HI HB90

Establishes an emergency response vehicle noise task force within the Department of Health to examine the use and effectiveness of lights and sirens by emergency response vehicles.

Task force shall evaluate the impact of sirens at night on communities surrounding emergency response facilities in urban and rural areas, and compare the effectiveness of using lights alone versus lights and sirens at night for public and first responder safety.

Task force consists of ten members including the Director of Health (chair), neighborhood board member, neighbor island resident, Level II trauma center representative, police and fire department representatives from each county, EMS personnel representative, and representatives from the blind and deaf communities.

Task force shall submit written reports with findings and recommendations to the legislature and county councils no later than twenty days before each regular legislative session, beginning with the 2014 session.

Members are uncompensated but reimbursed for necessary expenses; the Department of Health provides administrative and technical support; task force meets at least biannually beginning in 2013.