Appropriates funds for the purchase of an ambulance.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that emergency medical services are provided by the State of Hawai'i by means of contracts with the counties.

The legislature finds that the Windward Rapid Response Team provides excellent immediate care but cannot transport. When transport is needed for patients cared for by this team, the ambulance located in Kailua must leave its district to respond, assuming it is not already in use. Very often, this means that an ambulance from Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, or Honolulu is called to assist when the Kailua ambulance is occupied transporting other patients, causing a critical delay in transporting patients.

The legislature finds that the Army has announced that MEDEVAC flights will be suspended, further limiting access to emergency care for Windward residents.

To address these problems and avoid the hazard to human life and safety which might result from ambulance unavailability, the purpose of this bill is to provide funding for the acquisition of one ambulance by the City and County of Honolulu for use by the Windward Rapid Response Team.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu for the purchase of one ambulance for the Windward Rapid Response Team.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the City and County of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.