Employees will be paid at their regular pay rate during their breaks.
Backers said it could potentially reduce ambulance response times to life-threatening emergencies, by allowing crews to be routed to a nearby call, even if they are "on break."
Supporters also believe local governments will save tens of millions of dollars each year by lowering the cost of emergency ambulance (EMS) costs.
Major supporters included American Medical Response (AMR) (A Major Private Ambulance operator, contracts with several cities & counties statewide), Californians for Emergency Preparedness & Safety.