HI HB1616

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2018-2019 to acquire one advanced life support ambulance for the Puna district on the island of Hawaii.

Ambulance shall be based in Puna and operated during daily peak hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., including vehicle, equipment, and state-certified emergency medical service personnel costs.

Addresses the need for improved emergency medical services in Puna, which experiences over 5,000 emergency calls per year with response times averaging nearly two hours round-trip.

Aims to reduce burden on Hilo ambulances that currently travel over thirty miles to respond to Puna emergencies, sometimes on substandard unpaved roads.

Effective date is July 1, 3000 (note: this appears to be a clerical error in the bill).