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Harry Kim <br />.%/ayor <br />Wil Okabe <br />A lanagmg Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 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 />February 21 2018 <br />Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair <br />Committee on Ways and Means <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agara Vice -Chair <br />Committee on Ways and Means <br />Hawaii State Capito oom 211 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice -Chair Keith-Agaran and Com thee Members: <br />Re: SB 2658 Relating to Ambulances for Kauai and Hawaii County <br />Hearing Dat 2/23/18 — 11:00 am; Conference Room 211 <br />• <br />Thank you for this opportunity to support funding for two new, much needed, <br />ambulances, one each for Hawai i and Kauai. <br />Although 1 recognize that these units are not inexpensive, the justification for additional <br />funding is strong. For example: <br />1. The population of Hawaii County has been rapidly increasing, but no <br />additional ambulances have been authorized since 2005. <br />2. The OF's EMS Provider group has identified Kauai and Hawaii County as <br />the areas of highest need. <br />3. The mandated DOH response time (20 minutes) for the District of Puna has <br />been determined to be unmet between 16% - 39% of the time, and I <br />understand that Kauai statistics are similar. Adding an additional ambulance <br />unit ane personnel resources for each County obviously would improve those <br />response times. <br />Please help us provide these life-saving resources for our communities, by passing SB <br />2658 with appropriate dollar amounts inserted. <br />Re pectf ly submitted, <br />Harry Kim <br />ayor County of Hawaii <br />County of 1 lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />