New business seeks to help first responders unwind

1st Responders Chill Time Chief Executive Officer George Mateu plans to take first responders to Costa Rica in December.
1st Responders Chill Time Chief Executive Officer George Mateu plans to take first responders to Costa Rica in December.
photo 1st Responders Chill Time Chief Executive Officer George Mateu is putting together a trip to Costa Rica for first responders.

Entrepreneur George Mateu is creating a new kind of stress relief option for firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians.

His new business, 1st Responders Chill Time, takes first responders on trips to Costa Rica, the Florida Keys and Cuba. He already has a trip to Costa Rica planned for December.

"We will go on a Arenal Volcano tour, we will go whale watching in Bahia Ballena, and we will go whitewater rafting," said Mateu, who immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. in 1965 at age 13. The 64-year-old moved to Chattanooga six months ago. "Fishing in Costa Rica it's just gorgeous. Whales from the South Pole and North Pole meet at Bahia Ballena Whale Bay and they breed there."

Mateu said he's trying to keep the cost per first responder to under $1,000 for the seven-day trip.

Proceeds will go to St. Jude Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project.

"Our purpose is to be a stress-release program for emergency first responders," Mateu said. "We make your vacation a world-class experience. With a variety of services and tours to choose from, we're sure you'll be happy working with us."

Mateu lived in Costa Rica for several years, he said, and spent a long time in South Florida.

"It's a beautiful country. In Costa Rica, its mountains are beautiful like here. That's why I love it in Chattanooga," he said.

More than just sharing the popular Central American country with others, he wants to help protect it much in the same way the firefighters he's looking to serve protect the homes, businesses and lives of local residents.

"Every six months my company would like to buy fire equipment for a small town in Costa Rica that does not have fire prevention, because Costa Rica happens to be the No. 3 ecological destination in the world," Mateu said. "With your support, we will drive a responsible business campaign on the donation of firetrucks to better respond to our dry-season fires in Costa Rica."

Prior to launching 1st Responders Chill Time, Mateu ran a charter bus operation, and is now offering a different kind of charter service - again, for first responders.

"If you are first responder, if you need transportation for any vehicle in the United States, I provide the services to transport them to wherever they buy it. I will go pick up a vehicle for them and drive it to them," he said of his Mr. Bus Man International Enterprises.

To learn more about 1st Responders Chill Time, visit 1stresponderschilltime.com.

To learn more about Mr. Bus Man International Enterprises, visit uship.com/profile/mrbusman33.

Contact Katie Ward at kward@timesfreepress.com or 757-6425.

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