The Hawaii Fire Department welcomed the arrival of four new ambulances with a blessing held March 17 in Hilo.
The ambulances, funded by the state, will be assigned to the Central (Hilo), Keauhou, Waikoloa and Ocean View stations. They replace existing emergency vehicles that have reached the end of their life.
“When it comes to emergency services, our island deserves nothing less than the best,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a press release. “We are excited to welcome these new ambulances to our fleet and are grateful for the state Legislature for securing the necessary funds.”
Replacing aging ambulances ensures that the county’s paramedics have the reliable resources they need, said Fire Chief Kazuo Todd.
“These new ambulances represent our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical care to the people of Hawaii County,” Todd said in the release. “We are grateful for the continued support of the state and our community in strengthening our emergency response capabilities.”
The blessing was conducted by County Council Chair Holeka Inaba.
In total, the four ambulances cost about $1.2 million.
