San Rafael and Marinwood explore next steps for fire and emergency medical services

The City of San Rafael and the Marinwood Community Services District are continuing discussions about how to strengthen fire and emergency medical services for San Rafael, Marinwood, and nearby unincorporated areas.

On June 15, 2026, the San Rafael City Council approved an agreement that is the first step towards strengthening fire and emergency medical services in northern San Rafael, Marinwood, County Service Area (CSA) 13, CSA 19, and selected unincorporated areas of Marin County.

At its May 4 meeting, the San Rafael City Council reviewed a proposed phased approach that would begin with updates to the existing shared services agreement between the two agencies. Over time, that work could lead to a more integrated regional service model for fire and emergency medical services.

San Rafael and Marinwood have worked together on fire protection for more than 50 years. Today, that partnership includes closest-unit dispatch across city and district boundaries, shared staffing and operational support, City-provided paramedic services, dispatch and equipment, and chief officer services provided by the San Rafael Fire Department.

Marinwood Fire Station 58, located on Miller Creek Road, plays an important role in serving northern San Rafael. According to the City staff report, Marinwood Fire currently responds to more than 900 calls each year within San Rafael, representing more than half of its total call volume.

Why the City is looking at changes

The current shared services model has helped improve response times and operational coordination. However, increasing service demands, rising operational costs, and the need for consistent paramedic-level emergency medical response (also known as Advanced Life Support capability) have highlighted the need to consider updates.

Like many fire agencies, Marinwood has faced challenges recruiting and retaining paramedics. Because Marinwood operates a single fire station, staffing shortages can directly affect its ability to provide paramedic-level response in the areas it serves, including northern San Rafael.

A 2024 Staffing and Resource Deployment Study prepared for the San Rafael Fire Department found that Station 58 improves effective emergency response when available. The study also recommended exploring the long-term integration of Station 58 into San Rafael Fire Department operations to improve consistency and reliability for both San Rafael and Marinwood.

Proposed phased approach

The City and Marinwood CSD are discussing an incremental approach that would allow both agencies to address immediate service needs while continuing to evaluate a longer-term regional model.

Phase 1: Amend the existing shared services agreement

On June 15, the City Council approved an amendment to the shared services agreement for fiscal year (FY) 2026-27. The amendment is intended to support consistent Advanced Life Support capability, operational costs, and maintain reliable response coverage in northern San Rafael.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• The City will contribute $350,000 to Marinwood CSD to support fire services in FY 2026-27.
• Marinwood CSD will no longer pay approximately $116,000 annually for chief officer services.
• A future provision that, if the amended agreement continues into FY 2027-28, the City's annual payment would increase to $500,000 and then be adjusted annually by an inflation index.
• A shared commitment to continue working toward a more comprehensive regional service model.

Phase 2: Consider having San Rafael provide fire and emergency medical services for Marinwood under contract

The second phase, currently anticipated for FY 2027-28, would involve a contract where Marinwood CSD would pay San Rafael to provide fire and emergency medical services.

Under this possible model, San Rafael firefighters would staff Marinwood Station 58, and Marinwood firefighters who qualify would be offered jobs with the San Rafael Fire Department. Marinwood CSD would provide funding in support of the contract based on available fire services funding.

Phase 3: Explore a comprehensive regional service model

Longer term, the agencies would continue looking at whether one regional approach could better serve San Rafael, Marinwood, CSA 13, CSA 19, and selected unincorporated areas of Marin County.

This phase would require additional coordination with regional partners, labor groups, stakeholders, and the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).

Regional studies support further integration

Independent regional evaluations have also supported a more integrated approach. A 2019 Marin LAFCo Municipal Services Review found that San Rafael is, in many ways, functionally the fire service provider for the broader study area. A 2025 update to that review further recommended a concerted effort toward bringing fire and emergency medical services wholly under one provider.

What happens next

City and Marinwood CSD staff will continue their negotiations and are expected to return to their respective governing bodies for future consideration.

The current anticipated timeline includes:

• July 1, 2026: Amended shared services agreement takes effect.
• July 2026-May 2027: The agencies would continue negotiating a possible contract for services and exploring options for reorganizing fire and emergency medical service delivery.
• July 1, 2027: A contract for services could take effect, if approved by both agencies.

The proposed approach is intended to maintain reliable emergency response in the near term while supporting financially sustainable, long-term regional services for San Rafael, Marinwood, and surrounding communities.