For City Council Meeting July 28, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christopher P. Jensen, Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Approve an Affiliation Agreement for Residency and Fellowship Rotations between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the City of Rialto Fire Department; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the Affiliation Agreement for Residency and Fellowship Rotations between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) and the City of Rialto Fire Department, effective upon execution through June 30, 2030; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center operates accredited Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs that require clinical rotations for resident and fellow physicians. The City of Rialto Fire Department provides pre-hospital medical care and patient transport, offering an appropriate environment for clinical training and observation.
This agreement enables selected ARMC trainees to participate in supervised clinical rotations with the Rialto Fire Department. It outlines standards of operation, supervision responsibilities, confidentiality requirements, compliance with HIPAA and OSHA, non-discrimination provisions, trainee conduct expectations, and termination clauses.
Key Terms of The Agreement:
• Agreement term: Effective upon execution through June 30, 2030.
• ARMC trainees may rotate with the Rialto Fire Department only when covered by a specialty-specific Program Letter of Agreement (PLA)
• Receiving Site (Rialto Fire Department) will provide supervision, access to patient care environments, orientation, and required training for HIPAA, safety, and infection control.
• Both parties remain responsible for maintaining required accreditation, licenses, and regulatory compliance.
• Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days' written notice, with protections for trainees currently in rotation.
• Both parties are authorized self-insured entities for liability and workers’ compensation.
• No medical staff privileges are granted to trainees.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Affiliation Agreement establishes a collaborative framework between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the City of Rialto Fire Department to facilitate clinical rotations for medical residents and fellows. This partnership is designed to enhance the educational experience of ARMC trainees by providing exposure to pre-hospital medical care and transport services, which are uniquely offered by the Fire Department. The agreement aligns with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards, ensuring that all rotations are governed by appropriate Program Letters of Agreement and supervised by qualified physicians at the Receiving Site.
Key Provisions Include:
• Mutual responsibilities for maintaining facility standards, accreditation, and compliance with federal and state regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA.
• Clear delineation of roles: ARMC retains responsibility for program planning and trainee oversight, while the Fire Department provides supervision, access to facilities, and orientation for trainees.
• Trainees participate in a range of clinical activities under direct supervision, with patient consent and confidentiality strictly maintained.
• The agreement is non-exclusive, allows for termination with notice, and includes indemnification clauses to protect both parties from liability arising from negligent acts.
This collaboration is expected to benefit both organizations by contributing to health-related education, meeting community needs, and strengthening local healthcare capacity. The agreement is effective upon execution and continues through June 30, 2030, with provisions for early termination if necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed Affiliation Agreement between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the City of Rialto Fire Department is an administrative and operational arrangement that enables medical residents and fellows to participate in clinical rotations within the Fire Department. The agreement does not involve construction, physical modifications to facilities, changes in land use, or operational expansions that would create a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect environmental impact.
Based on the nature of the agreement, staff has determined that it does not constitute a project under CEQA or is otherwise exempt because it has no potential to result in a significant environmental effect. No further environmental review is required.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Guiding principle: “Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Affiliation Agreement for Residency and Fellowship Rotations