REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 6, 2026
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Purchase of Unbudgeted Capital Asset - Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve the purchase from Pivotal of one unmanned Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft and accompanying training simulator, including a loaner prototype unmanned Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft, in an amount not to exceed $450,000, pursuant to the Purchase Order Addendum, which modifies and supersedes conflicting Pivotal terms and conditions and incorporates San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s standard contractual terms, including indemnification and insurance requirements, California governing law and venue, attorney’s fees and costs, and termination for convenience.
2. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the budget adjustments to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District’s 2026-27 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total not to exceed amount of $450,000 will be funded by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) through the use of available reserves in the Special Incident Reserve (1069992412).
The necessary budget adjustments are as follows:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
1069992412 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
Increase |
$450,000 |
|
2412 |
37008880 |
Fund Balance-Reserved-Available Reserves |
Decrease |
$450,000 |
|
1061132410 |
54404040 |
Equipment |
Increase |
$450,000 |
|
1061132410 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
Increase |
$450,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SBCFPD is committed to delivering the highest level of public safety service in an efficient, modern, and fiscally responsible manner. As emergency incidents increase in complexity and scale, SBCFPD continues to invest in innovative tools that strengthen operational readiness and enhance service delivery to the communities it serves.
SBCFPD operates an array of specialized equipment designed to support rapid response, situational awareness, and safe deployment of personnel. Recently, Pivotal, a leading developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, partnered with SBCFPD and other public safety agencies to conduct a series of demonstration events in California. These demonstrations showcased the aircraft’s potential to significantly reduce response times, improve incident reconnaissance, enhance situational awareness, support the delivery of medical supplies, and facilitate access to victims in remote or otherwise inaccessible terrain. On July 20, 2026, at the San Bernardino County Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Steering Committee meeting, SBCFPD presented additional concepts regarding the use of UAS in emergency response incidents.
SBCFPD’s Special Operations unit is enhancing its emergency response capabilities through the purchase of an eVTOL aircraft and accompanying training simulator. The eVTOL aircraft supports SBCFPD’s strong commitment to public safety, emergency preparedness, and the protection of residents, businesses, and natural resources throughout the County. This equipment will strengthen current emergency operations and help ensure SBCFPD remains prepared to meet the growing demands placed on first responders across the region.
Approval of the recommended actions will allow SBCFPD to complete the purchase of one unmanned eVTOL aircraft, the accompanying training simulator, and a loaner prototype unmanned eVTOL aircraft to be used while the eVTOL is being developed. The eVTOL will enhance public safety by providing rapid aerial situational awareness that supports faster emergency decisions, more effective evacuations, and safer deployment of fire and rescue personnel.
As part of the proposed purchase, Pivotal has agreed to an Addendum that modifies Pivotal’s standard terms and conditions and establishes the contractual terms governing the transaction. The Addendum provides that its terms, together with SBCFPD’s purchase order, will control over any conflicting terms contained in Pivotal’s contract documents, proposals, invoices, end user license agreements, or other materials. It also incorporates SBCFPD’s standard contract terms, including indemnification and insurance requirements, California governing law and venue, allocation of attorney’s fees and costs, and termination for convenience.
PROCUREMENT
Pivotal provides the proprietary technology for its eVTOL aircraft, including the software, technical support, and training necessary for operation and support. Pivotal has also demonstrated specific knowledge of SBCFPD’s operational requirements for this platform.
Purchasing concurs with SBCFPD’s non-competitive justification for the recommended purchase from Pivotal.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on August 11, 2026; County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 30, 2026; Purchasing (Joni Yang, Buyer III, 387-2463) on September 2, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on September 21, 2026.