WHEREAS, emergency medical services are a critical public service that must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and capable of responding in a timely manner when requested; and

WHEREAS, medical research has demonstrated that the rapid response and transport of patients to an appropriate medical facility improves patient survival from life-threatening medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association guideline for cardiopulmonary-arrest victims recommends a basic life support response in 4 to 6 minutes and an advanced life support within 8 to 10 minutes; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH), which is responsible for the administration and maintenance of a comprehensive emergency medical services system, has established a response guideline for suburban and rural areas, which includes the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas, as 10 to 15 minutes; and

WHEREAS, the nearest emergency ambulance units are located in Waipahu and Wahiawa; and

WHEREAS, 2,277 calls, with a response time of 13.10 to 13.5 minutes, were fielded for the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas; and

WHEREAS, the population is projected to increase drastically with the addition of 18,000 new housing units in the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas; and

WHEREAS, the level of emergency medical services is reduced when the ambulance units serving the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas are dispatched to other areas; and

WHEREAS, the Mililani/Waipio Neighborhood Board and adjacent neighborhood boards requested a permanent placement of an emergency medical service unit in the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that DOH is requested to conduct a study to examine the need for, costs of, and placement of a permanent emergency medical services hub and ambulance unit in the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas on the island of Oahu; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH is requested to complete the study and submit the findings and recommendations of the study to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of DOH.

Report Title:

Requesting DOH to conduct a study on the placement of a permanent medical services hub and ambulance unit in the Mililani and Waipio Gentry areas on Oahu.