Rep. Panetta Announces Over $3.8 Million for Santa Cruz Fire Department Medical Response Vehicle Pilot Program

November 2, 2026 Press Release Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced $3,837,779 in federal funding for the Santa Cruz Fire Department to test a faster, more targeted response to medical emergencies, including traffic crashes. The funding comes from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program , which helps improve roadway safety by investing in safety strategies to reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities. The project combines two tools to help improve emergency response on Santa Cruz roadways. It will test a cloud-based system that gives emergency vehicles priority at traffic signals, connected to the dispatch system, as well as a smaller medical response vehicle for calls that do not involve a fire, including traffic crashes. The City of Santa Cruz will evaluate whether these tools improve response times and care after crashes, particularly along roads with high rates of serious injuries and key routes to hospitals. “Every second counts for first responders when it comes to driving on our local roads and highways,” said Rep. Panetta. “This federal investment will allow the city of Santa Cruz to test potentially lifesaving technology to help emergency vehicles reach people more quickly and first responders provide timely, effective care. I’m proud to ensure that the federal government plays its part to help our local first responders do their job for the safety of communities in California’s 19th Congressional District.” “This grant will allow Santa Cruz to explore new ways to help first responders reach injured patients faster, provide lifesaving care, and improve roadway safety,” said Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley. “I am grateful for Congressman Panetta’s support in delivering this significant federal investment to strengthen emergency response and make our community safer.” “Keeping our community safe is one of our most important responsibilities, and this investment gives Santa Cruz an exciting opportunity to strengthen how we respond to emergencies. We’re grateful to Congressman Panetta for securing this funding and recognizing the importance of investing in innovative solutions that can help save lives and make our streets safer for everyone. We’re excited to test these tools, evaluate their effectiveness, and identify opportunities to improve service to our community,” said Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker. The SS4A grant program was established by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. Since the program’s inception, the cities of Santa Cruz, Monterey , Paso Robles, and San Jose, together with Santa Cruz County , Santa Clara County, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, have received more than $28.7 million through the SS4A program. Rep. Panetta has previously secured federal investments for a new fire engine in Santa Cruz , pedestrian safety and lighting improvements along Bay Avenue in Capitola , and road safety improvements along Highways 9 and 236 in Boulder Creek . ###