Stockton, CA - The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors today approved an agreement with the CENCAL Fire and EMS Authority to provide exclusive emergency ambulance services in Ambulance Zones X and Y and dispatch services for all emergency ambulance providers, reinforcing the County's commitment to public safety, accountability, and high-quality emergency medical care.

The five-year agreement runs from May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2031 and follows an extensive, multi-year review of the County's emergency medical services system, including an independent system assessment and a competitive request for proposals process led by the San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services Agency.

“Emergency medical services are not optional, they are essential,” said Board Chair Sonny Dhaliwal. “This agreement reflects careful planning, strong oversight, and our responsibility to ensure residents receive timely, professional emergency care when they need it most. This decision supports public safety, fiscal discipline, and reliable emergency response across San Joaquin County.”

CENCAL Fire and EMS Authority was selected through a competitive process and demonstrated the capacity to meet the County's operational, clinical, and performance standards. The agreement establishes exclusive operating areas for Zones X and Y and provides continuity of service while strengthening system accountability.

Under the agreement, CENCAL will provide emergency ambulance and dispatch services without subsidy from the County General Fund and will fully reimburse the County for the costs of performance monitoring and administration by the Emergency Medical Services Agency.

The County's Emergency Medical Services Agency will oversee the agreement to ensure compliance with response time requirements, performance metrics, and patient care standards.

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