The City of San Diego contracted Citygate on an as-needed basis for consultation work to support, evaluate, and review various areas of operation within the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The current projects include an EMS ambulance deployment study and a review of staffing levels, hiring, and training programs within the Emergency Command and Data Center.

Citygate is currently conducting the first-ever independent Standards of Coverage evaluation of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s fire and emergency medical services deployment system, including the current system’s capacity to evolve over time as a very diverse metropolitan area. This analysis will determine if the current fire station locations and crew/apparatus staffing are sufficient to meet the unique needs of the Department’s service area. A comprehensive community risk assessment will also be included as part of the overall analysis.

Citygate is currently preparing a Capital Facilities Master Plan for the County of Santa Barbara Fire Department. This in-depth master plan for the Department’s buildings will include all fire stations, headquarters, logistics, and aviation and will be sufficient to estimate major repair costs or the need for total replacements over a feasible, multiple-year timeline. Citygate will work with County staff to prepare facility financing strategies considering the Department’s revenue sources.

Citygate conducted a fire services staffing analysis for the Port of Corpus Christi to determine the cost, quantity, type, and recommended schedule necessary to staff a new 70-foot fireboat that will serve both as a Port security patrol boat and a firefighting asset. Additionally, Citygate recommended a Port organizational structure for an effective chain of command up through the Chief Operating Officer position, and provided input on considerations and implications regarding ongoing service delivery needs.

Citygate is currently providing a Standards of Coverage and staffing study in support of the City’s related Santa Clara Development Project. The study includes an analysis of the response area, apparatus needs and replacement costs, staffing needs, and specialized training, apparatus, and equipment to address the unique hazards and demands posed by the former landfill parcels. The results of the study will be used to develop a plan to respond to the specific needs and requirements of the related Santa Clara Development Project and will provide recommendations to the City and Developer to improve and enhance the overall safety and security of future patrons and residents of this new mixed-use development.

Citygate is currently conducting a Standards of Coverage (SOC) study update, community risk assessment, and facility assessment for the City of Huntington Beach Fire Department to assist the Department in achieving agency accreditation with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. In addition, the study is intended to establish current response performance, identify new targets for improvement, and serve as the basis for a new Strategic Community Risk Reduction Program that will identify and implement programs to mitigate risks and make the City a safer, healthier, and more resilient community. The facility assessment will assist in identifying modifications or use of existing facility space to reduce employee exposure to carcinogens. In addition to identifying specific facility needs, the assessment will form the baseline for future annual facility safety inspections. Citygate also performed the City’s 2017 SOC study.

Citygate performed a deployment analysis, with fiscal/governance options analysis, for the County of Solano Local Agency Formation Commission, which includes the Cordelia Fire Protection District, the Vacaville Fire Protection District, the Suisun Fire Protection District, and the Montezuma Fire Protection District. The deployment analysis utilized the Standards of Coverage systems approach to fire department deployment as published by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. The fiscal governance options analysis utilized the deployment analysis to review the cost and governance complexity of providing the services as independent agencies, which were then compared to a best-fit form of merger, contract, Joint Powers Authority, or district reorganization.

Citygate is currently assisting the Southern Marin Fire Protection District and the Mill Valley Fire Department with their fire services merger work. This includes ad hoc coaching and meeting facilitation at the District Fire Chief’s direction, as well as additional work as needed.

Citygate evaluated the provision and cost of fire services for the City of Tehachapi, California, with the goal of identifying the level of fire services needed for the community and identifying options to achieve that goal and resultant costs. Citygate also assisted the City in contract fire services renegotiation with the County of Kern.

Citygate is currently performing a fire department services evaluation for the City of Hastings, Minnesota, Fire Department. This assessment will establish recommended minimum requirements relative to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations for the Department to consider and will create a template for future analysis and long-term financial planning.