Council committee reports Jim Irelands reappointment as emergency services director amid mixed testimony

The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on April 3 reported out Resolution 20511 confirming Dr. James H.E. Ireland to continue as director of the Department of Emergency Services for the City and County of Honolulu after public testimony that included both strong endorsements and firm opposition.

Ireland, who appeared as director-designate, described operational pressures on the system, including high unit-hour utilization (UHU), staffing shortages and plans to add ambulances. He said the department has a current overall UHU of about 0.6, that some town-area units are at a UHU of 1 (roughly one call per hour), and that industry standards generally target roughly 0.3–0.4. He told the committee EMS handles about 110,000 calls a year and that achieving an ideal UHU of 0.35–0.4 would likely require approximately 30–38 additional ambulances beyond the department's existing 23.

Ireland said 18 new ambulances were ordered, with 13 already en route, and that the department had 40 vacancies in 2024 and about 30 in 2025; hiring since then left 11 vacancies. He said nine people will start a dispatch academy in June and 25 will enter an EMT academy in July. Ireland also reported anticipated annual billing revenue of about $40 million, roughly matching the department's $40 million budget.

Public testimony included multiple perspectives: paramedic Sonia Austin, AMR director Speedy Bailey, Governor Green and several community leaders offered strong support, citing Ireland's operational experience, community engagement and role in homelessness-response programs. Opponents and several current and former EMS employees, including Laurie Grace, Edward Fujioka and former acting chief Chris Sloman, urged the council to oppose reappointment, citing persistent unit closures, low morale, workplace complaints and equipment and maintenance problems.

Council members and the chair acknowledged both Ireland's strengths and the long-running operational issues within EMS. The chair noted the administration has proposed a task force to study a potential merger of EMS into the Honolulu Fire Department and referenced a prior resolution (204272) urging that study. After discussion, the chair recommended reporting Resolution 20511 out for adoption "noting the chair's reservations"; no other committee objections were recorded and the item was reported out for action by the full council.

"We have such a great department in emergency services," Ireland said at the hearing, briefing members on staffing and unit needs. "We do utilize American Medical Response. We utilize our federal fire department partners. But still far short of the approximately 35 ambulances we need in the system."