HAWAIʻI COUNTY HOLDS BLESSING FOR FIVE NEW AMBULANCES 

Hawaiʻi County officials gathered this morning at the County Building in Hilo to bless five new ambulances that will be immediately added online to replace older vehicles across the island. The blessing was the second of the year, adding seven total new ambulances to Hawaiʻi County’s fleet in 2023. Hawaiʻi County has 16 ambulance stations on the island, with the oldest active ambulance having been online for approximately 12 years. The new ambulances come equipped with additional safety features and cost roughly $250,000 each.

“Hawaiʻi County has the most qualified and highly-skilled first responders in the state, and as administrators, it’s our job to ensure that we provide them with the tools necessary to perform their duties and save resident lives,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “We will continue to invest in the health and safety of our community and are committed to the maintenance and upkeep of our emergency service vehicles, programs, equipment, and personnel.”

Further, Mayor Roth is proposing an additional $1.2 million in the FY2023-24 budget to bolster Hawaiʻi County’s ambulance replacement program. Later this year, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department will replace chopper 2, an emergency rescue helicopter that has been in service for over 30 years. The County has also secured an additional $200,000 from the State to replace and procure much-needed life safety equipment for the Water Safety Division.