Arthur "Art" Andres

As CONFIRE director, Andres recommended funding to direct low-urgency 911 calls to nurses. The program began in December 2020. He later backed up to $2.1 million in reimbursement funding for expanded staffing. A separate federal grant application received no award.

April 21, 2022Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended formal competitive bidding for all private ambulance-service contracts. The adopted policy included service quality, financial stability, pay and staffing among bid criteria.

April 21, 2022Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended an approximately 10% pay-equity increase for dispatch-unit staff to help recruitment and retention. The Board approved it 6–0. His report counted 23 of 35 staffing recommendations as implemented. Staffing remained 20% below authorized levels.

November 29, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended ending daily check-ins with dispatch for crews already assigned to emergencies outside the local area. The adopted policy retained travel tracking to and from incidents. Chiefs adopted the change 10–0, with two absent.

September 28, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Reported introducing automatic dispatch and early alerts for urgent 911 calls while leading CONFIRE. Initial agency data showed processing time fell 21% and 14% for two urgent call categories. The measure ran from answering the call to notifying the first unit.

August 24, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended agreements linking emergency dispatch systems across the region. This included $350,000 in grant reimbursement and a Chino Police pilot. He also recommended a dedicated fund for the linked system. By 2022, CONFIRE reported four connected centers.

August 24, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended corrected call counts for allocating member agencies’ costs. The rerun added 4,439 incidents and revised agency shares. The projected net budget increase was $731.

February 23, 2021Supports Government Efficiency

Source: confire-joint-powers-auth-ca.municodemeetings.com

As CONFIRE director, Andres recommended funding to direct low-urgency 911 calls to nurses. The program began in December 2020. He later backed up to $2.1 million in reimbursement funding for expanded staffing. A separate federal grant application received no award.

April 21, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended an approximately 10% pay-equity increase for dispatch-unit staff to help recruitment and retention. The Board approved it 6–0. His report counted 23 of 35 staffing recommendations as implemented. Staffing remained 20% below authorized levels.

November 29, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Presented balanced annual budgets while leading CONFIRE. The 2021–22 plan included an $11,570,714 operating fund. The Board adopted that plan 7–0, with one member absent.

April 29, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: confire-joint-powers-auth-ca.municodemeetings.com

Publicly supported Type 1A home construction in a developer’s June 2024 release. His comments linked that approach to firefighter focus and residents’ willingness to evacuate.

June 11, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: phnxdevelopment.com

Recommended creating CONFIRE’s EMS division and hiring consultants to prepare an ambulance-service bid. The consulting contract was approved with a $255,372 limit. He later joined Priority Ambulance to run its CONFIRE operation. In April 2025, he reported downsizing and 71 ambulances still held ready.

April 22, 2025

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Andres worked as a Mercy Ambulance paramedic and an Orange County firefighter. He then served Ontario’s fire department from 1996 to 2020, rising to senior deputy chief.

February 21, 2024

Source: yahoo.com

Recommended accepting Ontario as a contract agency in CONFIRE. The Board approved admission 7–0. The final service agreement and its costs were still to return for approval.

April 21, 2022

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Co-recommended $338,864 in budget funding for completed dispatch-phone and mapping upgrades. Staff reported the system went live in August 2021, with acceptance in October. The Board approved the funding request.

April 21, 2022

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended a long-term lease for CONFIRE at the new Valley Communications Center. The plan assumed a $3 million payment to reduce future rent. The Board approved the plan 7–0.

April 21, 2022

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended a five-year lease for space for CONFIRE’s technology staff in Rialto. The plan listed about $45,900 in annual costs. Chiefs authorized the lease.

February 22, 2022

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Members of San Bernardino County’s emergency medical advisory committee elected Andres chair in 2020 and 2022. He cast one of 14 named ayes in the 2022 election.

January 20, 2022

Source: icema.sbcounty.gov

Recommended a policy allowing access to legally disclosable CONFIRE records. The policy required notice to affected agencies. It preserved their opportunity to comment or seek a court order. The committee adopted the policy.

October 26, 2021

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Submitted a plan to share emergency vehicles’ locations with other agencies using the same dispatch app. Chiefs authorized sharing 10–0, with two absent. The authorization preserved participating agencies’ opt-out right.

August 24, 2021

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended a shared emergency pre-planning system for 13 fire agencies. The chiefs approved a $195,000 annual subscription and $118,000 from reserves toward first-year costs.

May 25, 2021

Source: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net

Recommended putting new member-agency fees into a reserve for employee leave and pension liabilities. The chiefs approved the change 7–0, with one absent.

February 23, 2021

Source: confire-joint-powers-auth-ca.municodemeetings.com

Advanced changes to CONFIRE’s joint agency agreement for Board review. The Board’s recommendation placed agency assets first in covering a member’s unpaid retirement obligations. Member-government ratification was required.

December 10, 2020

Source: confire-joint-powers-auth-ca.municodemeetings.com

Recommended $91,879 to expand automated spoken dispatch alerts for fire crews. The purchase covered both centers, including Hesperia’s alerting equipment.

September 22, 2020

Source: confire-joint-powers-auth-ca.municodemeetings.com

As Ontario deputy fire chief, Andres reported early water-department coordination during a recycling-plant fire. He said it aimed to boost flow and pressure, using lessons from a 2016 fire.

April 30, 2019

Source: abc7.com

Was credited on the technical advisory committee for California pediatric emergency-care guidance. The 2015 document names him as an Ontario Fire Department paramedic.

September 2, 2015

Source: df7c6sj3qwqvl.cloudfront.net

Helped Ontario secure the 2011 Western Police and Fire Games. A 2009 announcement credited his work in the two-year bid campaign.

August 3, 2009

Source: police1.com

Wrote a training article on blast injuries for emergency responders. It covered hidden injuries, scene safety and coordination.

July 1, 2008

Source: fireengineering.com