Bill > HCR102

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Mayor and City Council of Honolulu to establish a distinct department for the city's ocean safety and lifeguard services, separating it from the current Department of Emergency Services. The resolution highlights that the Mayor has the authority to propose such reorganizations for administrative efficiency, and that a previous resolution in 2021 already expressed support for this separation. It emphasizes the significant responsibilities of Ocean Safety, which covers 198 miles of coastline and serves millions of beachgoers annually with rescues, medical treatment, and prevention efforts. The resolution also notes that the Department of Emergency Services currently includes Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Ocean Safety, and that changes in EMS funding and workload, along with the state's reimbursement policies, suggest that creating a separate department for Ocean Safety would allow for better autonomy in its budget and operations, ultimately serving the needs of its employees more effectively.