Council approves county ambulance transport agreement; fire chief says it will improve response times

The Ontario City Council voted to authorize a ground ambulance services agreement with consolidated fire agencies (ConFire) and a private ambulance partner after a presentation by Fire Chief Mike Gerken. Chief Gerken described the change as "the largest single ambulance provider transition in our nation's history," saying the JPA with ConFire and Priority Ambulance will improve system efficiency, accountability and visibility into active ambulances in the city.

"For the Ontario Fire Department specifically, we're going to be placing 2 ambulances into service, ALS ambulances," Chief Gerken said, identifying the units as medic ambulance 136 (Station 6) and medic ambulance 137 (Station 7). He said the transport revenues will be reinvested into the county EMS system and that the arrangement gives fire chiefs a seat at the table to monitor response times.

Councilmember Bowman moved the item and council approved the agreement by an electronic vote reported as 5-0. Public commenter Chris Robles expressed appreciation for the chief's presentation but urged improved advance notice and posted materials for the community; staff responded that agenda materials are available on the city's website. The approval included language that the change will not alter how residents call 911 — the Ontario Fire Department's ALS fire engines and paramedics will continue to respond as before; the transporting ambulance may be an Ontario ambulance or a Priority Ambulance assigned through the JPA.