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.2411.711'•4, , Wil Okabe <br /> Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim :HA*: <br /> Mayor <br /> Barbara J.Kossow <br /> t Deputy Managing Director <br /> M��- <br /> County of Anitar4,tG. <br /> @ffirr of*Agar <br /> 25 Aupum Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA' 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> March 10, 2017 <br /> Senator Rosalyn Baker <br /> Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health <br /> Hawaii State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Baker and members: <br /> RE: HB 1410, HD 2 (Part I) <br /> HB 1410, HD 2 (Part 2) <br /> Relating to Emergency Medical Services <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to express concerns about Part I of HB 1410, HD <br /> 2, and to testify against Part 2 of HB 1410, HD2. <br /> As our Fire Department has previously testified, "the State of Hawai'i's EMS <br /> system has been recognized for decades as one of the very best EMS systems in the <br /> United States. The success of the statewide EMS program is in large part due to the <br /> leadership provided by the State of Hawai'i DOH EMS Branch. The centralized <br /> leadership at the state level is extremely collaborative with EMS agencies across the <br /> state, maintains a very high standard and maintains a staff of some of the best EMS <br /> minds in the state. This continued collaboration and partnership has been critical to the <br /> continued success of Hawai'i's EMS system." <br /> The purpose clause of Part I says that "The purpose of this part is to repeal the <br /> emergency medical services special fund...and appropriate an equal dollar amount to <br /> the department of health for purposes of overseeing the state comprehensive <br /> emergency medical system with no discernable disruptions." We are concerned that <br /> this Part goes beyond its stated purpose, may jeopardize future funding of the state <br /> comprehensive emergency medical system, and may undermine the comprehensive <br /> system itself. We would therefore urge extreme caution in changing a system that "ain't <br /> broke." <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />