DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Joe Prado, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Voluntary Termination of Agreements for Fire Dispatch Services with Laton Community Services District
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Accept termination letter from Laton Community Services District for fire dispatch services revenue Agreement No. 24-320, effective January 1, 2026; and
2. Retroactively authorize the Department of Public Health Interim Director’s submission of a written notice to K.W.P.H, dba American Ambulance to terminate Agreement No. 24-321 for fire dispatch service for Laton Volunteer Fire Department, pursuant to the Without Cause provision of the Agreement, effective January 1, 2026.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the first recommended action will accept termination of dispatch service revenue agreement with Laton Community Services District (LCSD) at the Fresno County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Communications Center effective January 1, 2026. Approval of the second recommended action will allow the voluntary without cause termination of Laton Fire Dispatch services with American Ambulance effective January 1, 2026. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended actions are retroactive to January 1, 2026, as there was some confusion with agreement number listed in the termination letter provided by LCSD, causing some delays. This matter was cleared up, and this agenda item is being brought before your Board in accordance with the agenda item processing timelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. With the termination of Agreement No. 24-320, there will be a loss of revenue in the amount of $1,731 for FY 2025-26 and $3,567 for FY 2026-27. This is mostly offset by decreasing expenditures to American Ambulance with the termination of Agreement No. 24-321 in the amount of $1,554 for FY 2025-26 and $3,201 for FY 2026-27. The amount kept by the County through these agreements in the amount of $177 for FY 2025-26 and $366 for FY 2026-27 will be offset by redistributing those costs and charging more to other users of the EMS Communication’s Center for EMS and fire dispatch services. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Health’s Org 5620 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On June 18, 2024, your Board approved revenue Agreement 24-320 with LCSD and service Agreement 24-321 with American Ambulance regarding the provision of fire dispatch services with the EMS Communications Center. Fire Dispatch services for Laton Volunteer Fire Department began on July 1, 2013, after your Board approved Agreements 13-347 and 13-348 on June 18, 2013.
On September 29, 2025, LCSD provided a written letter of termination stating their intent to terminate Agreement 24-320 and discontinue receiving fire dispatch services from the EMS Communications Center effective January 1, 2026, at 0000 hours. As there is a corresponding service agreement with American Ambulance, who operates the EMS Communications Center on behalf of County, and provides dispatch services for Laton Volunteer Fire Department through Agreement 24-321, a letter of termination was provided to American Ambulance on October 27, 2025.
The recommended actions approve both termination letters and confirm the cancellation of fire dispatch services for the Laton Volunteer Fire Department. The recommended actions do not affect ongoing services with the EMS Communications Center operated by American Ambulance.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #38, June 18, 2024
BAI #38, June 18, 2013
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Letter of Termination from LCSD
On file with Clerk - Letter of Termination to American Ambulance
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander