HONOLULU — The Honolulu Emergency Medical Services is dividing Oahu into four districts — formerly it was three districts — and adding more operational staff, hoping to improve its emergency medical response. 

Four newly promoted District Chiefs will lead the fourth district, which covers Central Oahu and includes the EMS units stationed in Kahuku, Waialua, Wahiawa, Waipio and Aiea, according to a news release.  

The new District Chiefs will be tasked with helping EMS crews respond to critical calls and providing support to paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians by ensuring they have proper equipment and medications, according to Acting Chief of Operations Howard Fujimoto. 

Honolulu EMS named Sonya Austin, Theresa McGregor, Crista Broxson and Spencer Yamamoto as the new District Chiefs. 

“We are proud of our new District Chiefs. They are veteran paramedics who have shown great leadership skills. We also know the importance of being able to have more promotional opportunities for our field personnel to allow them growth in their careers,” said EMS Director Jim Ireland.

With the promotions, EMS now has 18 District Chiefs, 22 Paramedic Supervisors, 113 paramedics, 87 EMTs, four Communications Supervisors, and 16 communication personnel. The Department has a 5% vacancy rate and hopes to hire more EMTs in March.