FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          January 10, 2007

Release ESD-01-07

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OPENS

NEW DISPATCH CENTER

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department and a host of private partners celebrated the opening of the Emergency Medical Services Division’s new dispatch center yesterday (January 9, 2007).

Two years in the making, the new dispatch center is a collaborative effort of federal, state and City government as well as Hawaiian Telcom, Pacific Wireless Communications and the Airport Industrial Park Associates. The Emergency Medical Services Division utilized over $1 million of federal grant money to finalize completion of the new center. In addition, the state Department of Health contributed $180,000. 

          “The Emergency Medical Services Division and its personnel play an integral and vital role in our community”, said Mayor Hannemann.  “I like the fact that the new system allows our EMS people to have direct interoperable communications with other agencies and first responders on Oahu.”

The new dispatch center, replacing one that had been in use for 12 years, comes on line at the right time. The EMS Division handled more than 80,000 calls last year, with more than 67,000 of those calls resulting in patients needing medical attention. The new center has an independent power source and back-up power to ensure continuity. It also has direct hotlines to the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, Oahu Civil Defense Agency and Airport Ramp Control.

                    “With our new communications system our Emergency Medical dispatchers now have the latest equipment to be that much more efficient and effective”, said Emergency Medical Services Chief Patricia J. Dukes.  “It’s an essential tool for maintaining the high level of care we provide the people of Oahu.”

                    The Honolulu Emergency Services Department consists of the Emergency Medical Services Division, which provides ambulance services on Oahu, and the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, whose water safety officers protect beachgoers at City beaches.

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Contact:

          Bryan Cheplic, HESD Public Information Officer, 723-7814