Richmond council directs manager to develop funding plan for Advanced Life Support paramedic program
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Summary
After a six‑month update, Richmond officials approved staff direction to develop revenue and financing options to implement a phased Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic program, citing a preliminary five‑year implementation cost of about $20.46 million and significant facility and apparatus expenses that will require additional revenue sources or financing.
The Richmond City Council voted to receive a staff update and to direct the city manager to develop revenue enhancement and financing recommendations for a phased Advanced Life Support (ALS) program for the Richmond Fire Department.
Fire Chief Aaron Osorio told the council the department recommends a hybrid rollout that begins with three single‑role paramedic squads and phases in ALS engine and truck companies over five years so that, by fiscal year 2029–30, every company could provide paramedic‑level care. "This program aligns well with [the council's] Health in All Policies and public safety goals," Osorio said.
Emily Combs, the city’s Director of Finance, presented an initial five‑year operational estimate. "The 5 year total for the ALS program implementation is approximately $20,460,000," she said, adding that personnel costs are the largest component (about $14.34 million over five years) and that capital and facility needs are significant and subject to further refinement.
Staff told the council the program will require new job classifications (an EMS division chief, a clinical care manager, an associate administrative analyst and 19 single‑role paramedics phased across fiscal years) and a meet‑and‑confer process with affected bargaining units. Chief Osorio warned of long lead times for apparatus orders and noted that apparatus and construction costs have risen since the initial consultant estimates: squad vehicle builds are now estimated in the range of $1.5 million to $1.8 million each, and station upgrades and temporary modular solutions carry material cost uncertainty.
Council members pressed staff on funding sources, equity of initial station siting and whether the city could rely on grants. Osorio said past federal grants that helped other agencies are largely unavailable for full ALS implementation today, and staff recommended a coordinated approach that includes consideration of settlement funds interest earnings, bond measures or other revenue enhancements. The city manager said staff would return with a range of financing options and revenue enhancement strategies for council consideration.
Public commenters and union representatives urged timely investment in equipment, training and maintenance staffing. Kevin Tisdale of SEIU emphasized that maintenance and fleet divisions will need resources if the department adds vehicles and equipment.
The council’s motion to receive the update and direct the city manager to develop revenue and financing recommendations passed unanimously. The council did not adopt any immediate appropriation for ALS implementation; the staff presentation and the vote instead authorized further work on financing options and next steps.
What’s next: staff were directed to draft revenue and financing options and return to the council with recommendations that may include a set of scenarios (including the use of interest earnings on settlement funds, bond financing or other revenue streams) for council review and public discussion.