HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 045 Draft 01 2016-2018 �tV •'
COUNTY OF HAWAII .
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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.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Senator Jill N. Tokuda, the Honorable Senator Donovan M. Dela
Cruz, the Honorable Representative Sylvia Luke, the Honorable Representative Ty J.K. Cullen,
the Honorable Representative Della Au Belatti, and the Honorable Representative Bertrand
Kobayashi.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 25th day of January , 2017 .
INTRODUCED BY:
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COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG X
DAVID X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANUHA
County of Hawaii on January 25, 2017 X
LEE LOY X
O'HARA X
ATTEST: POINDEXTER X
# . RICHARDS X
RUGGLES X
Av ,_ 9-4-'1-1(X67\--) 9 0 0 0
Reference: C-58/Waived GREDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON& PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 45 17
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