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(10) Large-scale emergencies require coordinated response. The County should coordinate <br />with State, federal, and inter -island partners to strengthen mutual aid, resource sharing, and <br />unified response during major disasters and islandwide or statewide emergencies. <br />Section 4-3-2. Actions. <br />(a) Maintain staffing, facilities, and equipment for islandwide law enforcement services. <br />The police department shall maintain the personnel, facilities, and equipment necessary to <br />provide law enforcement services throughout Hawaii Island. <br />(b) Maintain staffing, stations, and apparatus for fire and emergency response. The fire <br />department shall maintain the staffing, stations, and equipment needed to provide fire <br />suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services throughout Hawaii Island. <br />(c) Regularly evaluate service coverage and future needs. The police department and fire <br />department shall regularly assess service areas and identify facility, staffing, and equipment <br />needs based on population changes, development patterns, and risk factors. <br />(d) Strengthen partnerships between public safety agencies and communities. The police <br />department, fire department, and civil defense agency shall implement community -based <br />programs that support safety education, prevention, and coordination with residents and <br />organizations. <br />(e) Plan and prioritize capital improvements for public safety facilities. The department of <br />public works shall coordinate with public safety departments to plan and prioritize capital <br />improvements for stations and related facilities to support effective operations. <br />(f) Maintain prevention programs to reduce safety risks. The fire department shall operate <br />inspection and prevention programs that address fire and life -safety hazards. <br />(g) Maintain clear planning and coordination for emergency operations. The civil defense <br />agency shall maintain emergency operations plans and coordinate County emergency <br />management activities. <br />(h) Maintain reliable communications systems for emergency operations. The police <br />department, fire department, and civil defense agency shall maintain communication <br />systems needed to support coordinated emergency response. <br />Article 4. Natural Hazards. <br />Section 4-4-1. Policies. <br />(1) Protecting life and critical infrastructure is a core public responsibility. The County <br />should protect life, property, and critical infrastructure from avoidable exposure to natural <br />hazards through coordinated planning, investment, and mitigation. <br />(2) Growth should avoid areas of highest hazard risk where feasible. Land use decisions <br />should direct growth away from areas subject to significant risk from flooding, coastal <br />29 <br />