The state Health Department is rejecting the idea of merging the city’s fire and emergency medical services operations as spelled out in a study that’s been mired in controversy.

"It is our conclusion that (the Honolulu Fire Department) has not yet demonstrated the suitability of taking on the EMS medical mission for the City and County of Honolulu," Health Director Loretta Fuddy said in a letter to Mayor Peter Carlisle today.

Approval by the Health Department is necessary since the state contracts with the city to provide emergency medical services for the public on Oahu. Any changes to how services are provided would need to be approved by the Health Department.

The 2010 study recommending the merger is at the center of an investigation being conducted by the city Ethics Commission.  Commission Chairman Chuck Totto said the investigation centers around the selection of the company which conducted the study, Emergency Services Consulting International.