Bill Text: HI HB851 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Puna; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2015-05-01 - Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-15 at 2:00PM in Conference Room 229. [HB851 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HB851-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
851 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Puna community residents on the island of Hawaii are in great need of an additional advanced life support ambulance to augment the current Hawaii county fire department's emergency medical services system. Puna has become the fastest growing district in the State, with a current population of more than forty-five thousand individuals and a projected population to surge to approximately seventy-five thousand individuals within the next fifteen years. Because of the economic and transportation challenges of the Puna community, the Hawaii county fire department's emergency medical services has become the access point for health care to many in Puna.
Recent analysis of Hawaii county fire department data shows that there have been approximately one hundred eighty emergency medical services incidents per month over the past five years within that area.
Currently, the Hawaii county fire department has three ambulances based at the Keaau and Pahoa fire stations, including an emergency medical services unit located at the Pahoa village fire station, which was created in anticipation of the impending lava flow inundation area.
The legislature finds that the ongoing lava flow has exacerbated the need to serve the nearly ten thousand residents within the projected impact area. Critical transportation infrastructure continues to be affected, which will result in delayed emergency medical care for the residents of Puna if additional resources are not provided. The travel time to Hilo, once the flow crosses Highway 130, is expected to increase from the current average of thirty minutes to two hours.
The legislature further finds that an additional advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors on the island of Hawaii. A timely response to a 911 call is critical to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish an advanced life support ambulance to be based in Puna on the island of Hawaii, including through acquiring a vehicle and equipment and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the emergency medical services special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 to establish an advanced life support ambulance based in Puna on the island of Hawaii, including acquisition of a vehicle and equipment and personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Puna; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to establish an advanced life support ambulance to be based in Puna on the island of Hawaii, including the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment and personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel. (HB851 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
