HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0999.000 2006-2008
tV OF
Harry Kim ~c~~ William Takaba
Mayor Director
Nancy E. Crawford
e••~.` Deputy Director
•'•~.o'.M':FI
County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupum Street, Room 118 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 961-8234 • Fax (808) 961-8248 17
January 31, 2008 80 '
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Pete Hoffmann, Chairman and < ' cn
Members of the Hawai'i County Council
Hawai'i County Council ~
25 Aupuni Street : FTi
ti c o
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 0
CID
Re: Hawai'i Fire Department Donation
Enclosed is a resolution accepting a monetary donation of $500 from Ms. Sara Schuff,
520 N Street SW, Washington D.C. 20024. On January 6, 2008, Ms. Schuff
experienced a pulmonary embolism while snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach in Kona. The
life-saving care she received from Water Safety Officer Sean Gallagher was vital for her
favorable outcome. In appreciation of these services, she is donating $500 to support
the Ocean Safety program, under the Hawai'i Fire Department.
Also enclosed is a bill for an ordinance amending the Operating Budget by appropriating
the $500 into the Hawai'i Fire Department's Miscellaneous Private Contributions
account.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Hawai'i Fire Department.
William Takaba
Director of Finance
APPROVED:
3441
Harry Kim
CSI Mayor Comm. No. CIQ9
Ref. To 1r G
Enc. Ref. Dote EB L6
1008
cc: Fire
J 4 Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Form B-52
7/18/91
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
DEPARTMENT: FIRE DATE: 01/29/08
STAFF CONTACT: Gerald Makino PHONE: 981-8350
A. REQUEST:
Prepare a lettter of appreciation to accept a monetary gift of $500.00 from: Ms. Sara (Sally) Schuff, 520 N
Street SW, Washington, DC 20024.
Prepare a complementary ordinance as follows:
3607.13 Fire Dept. Private Contributions $500.00
010.221.5228.99.235 Fire-Private Contributions OCE - Misc. M&S $500.00
B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED):
Ms. Sally Schuff (aka Sara H. Schuff), experienced a pulmonary embolism while snorkeling at Kahalu'u
Beach in Kona on Sunday, January 6 2008. She received life-saving care from Water Safety Officer, Sean
Gallagher. In appreciation of these services, which were vital for her favorable outcome, she donated a sum
of $500.00 to support the Ocean Safety program. See attached letter. Sean Gallager is employed as a
Water Safety Officer in the Ocean Safety Division of the Hawaii Fire Department.
4
SIGNED: jq__A~' DATE: 01/29/08
Department Head
Sally Schuff I
520 N Street SW 2085 JAM 5 PH 2' 14
Washington, D.C. 20024
Jan. 23, 2008
Fire Chief Clint Coloma
Hawaii Fire Department
Special Operations/Ocean Safety
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chief Coloma:
I am writing to you of my deep gratitude for the work of your lifeguard, Sean
Gallagher, whose quick action on Jan. 6 is credited with saving my life.
I had a pulmonary embolism while snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach on Sunday, Jan.
6. But I did not know I was in grave danger. Thankfully, Sean recognized I was in trouble
as I struggled to get out of the water. Even though I was walking - but wobbly - he
intervened immediately with a calm and professional insistence that I might need medical
aid. As soon as he heard the fluid on my lungs (even I could hear the bubbling), Sean
acted quickly to get me on oxygen and summon paramedics. Dr. Stephen Denzer at Kona
Community Hospital told me frankly, "the lifeguard saved your life."
The image of Sean on the beach that day will remain with me the rest of my life,
and my gratitude is deep. Although I could tell something was wrong, I thought it was
something that would soon pass - perhaps a heart palpitation from the exercise. I would
have pretended that I was OK so as not to ruin my friends' day. But, Sean with his
medical training, simply wasn't buying my protestations.
I spent a week in the Kona Community Hospital with outstanding medical care
front Dr. Dawes in the emergency room and Dr. Denzer, the hospitalist. They were
dogged in their pursuit of a diagnosis, which resulted is immediate and excellent
treatment. The nursing staff surrounded me with safety and kindness. I am now back at
my home in Washington D.C. and expected to make a full recovery.
It is really hard to put in words how grateful I am to Sean, to the medical and
nursing staff at the Kona Hospital, and to the Aloha spirit of Hawaii, which seems to lift
up even strangers on their first visit to your beautiful island.
As a small token of my thanks I am enclosing a $500 donation to your fire
department in honor of Sean Gallagher. I hope it will be of use in the work your
lifeguards do to save lives.
Very cordiall ,
Sally Sch
(aka Sara
/y EH. Schuff) Copy to: Sean Gallagher
~O ~ I