Teacher is among thousands EMS aided

To wrap up National Emergency Medical Services Week, city officials held a news conference Friday to stress the impact of EMS on Oahu.

In 2016 Honolulu EMS dispatchers answered more than 108,000 911 calls and responded to 86,000 medical emergencies, said Lorrin Okumura, EMS assistant chief of support services. But with nearly 1 million Oahu residents and only 20 EMS units, Okumura said it is important that paramedics and emergency medical technicians be called only during medical emergencies.

“We encourage the public to continue to dial 911 if they are in need of needed medical assistance,” Okumura said. “EMS will be there to treat your medical emergencies. Cardiac arrests, strokes, imminent births, breathing problems, traumatic injuries, altered levels of consciousness and fractures are some medical emergencies, just to name a few.”

Peter Kealoha, a special-education teacher, suffered a cardiac arrest last month during dinner at a restaurant with family and friends, and for the first time Friday met the good Samaritan who came to his aid until paramedics arrived.

Kealoha was able to say thank you to Sean Malinger for performing CPR, and to paramedic Marie Hathaway Yoshikawa, who delivered lifesaving medications.

“I’m so grateful to all of you who have brought me back from the brink of death to where I am today,” Kea-loha said. “I have my life back now. Each day is a gift and I will not waste it, and I will try the best to pay it forward.”

A public service announcement to promote Honolulu EMS was released at the news conference and will air on local television stations.