Public Safety Services

San Clemente's Public Safety Services consist of the Marine Safety Division (Ocean Lifeguards) and contracted services with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and Falck Mobile Health Corp. (Falck) for ambulance transport services. In FY 2024 the City added temporary private security services to aid police in affected areas of the City.  

Auxiliary program costs consist of ambulance billing services administered by Wittman Enterprises and the Public Providers Ground Emergency Medical Transport Intergovernmental Transfer program (PP-GEMT-IGT) established by the DHCS to provide the City Federal fund matching for ambulanced transported Medi-Cal patients.

In FY 2023-24, $40.6 million, or 51%, of General Fund operating expenditures are budgeted for public safety: $22.9 million for Police Services, which includes $0.4 million for pension payment; $13.9 million for Fire, which includes $0.3 million for a pension payment and $1.9 million for Ambulance Services; $2.1 million for Marine Safety; and $1.8 million for Code Compliance.

The OCSD services contract increases $1,121,784, or 6%, from $18.69 million to $19.81 million, due to the one-time addition of four (4) patrol deputies to address service demands in affected areas of the City. Implementation costs for the new deputy positions will include two (2) additional patrol vehicles retrofitted with mobile data computers and in-car video cameras systems. Total costs for the one-time addition of the four (4) patrol deputies total $1,404,057. The total police services program budget decreases by $360,220 or 2%, to $21.1 million, for FY 2023-24. The budget also includes $1.2 million to address County labor negotiations which will take effect in this fiscal year.

The Fire Services budget which includes OCFA, Falck, Wittman, and the PP-GEMT-IGT program, decreases overall by $277,800, or 2%, to $13.8 million. OCFA’s fire services contract increases by $560,240 or 5% from $10.9 million to 11.4 million and is comprised of the base contract ($11.3 million), facilities maintenance ($46,600) and vehicle replacement ($171,640). Falck ambulance transport services cost increase $41,551 or 2.5% from $1.67 million to 1.72 million.

Public Safety Task Force

In April 2017 the City Council initiated the creation of a Public Safety Task Force based on the findings of a Police Services study by the Matrix Consulting Group (Matrix).  The City Council determined this was the first step to implementing any of Matrix’s recommendations.  The task force will review, discuss and analyze data to achieve consensus on recommendations for potential implementation measures related to Public Safety Services.  Additionally, the task force will initiate and develop a community based public safety strategic planning process that will result in a public safety strategic plan for the City Council to review and approve for future implementation.

Click Here for more information on the Public Safety Task Force.

Police Services Summary

Purpose Statement:

To provide responsive, professional law enforcement service to all people in San Clemente. These services are contracted through the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Police Services

• Provide law enforcement services to the public.
• Protect lives and property.
• Initiate and maintain crime prevention programs.
• Investigate and solve crimes.
• Provide educational programs to the public. 

OCSD FY 2024 Cost Spreadsheet
FY 2024 Police Services Budget Summary
FY 2024 Police Services Contract
FY 2023 Police Services Budget Summary
FY 2023 Police Services Contract

Fire Services Summary

Purpose Statement:
To provide quality safety and emergency service in a timely and efficient manner. These services are contracted through the Orange County Fire Authority. 

Fire Services

• Provide safety and emergency services to the public.
• Provide paramedic and ambulance transport services.
• Provide fire investigation services.
• Respond to hazardous materials incidents.
• Provide fire prevention, public information and educational programs.

FY 2024 Fire Services Budget Summary
FY 2023 Fire Services Budget Summary
Amended Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services Agreement
Falck Ambulance Transport Services Contract

Marine Safety Summary

Purpose Statement:
To maximize the safety and well-being of visitors to San Clemente's beach and marine environment through comprehensive public education, preventive measures, and responsive emergency intervention. 

Marine Safety Services

• Provide water observation, rescue response, medical aid and law enforcement services.
• Provide instructional water safety programs through the junior lifeguard, school education, community outreach and media programs.

FY 2024 Marine Safety Budget Summary
FY 2023 Marine Safety Budget Summary