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Date: |
September 15, 2026 |
02 |
Title
Request for a Single Source Procurement for a New Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for Continued Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services (Districts: All)
End
Overview
In 2008, the County of San Diego (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) established the San Diego County Fire Authority (County Fire) to coordinate fire protection and emergency response services to under-resourced fire protection districts and volunteer fire companies in the rural communities of the unincorporated region. In 2020, the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) was created to formalize the governance, boundary and latent powers for service, and provide a funding source from a dedicated portion of property taxes within the SDCFPD. By 2024, 20 formerly independent fire agencies consolidated into the SDCFP). To provide fire protection and emergency medical services, the County partners with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) through a cooperative agreement (Agreement). As of July 1, 2026, the County funds over 300 CAL Fire staff to provide paramedic-level responses at 21 fire stations, manages over 20 ambulances in the SDCFPD Ground Ambulance Service Area (ASA), and provides critical fire prevention efforts to help mitigate wildfires in our region.
The County’s current Agreement with CAL FIRE was approved by the Board on May 24, 2022 (3), for up to three years and two option years through June 30, 2027. Today’s request is to authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to enter into a contract with CAL FIRE for fire protection and emergency medical services and operating goods.
Body
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize
the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and subject to successful negotiations and a determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract for fire protection and emergency medical services and operating goods effective July 1, 2027, with an initial term of three years and two option years and an additional six months if needed, through December 31, 2032, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to requirements and funding.
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Equity Impact Statement
The San Diego County Fire Protection District serves many of the County’s most rural, geographically isolated, and under-resourced communities. Residents in these areas often face long travel distances to essential services such as healthcare, emergency medical response, and ambulance transport. The partnership with CAL FIRE helps reduce these disparities by providing more equitable access to fire protection and emergency medical services. Continued investment in these resources ensures that residents in rural and underserved communities receive the same high-quality emergency response capabilities available in more populated parts of San Diego County.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s actions support the region’s environmental sustainability and resilience by maintaining critical wildfire prevention, preparedness and response services. Continued partnership with CAL FIRE supports vegetation management, fuel reduction, and rapid wildfire response efforts that help reduce the severity of wildfires and their impact on communities, natural resources, and sensitive habitats.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact in Fiscal Year 26-27 in the San Diego County Fire (County Fire). The current Cooperative Agreement contract with CAL FIRE will expire on June 20, 2027. Upon successful negotiations of a new Cooperative Agreement, costs and funding will be included in the Fiscal Year 2027-28 Operational Plan for County Fire. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $97,104,962 in Fiscal Year 2027-28. The funding sources are General Purpose Revenue ($74,346,673), service agreements with Jamul Indian Village, SDG&E, and Avangrid Renewables ($3,015,217), SDCFPD property tax ($12,846,915), ambulance transports fees from ASA ($6,681,157), and the CAL FIRE Wildfire Mitigation Grant ($215,000). There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
The devastating wildfires in 2003 and 2007 fundamentally changed the County’s approach to wildfire preparedness, emergency response, and regional coordination. At that time, fire protection throughout the unincorporated county was largely provided through a patchwork of volunteer fire companies, small rural fire districts, and independent agencies operating with varying levels of staffing, equipment, and resources. While these organizations were deeply committed to serving their communities, the lack of a coordinated regional system created challenges during large-scale emergencies that crossed boundaries, as well as the need for highly skilled, consistent emergency response to structure fires, vehicle accidents and emergency medical services in the unincorporated region.
In response to these events, on September 20, 2005 (1), the Board entered into a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to provide fire protection and emergency medical services. In 2008, San Diego County Fire Authority (County Fire) was established to improve regional coordination, strengthen emergency response capabilities, and build a more comprehensive fire protection system for the County’s rural communities. Over the past two decades, County Fire and CAL FIRE have worked together to transform fire protection and emergency response services throughout the region. Local fire agencies consolidated into County Fire, creating a more coordinated and sustainable regional system. Volunteer-reserve staffing models gradually transitioned to professional career staffing beginning in 2014, and by 2019, all County Fire stations were staffed around-the-clock with career firefighters and paramedics capable of providing all-hazard emergency response and paramedic level advanced life support. CAL FIRE also provides staffing to support firefighting and emergency medical care on the San Diego Sheriff’s Office helicopters during wildfire incidents and search and rescue operations. Communities that once relied primarily on volunteer response now have around-the-clock professional staffing consistent with municipal areas. In 2020, the County transitioned from County Service Area No. 135 to the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD), creating a permanent district to support long-term investments and capital improvements for fire protection, emergency medical services and wildfire preparedness. By 2024, 20 formerly independent fire agencies consolidated into the SDCFPD 2023, County Fire assumed responsibility for ambulance transportation services within the San Diego County Fire Protection District through the establishment of the Ground Ambulance Service Area (ASA), advancing emergency medical service delivery for rural and underserved communities by creating a locally managed ambulance transportation system.
As of July 1, 2026, the County funds over 300 CAL FIRE firefighters to provide emergency and paramedic-level responses at 21 fire stations with a service area of 1.73 million acres and provides critical fire prevention activities to help mitigate wildfires in our region. In addition, the ASA ensures residents throughout the SDCFPD and the communities of Alpine, Deer Springs, Valley Center and Crest receive timely access to lifesaving Advanced Live Support ambulance transportations services, managing over 20 ambulances.
County Fire and CAL FIRE also partner on community preparedness and wildfire risk reduction, operating a comprehensive pre-fire strategy with a focus on vegetation management and roadside clearing, community wildfire planning, and defensible space inspections. Together, these programs reduce hazardous fuel conditions, ensure key evacuation routes stay clear and help prevent wildfires from spreading to homes and other structures. Across the State, County Fire and CAL FIRE are leaders in preparing and mitigating for disastrous wildfires by investing in communities and preparing residents.
Approval of the new 5-year agreement will continue the longstanding partnership that has transformed fire protection and emergency medical services in our region and ensures critical lifesaving services residents rely on every day will remain uninterrupted.
Justification for Single Source Procurement
In accordance with Board of Supervisors Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, County Fire requests approval for single source procurement of fire protection, emergency medical services and operating goods from CAL FIRE. Under Board Policy A-87, 3A1 Unique Capability and 3A3 Continuity. CAL FIRE is the largest public agency that contracts out public firefighting services in California, making them uniquely positioned to provide these critical services to local public agencies. CAL FIRE currently contracts with 36 of the state’s 58 counties, and with the remainder of counties providing their own firefighting services. Through the unique partnership with CAL FIRE, 21 County Fire stations and 18 CAL FIRE state stations operate under a unified command, further bolstering fire protection and emergency medical services within the SDCFPD and the entire region. With this request to approve a new contract with CAL FIRE, continuity of operations will be ensured.
Today’s request is to authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to enter into a contract with CAL FIRE for fire protection and emergency medical services and operating goods.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s action supports the Community Initiative of the County of San Diego 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by ensuring our communities have the resources needed to respond to wildfire and medical emergencies.
Respectfully submitted,
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
N/A