“It’s about customer service and being able to provide care for people in a timely manner,” Battalion Chief Greg Lloyd said. “Customer service is not only getting somebody quickly, but also getting somebody at their best. And when you run an engine crew 15-20 times (a day) over and over and over again, that has an effect on people. They’re tired. Our crews do great, but we don’t want people to get to a point where fatigue starts to affect the quality of service.”
Medic 1 and the six paramedics being hired are paid for by money from Measure U, a 1-cent sales tax increase approved by Hemet voters in 2016 that is expected to raise $10 million annually. City Council members have said they plan to use the money for public safety.