El Cajon care facilities to incur 5 fee for each 911 lift-assist call.

In a significant move aimed at managing emergency resources more efficiently, the City Council of El Cajon is considering a new fee structure targeting care facilities that request lift assistance for clients who have fallen but are not injured. If passed, facilities would incur a charge of 5 for these non-emergency calls. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the city to address concerns regarding excessive calls to 911 from local care homes.

The proposed fee would exclusively apply to licensed care facilities, not to households. According to a staff report presented to the council, there were 382 lift-assist calls logged in 2024; of these, approximately 12%—or 46 calls—originated from care facilities. City Manager Graham Mitchell noted that a small number of these facilities were responsible for a disproportionate number of calls, which take an average of 18 minutes for emergency responders to handle.

Mitchell stated that while the volume of calls may not seem excessive, they do divert valuable resources away from emergencies requiring immediate attention. The Council’s interest in mitigating these disruptions arose after a report showed that 44% of calls from the city’s 20 licensed care facilities were non-emergency in nature. The total count from these facilities reached 2,753, accounting for over 15% of all fire department calls in one year, which averages out to 7.5 calls per day.

In September, the Council initially broached the idea of implementing a fee for non-emergency calls after a facility surpasses a predefined threshold. The proposed fee structure might make El Cajon the first city in California, and potentially the country, to impose such charges for lift-assist requests. The concept draws from existing fees implemented in other California cities and regions, such as Rocklin, Decatur in Illinois, and Tacoma in Washington.

As discussions continue, Mitchell emphasized the intention behind the fee is not solely punitive but rather a proactive measure to encourage care facilities to enhance their operational processes. Councilmember Phil Ortiz supported the new fee, citing the importance of preventing the subsidization of business operations at taxpayers’ expense.

Counsel discussed the implementation of educational initiatives aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for affected facilities. Following a unanimous vote, city staff will prepare a draft ordinance to be reviewed again in April and May. If approved, the new fee is expected to take effect on June 12, 2025. This initiative reflects El Cajon’s commitment to responsible resource management while safeguarding the efficiency of its emergency services.

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