In June, Grass Valley's voters approved Measure E, an ongoing 1 percent sales tax expected to raise approximately $5.4 million annually.
Thanks to that funding, Grass Valley Fire Chief Mark Buttron told the city council earlier this month, his department is going to be able to hire four new firefighter paramedic positions.
"This is tremendous — it's the pinnacle of pre-hospital care," he said. "It's all thanks to the generosity of the community."
Currently, Buttron said, the fire department is able to provide "basic life support." Because Grass Valley has not yet acquired the approval to operate a paramedic service through Sierra-Sacramento Valley EMS Agency, two firefighters on staff who already have paramedic certification can only work as advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, he explained.
A first responder who provides basic life support can take baseline vitals and provide oxygen, as well as comfort measures, Buttron said. A paramedic can start an IV line and provide some medications.