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Committee forwards $1.75 million state EMS grant to open ambulance service in Kona
Summary
The committee voted to forward bill 108, accepting $1,750,000 in state EMS grant funding to open ambulance operations at the Makale Fire Station in Kailua‑Kona, including six new positions; Hawaii Fire Department projected a 25% call‑volume reduction to the existing Kona medic unit.
The Hawaii County Finance Committee voted to forward bill 108 with a favorable recommendation after a brief presentation by the county fire department.
A battalion chief from the Hawaii Fire Department’s EMS branch described the grant and operational plan: the state emergency medical services account would provide $1,750,000 and the appropriation was itemized as $749,000 for salaries and wages, $90,000 for other current expenses and $911,000 for equipment. The funds are intended to support the opening of ambulance operations at the Makale Fire Station in Kailua‑Kona and the hiring of six new positions.
The battalion chief said adding ambulance service on the Kona side should "reduce the call volume to medic 7 or the Kailua Kona ambulance by 25%" and increase prehospital advanced life‑support availability across the region. Councilmembers thanked fire staff and state legislators for securing the funding; no substantive opposition was raised in committee.
Procedurally, the committee moved bill 108 forward to full council with a favorable recommendation; the clerk recorded eight votes in favor and one absence. The measure will appear on the council agenda for final action and, if adopted, will require hiring and procurement steps coordinated by the Fire Department.
