HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – A blessing was held in Waipio this week to welcome eight new ambulances to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services fleet. These new top of the line vehicles will replace ambulances that have come to the end of their service life.

The new ambulances are Ford F350 models and customized by Leader Ambulances, a California manufacturer. At a cost of $260,000, the emergency vehicles are the first to be outfitted with a mechanical device that assists in loading large oxygen tanks into the ambulance. This new device will help to prevent back injuries amongst Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians.

“These eight new ambulances are a welcomed morale boost for our crews and long overdue to replace our aging fleet. These updated ambulances will enhance our ability to provide better care to our patients,” said Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Acting Chief Spencer Yamamoto. "The goal is too better and more effectively serve the community in times of medical emergencies.”

The eight new vehicles are replacing the ambulances at the Waianae, Salt Lake, Nānākuli, Charlie One, Pāwaʻa One, Metro One, Baker One and Waipahu stations. Honolulu EMS currently has 22 units stationed on O‘ahu to service an estimated one million residents and millions of visitors annually.