City Paramedics, EMTs honored for saving lives during National EMS Week

Today, on the steps of Honolulu Hale, Mayor Rick Blangiardi proclaimed May 16th-22nd, as National Emergency Medical Services Week. Mayor Blangiardi recognized the city’s Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) for their life-saving work, their sacrifices to their own safety and health and their commitment to making our island safer.

Mayor Blangiardi, with City Councilmembers Augie Tulba, Calvin Say and Carol Fukunaga announced Ewa Beach and Makiki units are increasing emergency response hours from 12-hours to 24-hours. Currently the two units are only operating from noon-midnight. All of the other 19 EMS units operated on Oahu are operating 24-hours, 365 days a year. 

“Expanding emergency medical services to around the clock operations makes sense and should help our residents rest easier knowing professional emergency care is available day and night,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our paramedics and EMT’s work tirelessly saving the lives of our family members, friends and neighbors, every single day. It is difficult work responding to emergencies and life threatening situations and I am extremely grateful for their commitment to the community.”

“We had to make it a priority to get these two communities 24-hour Emergency Medical Services. We know the people of Ewa Beach and Makiki will be that much safer because of it,” said Honolulu Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland.

In 2020, Makiki responded to 3,510 911 calls and Ewa Beach responded to 2,357 within their daily 12-hour shifts. 

“Getting EMS professionals quicker to someone in a medical emergency can make all the difference between life and death. With personnel available 24-hours in this ever growing community of West Oahu, we are grateful to boost safety in our community,” said Honolulu City Councilmember Augie Tulba.

The new 24-hour units will begin service July 4, 2021.