Bill Text: HI SB820 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 820 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Health.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB820 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB820-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	820
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

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 geographic, 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. The progressive increase in population has led to a thirty-seven per cent increase in 911 emergency medical services calls over the past eight years.

Recent analysis of Hawaii county fire department data shows that there have been approximately four hundred seventy-six emergency medical services incidents per month in the district of Puna. Due to long response and transport times, a single emergency response call may take over two hours to complete; it has become common for paramedics to have ten or more incident transports in one twenty-four hour shift, potentially resulting in twenty hours or more of continuous work within one twenty-four hour period. The potential for fatigue resulting in errors in judgment, driving, and overall safety are of great concern for personnel and residents.

The legislature further finds that a new 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. Given the island's significant growth and aging population, an advanced life support ambulance is needed and will be cost-effective.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for an advanced life support ambulance to be based out of the Pahoa fire station in the Puna area on the island of Hawaii, including the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment, and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for an advanced life support ambulance to be based at the Pahoa fire station in Puna on the island of Hawaii, including the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment, and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.

The sums 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, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Puna; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for an advanced life support ambulance to be based at the Pahoa fire station in Puna on the island of Hawaii, including the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment, and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.