20-05-2025
Honolulu mayor declares Emergency Medical Services week
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Mayor Rick Blangiardi declared May 18 to May 24 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Honolulu. The day honors the critical role of the island's paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
'On behalf of the entire City and County of Honolulu, mahalo to the members of our dedicated and highly-skilled EMS ʻohana,' Blangiardi said. 'The way you handle the high call volumes and high stakes with unwavering focus is inspiring and your efforts do not go unnoticed. Please know your selflessness in responding to emergencies and saving the lives of our resident and visitors alike, is nothing short of heroic. Bravo!'
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This year is the 51st anniversary of National EMS Week, with the national theme of 'We Care. For Everyone.' Officials said the theme reflects the legacy of EMS practitioners and their commitment to bettering communities.
'Our paramedics and EMTs are dedicated to a very difficult career. Every shift they show up, not knowing who will need their care,' Jim Ireland, director of the Honolulu EMS said. 'They are incredibly brave, and we appreciate everything they do for our island's sick and injured.'
Ireland said now that the effects of the COVID pandemic are not as widely felt, EMS has seen an influx of calls.'We're having record-breaking call volume now that COVID is over. People are out enjoying themselves. We've got visitors back, and we're adding to the fleet and hiring as quickly as we can,' he said.
The recognition feels extra rewarding for EMS workers, such as Kevin Twomey, who is Honolulu's EMS Week Hero.
'Everybody works so hard, everyday that we go to work we're thrust into countless situations where we need to make a difference,' Twomey said. 'And what I try to focus on is that it's going to be a positive difference for the people that we're contacting.'
According to Honolulu EMS, they responded to more than 106,000 911 calls last year and administered advanced medical care to more than 89,000 patients.
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