SAN BERNARDINO — A new type of emergency personnel wearing blue helmets will be added to the ranks of the San Bernardino County Fire Department as the department’s first class of Ambulance Operator Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians comes into the department.

County Fire officials say the program is the first of its kind and is designed to increase staffing levels by putting licensed medical responders in the field so that firefighters can return to service.

“(SBCFD) is the second largest provider of paramedic ambulance transport in the county, with response to over 47,700 emergency medical calls last year,” Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said in a news release. “The Ambulance Operator Program is a more effective use of our resources and will greatly benefit our outlying communities.”

Firefighter Paramedics and EMTs currently respond to medical service calls, and with the increase in wait time at hospital emergency rooms it is not uncommon for firefighter paramedics to spend extended time at a hospital caring for a patient while waiting for the ER to take over patient care. This program will allow for these firefighters to return to the firefighting field and be readily available to respond to fires, rescues and traffic collisions.

Forty-two Ambulance Operators will start serving their communities on Oct. 11, according to the release, including stations in Lucerne Valley, Phelan/Pinon Hills and Wrightwood.

Officials say funding for this program is provided through the department’s current budget and at no additional cost to taxpayers.