Hemet is launching a counteroffensive in its effort to eliminate its fire department.
The city, which wants to do away with the 106-year-old department and begin contracting with Riverside County for its fire and paramedic services, is using newspapers and the U.S. Mail to take its case to the public, according to a report in The Press-Enterprise.
Hemet officials purchased a half-page advertisement that ran in Sunday’s Press-Enterprise, and it will buy ads in two other local publications. It will also send out mailers to Hemet property owner at a cost of more than $20,000, according to the report.
All of that money will come from the city’s general fund.
Earlier this month, the city council voted 3-2 to contract with Riverside County for fire protection and paramedic service. That change, which is set to take effect July 1, was designed to save money and depends on the city reaching an agreement with the Hemet Firefighters Association, according to the report.