THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

68

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL AMBULANCE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE MAKALEI AREA, KAILUA-KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII.

 

 


     WHEREAS, residents in the Makalei area of Kailua-Kona, on the Island of Hawaii would greatly benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance to augment the Hawaii county emergency medical services system; and

 

     WHEREAS, the population of this area has significantly increased over the years, which has corresponded with a steady increase in calls for emergency medical services; and

 

     WHEREAS, access to primary health care in Kailua-Kona is challenging for the community; and

 

     WHEREAS, for many residents, primary care services are as far as thirty miles away; and

 

     WHEREAS, coupled with economic and transportation challenges, emergency medical services have become the health care access point for many residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, due to the lack of resources, it has become common for paramedics to respond to as many as ten calls for emergency medical transportation during a twenty-four hour shift; and

 

     WHEREAS, the potential for fatigue resulting in errors in judgment, driving, and overall safety are of great concern for personnel and residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, a new advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors in Kailua-Kona; and

 

     WHEREAS, a timely response to a 911 call is critical to increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that this body recognizes the importance of an additional ambulance to serve residents in the Makalei area, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that timely access to urgent care in the Makalei area is vital to the health and welfare of all people in this area; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support; Ambulances