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Committee postpones decision on reappointing HESD director after critical public testimony
Summary
The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services postponed action on the mayor’s nomination of Dr. James Ireland as director of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department after multiple current and former EMS personnel criticized leadership, staffing and morale; the committee chair said budget and billing documents will be reviewed.
The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on Feb. 13 postponed action on the nomination of Dr. James Ireland as director of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department after more than a dozen current and former EMS personnel testified against his reappointment.
Former and current EMS staff told the committee they have deep concerns about unit closures, staffing and morale. Laurie Grace, who described herself as having 33 years in EMS, told the committee she “firmly oppose[d] the reappointment of Dr. Ireland,” saying the department had “deteriorated significantly” under current leadership and that daily closures,…
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