Honolulu EMS leaders say no ambulance units will be shut down in January. In 2026, Oahu will see more staff and frontline vehicles. The overhaul includes pay raises, new hiring, and a refreshed fleet so paramedics can focus on serious calls while basic life-support units handle lower-acuity runs. City officials say the changes address rising 911 demand and unreliable vehicles.
What the overhaul will look like
EMS Director Dr. Jim Ireland has made it plain: the previously discussed ambulance closures are “not happening.” Instead, the department plans a reshuffle that leans into more daytime basic life-support ambulances, a 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule for many crews, and the launch of rapid-response SUVs, often called “fly cars.” As KHON2 reports,…..