By Bill Carey
EMS1
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating a Honolulu Emergency Medical Services ambulance fire as EMS officials deal with an increase in fear and anxiety among personnel, KITV reports.
The Honolulu EMS ambulance caught fire while parked at Queen’s Medical Center on June 26. The medics had taken the patient into the emergency department, leaving the ambulance empty when it caught fire, according to KITV.
The ambulance was locked, but the engine was running. No one was injured.
In 2022, an ambulance fire killed a patient and critically injured a paramedic.
“I think with any incident, there is always some fear or anxiety that is increased,” EMS Deputy Director Ian Santee said. “But this vehicle fire specifically appears to be just the engine compartment.”
The ambulance in the recent fire was a 2008 Ford 350 XLT with 230,000 miles. The engine was changed in 2019 and has 65,000 miles on it.
Santee said the fire underscores the importance of safety measures, such as securing equipment and conducting annual inspections.
