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Council authorizes early hires to staff fourth ambulance and reimplement emergency medical dispatch
Summary
To meet its July 1 goal for a fourth ambulance (Medic 4) and to restart Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), the council authorized hiring six firefighter-paramedics and two public-safety dispatchers early. Staff said the early hires will reduce onboarding time; the one-time FY24-25 cost is estimated at $202,280.
The Cathedral City Council on March 12 authorized early hiring to staff a fourth ambulance and reimplement an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system, approving the addition of six firefighter-paramedics and two public-safety dispatchers to accelerate training and onboarding.
Fire Chief Contreras told the council the department needs to hire six firefighter-paramedics "two months early" to ensure Medic 4 is operational by July 1. Chief Contreras said the city is recruiting through paramedic schools and internal pipelines to shorten background and onboarding timelines. He said the hires will help reduce mandatory overtime and secure qualified paramedics.
Staff presented a fiscal estimate for the remainder of FY24-25: $160,631 for the six firefighter-paramedics (to come from Measure W fund 151) and $41,000 for the two public-safety dispatchers (to come from the general fund), for a total near $202,280. Staff said Measure W is anticipated to generate approximately $5 million (half a percent of existing sales/use tax revenue earmarked for Measure W) in year one; the city will allocate measure funds across identified pillars including fire, roads, community center, parks and debt service. Staff noted ambulance-transport fees and reimbursement will generate revenue credited to the general fund.
Why it matters: Council's action seeks to ensure continuity of emergency medical service capacity and to implement tiered dispatch protocols under EMD that staff said will improve resource use by matching response level to patient needs.
Council action: Mayor Pro Tem Gregory moved to authorize the staffing increase; Council Member Gutierrez seconded and the motion carried unanimously on the dais.
Operational details and next steps: Chief Contreras said hiring and background checks can take 60 to 90 days and that starting the hiring process immediately is necessary to meet the July 1 target. Staff said the additional dispatcher positions are required because EMD calls take longer to process and therefore require more dispatcher staffing on peak shifts. The city manager said Measure W receipts will be reconciled and allocated according to the five originally planned pillars; remaining timing and exact budget impacts will be refined in upcoming budget hearings.
