The Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act of 1972 formally recognized the need for rapid delivery of advanced cardiac life support measures to the public. Pilot studies showed that the fire service was the most effective vehicle to implement this program due to the time-sensitive nature of medical emergencies. The program provided an excellent opportunity to improve the Fire District’s role as a public safety provider. Three firefighters were sent to Loma Linda Medical Center for paramedic training in the summer of 1975, and three additional firefighters graduated in the fall of 1975. The completion of paramedic training allowed the Fire District to operate a two-person rescue squad that responded to all rescue calls and added to the number of personnel dispatched to structural fires. On August 1, 1975, the Chino Fire District became the first fire department to offer 24-hour paramedic service to western San Bernardino County.