According to fire protection district officials, the engine arrived on the scene and correctly positioned itself so that it could protect the people responding to the snowplow crash. 

During the response, a Ford F-450 hit the fire engine head-on causing damage to the front bumper, pictured above. The driver of the Ford was taken to the hospital with injuries. No first responders were injured. 

“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.”

Previous 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.

Now, thanks to Hurricane Florence, WFD is looking at even more disruption, according to an email from Fire Chief Buddy Martinette to fire and city staff.  

Serious leaks led to mold and other damage in several WFD buildings, including living spaces for firefighters and office space for administrative staff. Emails between city staff show that sheet rock, flooring, insulation and other building materials had to be removed, and environmental experts are still monitoring air conditions in many fire department facilities.

he administrative staff at the WFD headquarters will move operations to the old location of the Register of Deeds located at the corner of 2nd Street and Grace Street. Current estimates have the relocation lasting anywhere from three to six months. The city’s information technology department has been working to outfit the building with internet and prepare it to serve the fire department’s needs.