Council to support AMR as the contractor for emergency medical services

“The council and the community are very concerned about this contract,” said Council Chair Alice Lee. “AMR has performed very well for the past 44 years, as they demonstrated in their response to the wildfires. They know our community and our needs. We do not want services to be cut, nor do we want a contractor who has under-performed in other communities.” PHOTO BY SUSAN HALAS.
WAILUKU — On Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, the Maui County Council will consider a resolution that urges the State Department of Health to continue contracting Maui County’s emergency medical response services with American Medical Response (AMR).
The resolution was introduced by Council Chair Alice L. Lee and is expected to be adopted at the Oct. 6 meeting.
As stated in Resolution No. 23-201 (https://mauicounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12284897&GUID=BB2D44B0-B223-4BE7-91A1-F6079BDDD77D), AMR has provided emergency medical services for Maui County for the past 44 years. On Aug. 29, Falck Northwest Corporation was awarded the contract, the scope for which did not include advanced-life support coverage. AMR’s standard has been for ambulances to carry at least one paramedic and be able to provide advanced-life support, which proved to be critical in their response to the Aug. 8 wildfires. Additionally, media reports have stated that Falck has apparently failed to meet response times under its contracts in California and been subject to substantial fines.
The Oct. 6 meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be held in the Council Chamber on the eighth floor of the Kalana O Maui Building at 200 South High St. in Wailuku, as well as online at https://maui.bluejeans.com/295235670.
The meeting agenda can be found at https://mauicounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1119961&GUID=334BE9B7-518B-497F-AF32-AA3475C7F4D9.
For more information, e-mail the Office of Council Services at media@mauicounty.us.