RES 045 Draft 01 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�tV •' COUNTY OF HAWAII . ��' %=-' STATE OF HAWAII '1TE''Mp':. RESOLUTION NO. 45 17 A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR AN ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT AMBULANCE, NECESSARY EQUIPMENT, AND STAFFING FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUNA. WHEREAS, the district of Puna is among the fastest growing districts in the State, with a population of more than 45,000 that is projected to surge to over 75,000 in a mere 15 years; and WHEREAS, the district of Puna is geographically immense, with many miles of unpaved roads, unimproved roads, and private roads; and WHEREAS, the district of Puna has recently been greatly impacted by natural disasters which have reached our shores and by lava flows that continue to devastate our lands and threaten communities; and WHEREAS, over the past five years, there have been approximately 180 emergency medical services incidents per month within the Puna district, placing an enormous burden on the three ambulances that currently serve the district; and WHEREAS, the district of Puna has such serious economic and transportation challenges that the Hawai`i Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service providers have become the access point for health care and medical services for many area residents; and WHEREAS, the addition of an advanced life support ambulance in Puna along with funding for necessary equipment and personnel costs will immediately and significantly improve access to emergency health care, reduce response time, and save lives; and WHEREAS, State and County officials must act immediately and cooperatively to provide much needed emergency services to the district of Puna; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the Hawai`i State Legislature is urged to support funding for an advanced life support ambulance as well as necessary equipment and staffing for the district of Puna. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i County Council supports all efforts by the Legislature to improve access to emergency health care for residents and visitors of Hawai`i Island.