School District to reach graduating seniors, with a focus on financially disadvantaged youth. This approach helps address long-standing barriers that have limited access to fire service careers for underrepresented populations.
This is the first time the City of Vista has received funding through the Fire and EMS Pilot Program. The City has been awarded a total of $500,000 through the San Diego Workforce Partnership - Fire and EMS Pilot Pathways Initiative (Exhibit 2). Grant funds will reimburse the City for upfront costs related to classroom instruction, field training, certifications, and employment placement assistance.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approved above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-14. Vote: 5-0
ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Fire Item No: C7
Prepared by: Maia Hodge, Management Analyst Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Approved by:
Gerard Washington, Fire Chief
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP – FIRE AND EMS PROGRAM GRANT AWARD RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , approving the San Diego Workforce Partnership – Fire and EMS Program Grant Award and amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26 and Fiscal Year 2026/27.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety and Fiscal Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On June 10, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-102, approving the Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 operating budget (Vote: 5-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The Fire and EMS Pilot Program, funded by the California Workforce Development Board through the Priority Sector Programming in Healthcare and Public Administration grant, is designed to strengthen the public safety workforce pipeline through strategic investments in training providers, wraparound services, and employer partnerships. The program aims to enroll 250 participants, train 200 individuals, and place at least 150 participants into employment across Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire career pathways.
The San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), a partner in the Fire and EMS Pilot Program, seeks to award funding to multiple San Diego County-based entities to support students and programs within the EMS and fire career pathways. Subrecipients are responsible for implementing eligible activities aligned with the program’s objectives and for reporting performance outcomes throughout the grant period.
Under this grant, Vista Fire Rescue will receive funding to instruct, train, and provide job placement assistance for approximately 15 students through December 2026. Vista Fire Rescue employs evidence- based workforce development practices aligned with modern fire service training standards and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements. The City’s outreach strategy leverages partnerships with the Vista Unified School District to reach graduating seniors, with a focus on financially disadvantaged youth. This approach helps address long-standing barriers that have limited access to fire service careers for underrepresented populations.
This is the first time the City of Vista has received funding through the Fire and EMS Pilot Program. The City has been awarded a total of $500,000 through the San Diego Workforce Partnership - Fire and EMS Pilot Pathways Initiative (Exhibit 2). Grant funds will reimburse the City for upfront costs related to classroom instruction, field training, certifications, and employment placement assistance.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
01/27/2026 C7 1 of 6
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 27, 2026 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP – FIRE AND EMS PROGRAM GRANT AWARD To receive the Fire and EMS Pilot Pathways grant funds, staff recommend that the City Council approve a resolution accepting the grant and amending the Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget (Exhibit 1). The City Manager will be authorized to execute all necessary grant and contract documents on behalf of the City with the San Diego Workforce Partnership for the Fire and EMS Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: The San Diego Workforce Partnership – Fire and EMS Program grant does not require a funding match. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis; however, the City intends to provide substantial in-kind contributions totaling $208,065 covering facilities, vehicles, infrastructure, and administration. City Council approval of the staff recommendation will adjust estimated revenues in the SDWP Fire Pilot Pathways Grant revenue account (No. 1160025.424200.00306) for the $500,000 and appropriate these funds into the SDWP Fire Pilot Pathways Grant Special Department expenditure account (No. 1160250.531500.00306).
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2026- , approving the San Diego Workforce Partnership – Fire and EMS Program Grant Award and amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26 and Fiscal Year 2026/27
2.San Diego Workforce Partnership – Fire and EMS Program Grant Award Letter 01/27/2026 C7 2 of 6
00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE
PARTNERSHIP – FIRE AND EMS PROGRAM GRANT AWARD AND
AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 AND FISCAL YEAR 2026/27
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. On June 10, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-102, approving the Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 operating budget (Vote: 5-0).
B. The San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), a partner in the Fire and EMS Pilot Program, seeks to award funding to multiple San Diego County–based entities to support students and programs within the EMS and fire career pathways. Subrecipients are responsible for implementing eligible activities aligned with the program’s objectives and for reporting performance outcomes throughout the grant period.
C. The City of Vista will receive $500,000 through the San Diego Workforce Partnership - Fire and EMS Pilot Pathways Initiative.
D. The City Council desires to accept the grant funds and amend the Operating Budget to reflect these changing circumstances.
2. Action.
A. The grant funds in the amount of $500,000 are accepted by the City.
B. The Operating Budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year is amended as set forth in Exhibit A.
[Continued on page 2]
01/27/2026 C7 3 of 6
EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 2
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on January 27, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20260120141521
JOHN FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
01/27/2026 C7 4 of 6
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 1 EXHIBIT A
1. Account Number Account Description Increase Decrease 1160025.424200.00306 SDWP Fire Pilot Pathways Grant Revenue 500,000$ 1160250.531500.00306 SDWP Fire Pilot Pathways Grant Special Department Expense 500,000$ Appropriations are hereby made and estimated revenues are hereby adjusted to fund Fire Pilot Pathways Grant Project. 01/27/2026 C7 5 of 6
January 5, 2026
Cindy Grady
City of Vista
200 Civic Center Dr #100
Vista, CA 92084
Re: Service Agreement, EMS-Fire Pilot Pathways Initiative Dear Ms. Grady,
We are pleased to inform you that your organization’s submission to the EMS-Fire Pilot Pathways Initiative has been selected for funding in the amount of $500,000.00. This funding is effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and is contingent upon the completion of necessary documentation.
We will be in touch with next steps regarding service agreement execution and partnership.
You will also need to have W-9 and Certificate of Insurance (COI) documents ready for submission, as outlined in the Service Agreement example provided at RFP release. Once these items are ready, you may submit them to [email protected].
We look forward to working with you to provide San Diego County with the educational and career skills necessary to be successful in today’s job market. Should you have any questions regarding funding or the required documents, please do not hesitate to re ach out to the Program Manager, Clea Shannon, [email protected], or Program Specialist, Maezn Micael, [email protected].
Sincerely,
Rachel Bereza
President and CEO
Docusign Envelope ID: F64B9029-8DDA-49E3-819B-D00F76D0001C 01/27/2026 C7 6 of 6
EXHIBIT 2