Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Council reappoints Dr. James Ireland as Emergency Services director amid staff complaints and billing concerns
Summary
The Honolulu City Council confirmed James A. Ireland MD as director of the Emergency Services Department after public testimony both supporting and opposing the reappointment and council discussion about workplace culture, billing failures and staffing. Councilmember Okimoto recorded reservations at the time of the vote.
The Honolulu City Council on a recorded vote confirmed James A. Ireland MD as director of the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department, adopting Committee Report 137 and Resolution 25‑11.
The reappointment drew praise for recent operational gains and new ambulances, and criticism from current and former EMS personnel who raised long-standing morale and billing problems. Supporters highlighted lower vacancy counts and new equipment; critics urged structural change and stronger administrative oversight.
Ireland told the council that the department’s vacancy level had improved and training academies are scheduled: “Our personnel is at the lowest vacancy rate…we're under 15 vacancies in EMS with a dispatch academy starting in June and an EMT academy starting in…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
